Caravan G.S.E.

Art in the cafe...

Laurel Statz


"The Spectator"


December 2025



Laurel Statz is a painter and Madison area native. Her work, while figurative, is influenced by abstraction and minimalism. The paintings often have a quick and instinctual nature, capturing just what’s needed. While she often times herself to eliminate extra details and over-precision, she has ventured into more detailed works as well. Laurel does not attach narrative to her pieces. Rather, she thinks of them like a journaling process for her scatter-brained psyche. The figures in the pieces are meant to be processing tools for the artist and the viewer. She hopes that seeing these figures helps the...
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Friday, November 5, 2010

Caravan Gypsy Swing Ensemble is an instrumental group based out of Madison, Wisconsin. They are primarily influenced by the legendary Gypsy guitarist DJANGO REINHARDT. The ensemble also pulls influences from jazz, swing, traditional Latin, Parisian waltzes, and other vintage-jazz sources. Expect a range of tunes from the "Hot Swing" repertoire, originals and classic tunes done in a uniquely arranged style.

Caravan G.S.E. has performed on Wisconsin Public Radio---s "Higher Ground with Jonathan Overby" program many times and have become a favorite of the show. They have also performed live on Madison---s WMMM 105.5 FM ("Jonathan and Kitty in the Morning") and WORT 89.9 FM ("The 8:00 Buzz" and "Mud Acres"). They have been featured on various music television shows around Wisconsin including "Hear for Your Listening Pleasure," and three episodes of Janesville's JATV12's "Arts Live Show," one of which received an award of merit from the Wisconsin Association of Public Access Channels.

Caravan G.S.E. Has had extensive concert series experience. They proudly shared the stage at Djangofest-Madison with Amsterdam---s Robin Nolan Trio. Later in the year Caravan G.S.E. joined the Clearwater Hotclub, Swing Gitan, and Harmonious Wail as part of the third annual Midwest Gypsy Swing Festival.

Other past festival highlights have included: The Isthmus Jazz Festival, Overture Center "After Work" concert series, Baraboo's Faire on the Square, The Sun Prairie Sweet Corn Festival, Wisconsin Dells River Walk Series, The Great Taste of the Midwest, and Madison's Art Fair Off the Square.