Home » Member Page

Dave Kelbie

Rhythm guitarist to many Jazz soloists and Gypsy musicians

About Me

”Dave Kelbie's rhythm guitar is a joy in itself, firm but relaxed, clearly executed but never obtrusive. Dave knows exactly the best chord voicing for every moment and will add spice with the occasional flourish or series of brisk arpeggios reminiscent of Eddie Lang” Charles Alexander

His Quartet Lejazz and Fapy Lafertin released the iconic CDs Swing Guitars in 1994 and Hungaria in 1996, two seminal recordings that are as majestic for their music as they are for their sound – and viewed by many as the definitive Gypsy jazz albums since the last recorded releases of Quintet of the Hot Club of France. Out of print for nearly ten years they were re-released in 2013 to much acclaim as the double album 94-96 The Recordings. These were the debut recordings on the lejazzetal label and set the stage for a relationship with music production resulting in an exclusive catalogue of 22 titles. Through his alliance with Fapy Lafertin have come performances with musicians such as Hungarian violinist Roby Lakatos, Tcha Limberger, Bireli Lagrene, Mozes Rosenberg, Angelo Debarre and Lollo Meier.

After dissolving the Lafertin band he formed another quartet with the very celebrated French guitarist Angelo Debarre in 2002, an electrifying group that reignited interest in the mostly ignored later period compositions of Django Reinhardt. Featuring the great British violinist Christian Garrick the group toured for seven years to much critical acclaim from audience and media alike.

The groundbreaking UK-based multi-national Balkan music cooperative Szapora was a noteworthy departure from the jazz genre. Formed in 1996 as The Budapest Cafe orchestra, the band headed the Balkan music scene in Europe and the UK for a number of years, consistently featuring some of the finest European musicians and electrified audiences the world over.

In 2008 Kelbie started working with Australian multi-instrumentalist and vocalist George Washingmachine in the mostly Australian and very swinging George Washingmachine Quartet. The Quartet’s debut was at the Miri international jazz festival where they recorded the album Room 301 Sessions and toured throughout Europe for a number of years.

For 25 years he has held the rhythm guitar seat to UK guitar legend John Etheridge and his band Sweet Chorus, and more recently London’s super stylish vintage jazz band The Dime Notes with UK pianist and composer Sam Watts and clarinetist David Horniblow.

With a recent project; a seven year stretch with New Orleans clarinetist Evan Christopher and the mutli-award winning project Django a la Creole, Kelbie has become one of the most sought after rhythm guitarists on the world stage. He continues to work with New Orleans banjoist/guitarist Don Vappie in the recently formed very distinguished group, Jazz Creole and very new Stuff Smith styled project called The Viper Club with Tcha Limberger and Parisian trumpeter Jerome Etcheberry.

the rhythmic rumbling of a folksy freight train • Raul de Gama - Jazz da Gama USA

Kelbie with a remarkable rhythm on his guitar delivers an impressive performance • Holly Moors - Moors Magazine, Holland

Kelbie always provides propulsive rhythm guitar • Kenny Mathieson - Inverness Courrier

Dave Kelbie’s rhythm guitar is undoubtedly one of the best in the world • John-Pierre Jackson - Classica

Kelbie is the motor tonight, providing a strict, subtle pulse - whatever the tempo • John Walters - The Guardian

Kelbie maintains the pulse flawlessly at any speed from zero to a hundred and twenty • Ian Mann - Jazzmann

Sweet Chorus is propelled by the partnership of the guitarist Dave Kelbie and the bassist Malcolm Creese • Clive Davis - The Times

The Rolls-Royce and Jaguar of British rhythm sections • Sebastien Lege - Djangostation

Dave Kelbie produced such a solid percussive rhythm you could hear why the original Quintette didn’t use a drummer • Keith Clark - Crackerbox

Lejazzetal, set up by Kelbie in 1989, has won international recognition for starting and promoting the highest quality jazz and European Gypsy music projects on tour worldwide. At the core of the company’s work is a strong emphasis on Gypsy culture through which has come partnerships with many of Europe’s most gifted Roma musicians.

Lejazzetal Records has become a leading company in representing acoustic jazz and Gypsy music internationally. Started in 1990 with the first release by Manouche guitarist Fapy Lafertin, and the latest by Tcha Limberger’s Budapest Gypsy Orchestra. High praise has come for the select catalogue of 23 titles including many awards.