Before the birth of the Bebop era, "Gypsy Jazz" of Django Reinhardt and "Le Hot Club De France," was immensely popular, especially in Europe. Incidentally, many of the musicians who brought American Jazz to Europe (e.g. Sidney Bechet) got their start in the Dixieland marching bands of New Orleans. By replacing string bass of the standard "Django" ensemble with the virtuosic tuba playing of Oleg Ruvinov, Dixie Gypsy's unique interpretations of well-known classics recreate this happy match of New Orleans swing and Gypsy passion.

Oleg Ruvinov (Band Leader) - started as a tuba and bassoon player in middle school and studied classical music and jazz in College. 1985 - 1990 - studied in Gnesyn's musical Academy in Moscow, Russia. 1991-96 - Soloist of a Lundstrem State jazz orchestra. He played with all major Russian jazz musicians of post-Soviet era and frequently toured around Russia, Spain, Finland, Poland, Germany, Israel, Egypt, Greeks, Italy and Switzerland. Since 1997, he lives and performs in Seattle, Washington.

Yusuf Kilgore is an accomplished guitarist, teacher, and composer known for his versatility. He a B.A. in Folklore & Ethnomusicology at Indiana University, studied at the IU School of Music, played at cafes in Paris and Berlin, and now plays a variety of styles including Brazilian choro, gypsy jazz, Americana, Latin jazz, salsa, funk, R&B, and bluegrass. He has taught guitar ensembles at Seattle Waldorf Highschool, and has led workshops on gypsy jazz and bluegrass at Wintergrass Bluegrass Festival. He leads his own group Swing Soiree as a premiere act for entertaining at weddings and special events

Jim Char has over 35 years of experience as a musician/performer. Born and raised in Honolulu, Hawaii, he moved to Washington after studying at the famed Guitar Institute in California. His loves the swing music of the 20's and 30's, as well as songs from the Great American Songbook. Also an educator, Jim has taught for 27 years as a school teacher and holds a Masters Degree in Education. He currently teaches choir and drama to middle school kids. Jim has also written 8 full length musicals which he has produced. He has taught the Gypsy Jazz Workshops at the Wintergrass Bluegrass Festival for the last 2 years Jim Char also leads the band, Hot Club of Seattle, in the tradition of Django's Hot Club of Paris.