ULTRAFAUX: Ultrafaux Ensemble, led by composer and guitarist Michael Joseph Harris, performs original music inspired by Gypsy Jazz, French Musette, Funk, Blues, be-bop, Brazilian Choro, and Western swing. Ultrafaux has been featured at top festivals all over the world including Festival Django Reinhardt in France, Midwest Gypsy Swingfest, Django-a-Gogo, Django By The Sea, Djangoary, Carrboro Django Jazzfest, Django Birthday Festival, Napa Valley Jazz Society, Preston Jazz and Improvisation Festival, The Kennedy Center, and Charm City Django Jazzfest. Harris’ songs “Latcho Dromo” and “Signs of Struggle” were featured on Django Festival a compilation of the finest Gypsy Jazz in the world produced by Jon Larsen in Oslo. Ultrafaux was the first Gypsy Jazz band to be featured at Charm City Bluegrass Festival and Folk Alliance International, showing their unique ability to thrive in non-jazz markets. Their latest album Tangent released in March 2020 crosses barriers between genre and style while remaining rooted in Gypsy Jazz. Harris is also the founder and artistic director for Charm City Django Jazz Fest, the only annual Jazz festival in Baltimore, Maryland since 2016.
“One of the most talented Baltimore musicians out there.” – Marc Shapiro, Baltimore Style Magazine
“Ultrafaux breathes new life into jazz, while holding onto the sense of nostalgia that makes this genre so timeless and appealing in the first place.” — Sam Sessa, WTMD
“These musicians can handle the complexities and breakneck speeds of Roma swing, but what makes Ultrafaux really special is that they play original music.” — Tom Cole, WPFW & NPR
“Ultrafaux’s original compositions compare favorably to classic Hot Club tunes. They update the tradition and bring the swing into the 21st century.” — Paul Hartman, Detour, WTMD
“Ultrafaux brings the swinging manouche style bang up to-to-date. The all instrumental album is true to the roots of Gypsy jazz, employing many of the trademark elements…including virtuoso guitars and liquid, swinging bass lines.” — Ken Avis, Baltimore Jazz Alliance
