Gypsy, Roma, Traveller Inspiration

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Gypsy, Roma and Traveller culture has provided inspiration to non-Gypsy people in many areas, for example, in music, art, literature and clothing as well as in research into Gypsy, Roma and Traveller communities themselves. Here are just a few examples

• Gypsy Jazz - The kind of music that was developed by the famous Gypsy guitarist Django Reinhardt is played now by both Gypsy and non-Gypsy musicians
  The Gypsy Jazz entry in the Gypsy Jazz Encyclopaedia gives you a brief definition
  There is an interesting article with many photos and links to more resources at the Gypsy Jazz page of the Concert Jazz web site. For video clips of Django Reinhardt playing, click the link 'About Django'
• Classical and popular music - Log in to the e-resources and access Oxford Music Online and enter the word 'gypsy'. Search results will include information both about Gypsy musicians and about musicians who have performed, or were influenced by, Gypsy music, along with musical works inspired by Gypsy life
  There is an interesting magazine article The Gypsy Influence in European Music on the European Commission's 'Europe in the UK' web site
• Images of Gypsies in art - Log in to the e-resources and access Credo Reference, click the topic link 'Art', then enter the word 'gypsy' in the search box. You will see many art images inspired by Gypsy life. Click any image to see it enlarged'
• Artists inspired by gypsy life - Log in to the e-resources and access Oxford Art Online, enter the word 'gypsy' in the 'Search by title' box. Many results tell you about artists who have included images of gypsies in their work. One or these was the British artist Augustus John, who, inspired by learning about the Romany language and way of life, spent time travelling with his family in gypsy caravans through Wales and England
• Early scholars and writers on Gypsy, Roma, Traveller culture - At Romani Cymru - Romany Wales Project, click 'Welsh Gypsies' then click 'Gypsy scholars' to read about some of the scholars working in the 19th and early 20th centuries: George Borrow, Francis Hindes Groome and Dr John Sampson as well as the artist Augustus John
  You can read more about these individuals if you Log in to the e-resources and access Oxford Dictionary of National Biography
  
• You can also read some of their books online. See details at Complete early books online

Page last updated: 26th November 2013