Ultrafaux Ensemble

Baltimore-based Ultrafaux Ensemble, led by guitarist/composer Michael Joseph Harris, performs original acoustic music influenced by Django Reinhardt, Balkan music, be-bop, afro-cuban, funk, Brazilian Choro, and French musette. The band is an acoustic powerhouse featuring two guitarists who share lead roles, trading dazzling solos over rich harmonies. The band includes violin, accordion, and clarinet for it's 4th album "Tangent" set for release in March 2020.

Ultrafaux has performed at top jazz festivals all over the world including Django by the Sea, Django-a-gogo, Festival Django Reinhardt in France, Midwest Gypsy swing Festival, Preston Jazz and Improvisation Festival UK, The John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts, Charm City Django Jazz Festival, Napa Valley Jazz Society, IMT Folk Series and recently won a scholarship to attend the folk Alliance International conference in New Orleans 2020.

Tracks from Ultrafaux and Hot Club of Baltimore albums were featured on Django Festival volume #9, #10, #11, and #13, a compilation of the finest Gypsy Jazz in the world produced by Jon Larsen.

Michael Joseph Harris is the founder and artistic director for Charm City Django Jazzfest, the only annual Jazz festival in Baltimore. He has been featured multiple times in The Baltimore Sun, on CBS News, WTMD, WPFW and was recognized as one of the top ten musicians in 2016 by Baltimore Style Magazine.

Quotes from the press:

"We sometimes forget that jazz was first and foremost a people's music meant for dancing and socializing. One evening with Ultrafaux demonstrates why jazz has been so irresistible to listeners all over the world." Ken Avis, BJA

"Baltimore's own authentic gypsy jazz band featured on Baltimore Hit Parade." WTMD

"The fresh faces of gypsy jazz right here in our own backyard." Tom Cole, WPFW & NPR