The Candlelight Garden Concerts series at Hancock church concludes Wednesday, July 22nd featuring Gypsy Jazz with Swing 440!

The Swing440 duo, violinist Tomoko Iwamoto and guitarist Jack Soref, bring the spirited tradition of Gypsy jazz to life, drawing inspiration from the legendary Django Reinhardt and Stéphane Grappelli. Their vibrant sound—rooted in the swing era of the 1930’s and ’40s—is infused with a contemporary flair that’s sure to get toes tapping and audiences dancing!

Swing 440 brings the spirited tradition of Gypsy jazz to life, drawing inspiration from the legendary Django Reinhardt and Stéphane Grappelli. Their vibrant sound—rooted in the swing era of the 1930s and ’40s—is infused with a contemporary flair that’s sure to get toes tapping and audiences dancing.

Led by violinist and arranger Tomoko Iwamoto, a Berklee College of Music graduate in Jazz Composition, Swing 440 offers fresh takes on classic Gypsy jazz tunes, adding inventive twists that keep the tradition both alive and evolving. The band’s distinctive instrumentation—featuring violin and clarinet—creates a rich, nuanced blend that’s as intricate as it is accessible. Tomoko also contributes original compositions that feel like timeless standards, seamlessly woven into the set.

Since forming in 2013, Swing 440 has been a fixture in the New England music scene, performing at concert series and festivals such as The Fugitive Productions at Sanctuary, Newtonville Jazz Festival, Mandorla Music at the Eustis Estate, 19 Carter Summer Series, the Cultural Center of Cape Cod, Brookline Village Fair, Dot Jazz Series, WICN 90.5 FM at Mechanics Hall, and more. They’ve also graced the stages of intimate venues like the Homegrown and New Revival Coffeehouses.

Swing 440 has released two highly regarded albums: Why Why (2017) and Yo-ki Swing (2019), both showcasing their dynamic energy, musicianship, and love for the genre.