Antwerp Gipsy Ska Orkestra

Antwerp Gipsy-Ska Orkestra is a seven-piece band from Belgium that blends Roma gipsy melodies with danceable ska. The group performs at The Jam Jar in Bristol.

The Antwerp Gipsy-Ska Orkestra is a band of seven musicians with varied backgrounds from different parts of the world. They combine the raw energy of Roma gipsy melodies with the danceable groove of ska, and their name reflects Antwerp, the Belgian port whose long history as a meeting point of cultures shapes the band's mix of influences.

On stage, the group is energetic and confident, moving between melodies that feel joyful and others that feel melancholy. Their playing includes improvised passages in the manner of a jazz combo, and they draw on a wide range of styles and rhythms that stretch what ska can sound like. They have toured widely across Europe, including Ukraine, Spain, Portugal, Italy, the UK, France, Switzerland, Austria, Hungary, the Czech Republic and the Netherlands, and have also played in Ulan-Ude in the Republic of Buryatia. Their festival appearances include Dour, Lowlands, Sziget (twice) and Life Festival Oswiecim, and they have opened for Peter Gabriel.

The Jam Jar is a Bristol venue that hosts concerts and shows. The evening includes a support act alongside the band, and it suits listeners who enjoy danceable music with live improvisation.