The Gypsy Hombres to Perform at Cumberland County Playhouse, 7/13

For years, there has been a persistent legend in Nashville about a crazy gypsy 'Fiddler on the Roof" who dances as he plays the violin on the roof of his Victorian house. Cumberland County Playhouse will prove the legend is 100% true as The Gypsy Hombres take the stage on Sunday, July 13. The fiddler in question is actually the group's co-founder and leader Peter Hyrka. The acoustic violin/guitar based trio is rounded out by Rory Hoffman on guitar and Jason Oettel on bass. The Hombres blend traditional jazz with European, South American, and classical music to create a sound unlike any other musical group. The Hombres' repertoire embraces a wide variety of composers and styles: from Brahms and Chopin to George Gershwin, Duke Ellington and Louis Armstrong to international folk songs, all while retaining the gypsy spirit. But besides just adding their own arrangements and personalities to standards, they are also accomplished composers with several original songs featured on their various recordings.

PureMusic.com called The Gypsy Hombres "as smokin' a string trio as one can hope to find," and No Country For New Nashville proclaimed them "some of best ... artists in Nashville." The Hombres are known for "rocking the house" with a captivating intensity. Equally at ease with swing, tangos, and waltzes, the Hombres provide plenty of inspiration for dancing, and their free spirit and natural improvisation can win over any audience.

Not just entertaining, their music is ideal for the serious listener, because of their high level of musical ability. In fact, their musicianship is so impressive, the Nashville Chamber Orchestra commissioned their composer in residence, Conni Ellisor, to write a piece incorporating some of the Hombres' original songs, melodies and riffs. The result was "Nuage de la Nuit", a twenty-seven minute tribute to the legendary gypsy guitarist Django Reinhardt, featuring the Gypsy Hombres. The performance was broadcast by National Public Radio. The Gypsy Hombres play in the Adventure Theater on July 13 at 2:30 PM. The concert is sponsored by Anderson's Shuttle Service.

Also at the Playhouse: Annie Get Your Gun starring Kellye Cash (rated G, sponsored by Plateau Pediatrics, firearms sponsor: Tabor's Pawn Shop) through July 11; Shrek the Musical (Rated G, co-sponsored by Comfort Suites/Holiday Inn Express/Hampton Inn and Gernt Insurance/Grange Insurance) through August 31; and Smoke on the Mountain, (Rated G, sponsored by Cracker Barrel Old Country Store), through August 8. Tickets and information are also available for Southern Stars Symphonic Brass and other events. All CCP productions are made possible through sponsor support, with additional support from the Tennessee Arts Commission and the National Endowment for the Arts.