The term Gipsy music refers to the entire musical range of this people from which, over the centuries, two important genres have developed: Flamenco and Gipsy jazz or French Jazz Manouche (that of the Gypsy bands).
Music is a fundamental aspect of Gypsy culture: it is first and foremost a means of transmitting values and traditions, it is based on improvisation and is handed down from father to son.
Working extensively as merchants and entertainers in many places, they became known as musicians, and the long distances traveled introduced a multitude of influences. In fact, it is difficult to define the parameters of a unique Gypsy musical style, as there are many differences in melodic, harmonic, rhythmic, and formal structures from region to region.
This particular folk music is mainly vocal and consists of slow, mournful songs and fast melodies that can be accompanied by dances. The sound of the instruments is often accompanied by tongue clicking, hand clapping, sounds of wooden spoons, and other techniques.
The rich variety of the different musical traditions of the Gypsies meet once a year in Saintes Maries de la Mer, the patron saint of the Gypsies, to celebrate and rejoice together, playing and singing day and night. For an entire week, in the streets of this Camargue village, one can hear Gypsy violins, flamenco rumbas, Balkan songs, and Gipsy jazz tunes.
The most influential musician is undoubtedly Django Reinhardt, who despite an accident in his youth that cost him the loss of two fingers of his left hand, developed a revolutionary guitar technique that made him the greatest interpreter of Jazz Manouche.
Many groups have formed in the wake of his talent, including Gipsy Kings and Goran Bregovic.
