Glynn Hickling: Trumpet
Caitlin French: Violin
Dushan Mitrovic: Clarinet
Mike Mueller: Tea Chest Bass
Maya Green: Violin
Taegan Hannah: Clarinet
Mikey O’Connor:Flute
Adam Ferguson: Guitar
David Hoxley: Tuba

Tzigas began in 2004 as a side project of world music band Umanee when Dushan and Adam decided to form a new band that would play wild Klezmer tunes along with high energy tunes from the Balkan region of Europe. Rehersals began but it was soon obvious that it would take time to master these forms.While Adam was travelling overseas Dushan met a group of Fitzroy buskers which included Mikey tea chest and mad Irish fiddler Andrais. A week later clarinet joined fiddle in a friday night residency at Fitzroy’s Babel. Over the next several weeks a band coalesced consisting of the above , Mikey flute, Glynn on trumpet and the Bulanyi bros. on guitars, playing a mixture of Django Reinhardt and Irish tunes with a sprinkle of Klezmer and Gypsy music.

Upon Adam’s return rehersals resumed, now utilising some of the Babel players and friends from the Bush Band. In May 2005 the Bulanyi bros. suddenly left the Friday night residency and a decision was made to fill the gap with the new Gypsy band which at this stage was months away from tunefullness. And thus was Tzigas born.

Large amounts of alcohol consumed by both band and patrons alike made the first few gigs bearable but Tzigas quickly built up a decent following with occasional guest performers such as Chris Tanner, Nena Simic, Don Stewart and others. Distinguished performers are still ecouraged to jam and regularly make appearances especially at residency gigs.

The name Tzigas is a corruption of the Slavic diminutive term Cige (Tsige) meaning Gypsies.