Swing 42 are one of Aotearoa New Zealand's most enduring jazz manouche / gypsy swing bands, comprising some of our most dedicated and respected jazz musicians. They present exciting and dynamic performances in Ōtautahi Christchurch and elsewhere and have appeared in jazz festivals, open air concerts, and swing dance events. Swing 42 stretch out on music by the legendary Django Reinhardt as well as choice jazz and latin standards.

Gypsy swing is a sophisticated and appealing style emerging in France nearly 100 years ago, drawing on American jazz, European folk and classical music, as well as Eastern rhythms and tonalities. Swing 42 presents this music in fresh and evolving ways, using traditional gypsy manouche guitar, clarinet, saxophone and double bass. The individual performers’ diverse musical backgrounds are drawn together by their shared passion for this historical musical period. Their repertoire presents musical “riddles” to solve in the playful and adventurous context of group improvisation, making their performances unique and emotionally exhilarating listening experiences.

Swing 42 usually appear as a trio, comprising clarinet/alto saxophone, acoustic guitar and double bass. However this can be expanded with percussion for special occasions.  

Reuben Derrick (clarinet and saxophone) performs throughout New Zealand and around the world. In 2014 he graduated with a Doctor of Musical Arts in composition. In 2015 he received a Fulbright Fellowship to attend the Music Omi artist residence in New York. More recent appearances have been in Melbourne, Sydney, Auckland, Vienna, Ljubljana, Zagreb, Warsaw, Colombo and Wellington.

Keith Petch (guitar) has been playing gypsy jazz throughout NZ since the 80's and continues to explore this discipline with a passion. During recent years he has spent a lot of his time in Spain performing with European musicians.

Michael Kime (double bass) has played with many of New Zealand’s finest musicians in Jazz, Classical and Free Improvisation settings. Michael is a founding member of Christchurch’s celebrated Silencio Ensemble, contributing as a composer and holding the Double Bass chair. Michael has performed in Concert halls and venues in America, Japan and Dubai.

Ideal for: background or concert music for festival, corporate event, private party, wedding reception, European themed event.