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The Scene was our Illinois arts & culture podcast through 2017. Rachel Otwell curated the podcast which provided full-length stories and follow-ups, links to other reports, and conversations with you.This podcast contained a range of stories from the world of arts & culture, from visual art to Springfield's DIY music scene, to profiles of interesting local characters. The podcast was about what makes artists tick, and the diverse culture that exists within our community.

Live at the Suggs: Fumée Gypsy Project

Fumée Gypsy Project making music in the NPR Illinois Suggs Performance Studio.
Rachel Otwell
/
NPR Illinois | 91.9 UIS
Fumée Gypsy Project making music in the NPR Illinois Suggs Performance Studio."

Christy Bennett is a Springfield native who now lives in Chicago where she heads the band Fumée Gypsy Project. Bennett sings and plays accordian. The music they play is called “gypsy-jazz”, made popular by artists like Django Reinhardt. Bennett stopped by the Suggs Studio at WUIS with band mates Casey Nielsen (guitar) and Nate Baker (mandolin).

The band plays at Engrained Brewing Company in Springfield (1120 W. Lincolnshire Blvd.) on Thursday night from 8-10pm. Listen to a produced piece that includes segments from an interview and performance: 

   Listen to the songs played in their entirety here:

fummesongs.mp3
Songs played in order: My Blue Heaven by Walter Donaldson, Bei Dir War Es Immer So Schön by Emil Stern, Douce Ambiance by Django Reinhardt, Russian Lullaby by Irving Berlin

Thanks to WUIS Engineer Greg Manfroi for recording the performance. 

Live at the Suggs logo
Randy Eccles
/
NPR Illinois | 91.9 UIS

Rachel Otwell of the Illinois Times is a former NPR Illinois reporter.
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