Django Reinhardt

Biography

Django Reinhardt, born Jean Baptiste Reinhardt on January 23, 1910 in Liberchies, Belgium, was a Belgian-born Romani jazz guitarist and composer who lived most of his life in France[1][3][4]. Growing up in a family of Romani gypsies, Django was surrounded by amateur musicians and began playing the violin before switching to banjo and guitar[4]. At age 12, he received his first instrument, a six-string banjo-guitar, and quickly became a skilled, self-taught performer, playing on street corners and in cafes[2].

In 1928, Reinhardt suffered a devastating injury in a caravan fire, leaving his left hand severely burned and partially paralyzed[2][4]. Despite losing the use of two fingers, he painstakingly taught himself to play guitar again, developing a unique technique that allowed him to voice chords and execute dazzling solos with only his index and third fingers[2][4]. Inspired by jazz greats like Louis Armstrong, Reinhardt became entranced by the genre and soon mastered improvisation[4][6]. In 1934, he co-founded the Quintette du Hot Club de France with violinist Stéphane Grappelli, pioneering a new style that blended Gypsy heritage with swing jazz and featured the guitar as a lead instrument[1][3][6].

Reinhardt's career flourished as he toured Europe, recorded with American jazz legends such as Coleman Hawkins and Benny Carter, and even toured the United States with Duke Ellington's orchestra in 1946[1][2][3][6]. His compositions, including "Minor Swing," "Nuages," and "Djangology," became standards of gypsy jazz, and his melodic improvisations and technical innovations profoundly influenced jazz guitar[1][3][6]. Reinhardt died suddenly of a brain hemorrhage in Fontainebleau, France on May 16, 1953, but his legacy endures through annual Django festivals and the continued reverence of guitarists worldwide[1][4][6].

Fun Facts

• Django Reinhardt was largely illiterate and learned music by ear, never formally reading sheet music[4].
• He played most of his career with only two functional fingers on his left hand due to a fire injury[2][4].
• His nickname 'Django' means 'I awake' in the Romani language[4].
• He popularized the Selmer-Maccaferri guitar, making it the reference instrument for gypsy jazz[6].

Musical Connections

Mentors/Influences

• Louis Armstrong - Reinhardt discovered jazz through Armstrong's recordings, which inspired him to devote his life to jazz. (Armstrong's 'Dallas Blues' recording) [late 1920s]

Key Collaborators

• Stéphane Grappelli - Violinist and co-founder of the Quintette du Hot Club de France; Reinhardt's musical partner for 15 years. (Quintette du Hot Club de France recordings) [1934–1949]
• Coleman Hawkins - Recorded together in France during Hawkins' visits. (Collaborative recordings in France) [1930s–1940s]
• Benny Carter - Recorded together in France. (Collaborative recordings) [1930s–1940s]
• Duke Ellington - Reinhardt toured the United States with Ellington's orchestra. (1946 U.S. tour) [1946]
• Hubert Rostaing - Recorded the famous track 'Nuages' together. ('Nuages') [1940s]

Artists Influenced

• Frank Vignola - Jazz guitarist who cited Reinhardt as a major influence. (Gypsy jazz performances and recordings) [late 20th–21st century]
• Henri Salvador - French singer and guitarist influenced by Reinhardt's style. (Collaborations and solo work) [1940s–1950s]
• Nearly every major popular music guitarist - Reinhardt's technical innovations and improvisational style influenced generations of guitarists across genres. (Gypsy jazz standards, guitar technique) [1940s–present]

Discography

Albums

Top Tracks

1. Minor Swing (Djangologie Vol6 / 1937)
2. Brazil (Django Reinhardt: Legendary Recordings)
3. I'll See You in My Dreams (Djangologie Vol9 / 1939 - 1940)
4. Out of Nowhere (All Star Sessions)
5. Beyond The Sea (La Mer) (Djangology 49)
6. Django's Tiger (Djangologie Vol15 / 1946 - 1947)
7. Honeysuckle Rose (Djangologie Vol.4 / 1937)
8. Improvisation on Tchaikowsky's "Pathétique" Andante (The Essential Django Reinhardt)
9. Anniversary Song (Django Reinhardt: Legendary Recordings)
10. All of Me (Django Reinhardt: Legendary Recordings)

External Links

• Spotify
• Wikipedia
• MusicBrainz

Tags: #belgian, #continental-jazz, #guitar