Jean Reinhardt (23 January 1910 – 16 May 1953), known by his stage name Django Reinhardt….as a Belgian-born Romani-French jazz guitarist and composer…..who was the first jazz talent to emerge from Europe….and remains the most significant still today in 2020.
With violinist Stéphane Grappelli, Reinhardt formed the Paris-based Quintette du Hot Club de France in 1934….as the group was among the first to play jazz that featured the guitar as a lead instrument. Reinhardt recorded in France with many visiting American musicians, including Coleman Hawkins and Benny Carter….while briefly touring the United States with Duke Ellington’s orchestra in 1946. He died suddenly of a stroke at the age of 43.
Reinhardt’s most popular compositions have become standards within gypsy jazz, including “Minor Swing”, “Daphne”, “Belleville”, “Swing ’42”, “Nuages” and “Djangology”….as performed in this video herewith in 1981 on the stage at Austin City Limits by Ray Benson + Asleep at the Wheel along with legendary fiddler Johnny Gimble and clairinete virtuoso John Mills.
Jazz guitarist Frank Vignola claims that nearly every major popular-music guitarist in the world has been influenced by Reinhardt….as evidenced by annual Django festivals have been held throughout Europe and the U.S…..and a biography has been written about his life over the last few decades. In February 2017, the Berlin International Film Festival held the world premiere of the French film Django.
