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Faux Frenchmen bring new sound to some old favorites

The Faux Frenchmen bring their eclectic jazz to the Midday Music at Oxford series Tuesday, Jan. 26, covering the Beatles and the Beach Boys, among others. Contributed photo

Submitted photo The Faux Frenchmen bring their eclectic jazz to the Midday Music at Oxford series Tuesday, Jan. 26, covering the Beatles and the Beach Boys, among others. Contributed photo

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By Eric Robinette, Staff Writer Updated 1:40 AM Monday, January 25, 2010

OXFORD — When a musical group calls itself the Faux Frenchmen, their music, as well as their name, are off the beaten path.

The group, based in the Cincinnati area, will play at the Midday Music at Oxford concert series at noon Tuesday, Jan. 26, bringing an unfamiliar sound to familiar-sounding hits, said Brian Lovely, who plays guitar. The show will be at the Oxford Presbyterian Church, 101 N. Main St.

The name Faux Frenchmen stems from the fact that the quartet is made up of Americans who play the “Gypsy Jazz” sound popularized at the Hot Club of France in the 1930s by the likes of Guitarist Django Reinhardt and violinist Stephane Grappelli.

“They were people influenced by American jazz during and after World War I,” Lovely said. “We have studied and absorbed it as best we can. We’re passing this back and forth and we bring our own eclectic influence.”

That means bringing the “Gypsy Jazz” sound to music where one might not expect it, such as the Beach Boys. The Faux Frenchmen play “God Only Knows” in their set.

“It’s just a group of instruments, so no music is out of bounds,” said Lovely, adding that other songs in their repertoire include “Girl” by the Beatles and the theme from “Spider-Man.”

The other members of the group are Don Aren on double bass, George Cunningham on acoustic guitar, and Paul Patterson on violin. The Faux Frenchmen have released two CDs and are working on a third that is expected to be released in the early summer, Lovely said.