A HAMPSHIRE-based gypsy jazz swing band is making a popular comeback to a top Southampton jazz spot.

The Manusa Project will be showcasing its inspirational genre of music at The Talking Heads in Portswood – home of the Southampton Jazz Club – tomorrow.

One of the oldest continuously running jazz clubs in the south, for 40 years it has been presenting a superb mix of local, national and international jazz.

The Manusa Project gig promises to a real treat for lovers of this very exhilarating form of jazz.

This unique musical combination is made of two guitars and double bass with visiting accordion, violin, clarinet or vocals.

Their repertoire includes many of the great jazz standards from the 30s, 40s and 50s, and Bossa Novas.

Many of the compositions are from the legendary jazz guitarist Django Reinhardt and iconic violinist Stephane Grappelli.

The Manusa Project is primarily a trio fronted by gypsy style swing guitarist Pete “Tiger” Sheppard.

He is backed by Chris White on rhythm guitar and Bastien Terraz on double bass, and Mike Piggott will making an appearance on violin.

Londoner Pete picked up one of his father’s guitars when he was about four years old but it was not until he was 13 that he cut his teeth on gypsy style swing.

His musical apprenticeship consisted mainly of playing as a guitar duo with his father, sailing and caravanning around France, busking at cafe bars and restaurants and often learning from gypsies themselves.

Pete is also a classical guitar player and has formed and played with various rock bands ever since his early teens when he also co-authored material for a jazz-funk band.

  • The Manusa Project, on Tuesday at The Talking Heads, Portswood Road, Portswood, Southampton. Doors open at 7.15pm. Contact 023 8067 8446.