13 February, 2007

Django, The Man

Jean Baptiste “Django” Reinhardt - born January 23, 1910 in Belgium - is one of the most influential jazz musicians to come from Europe. Both violinist and guitarist, Django created a gypsy-jazz guitar sound influenced by his childhood spent in a gypsy camp near Paris. A guitar legend using a Selmer Maccaferi acoustic guitar for most of his life, Django’s brilliance came from his ability to solo and improvise around a steady rhythm. This talent was showcased on such hits as “Daphne” and “Minor Swing.”


Reinhardt overcame more than a few obstacles in his career. In the early years Django badly burned his hand, and throughout his life he was unable to read music. These trials did not stop him from pursuing the life of a jazz musician and becoming a legendary guitarist. For may years, Django played with violinist Stephane Grapelli, starting the The Quintet of the Hot Club of France in 1934. The Quintet played original tunes as well as covers of Louis Armstrong hits enjoying a fairly successful run, but dissolved in 1939. Later in his career, Django toured with Duke Ellington in the United States, but was not met with much interest.


In 1953, Django died, a victim of stroke in Paris. After only 43 years of life, he had created a jazz guitar-playing style that would influence musicians across the globe for years to come. Oddly enough, Django’s music has been featured in such movies as Chocolat and The Matrix Reloaded. Despite his poor welcome in the United States, Django Reinhardt has affected American music with his infectious and unclassifiable guitar playing. Noted musicians from Carlos Santana to Jerry Garcia have claimed Reinhardt as an influence. My personal favorite Django Reinhardt tunes are “Rhythm Futur”, “The World Is Waiting For the Sunrise”, and “Menilmontant.”


For more information regarding Django Reinhardt, read his short biography on Allmusic.com or a longer bio on Wikipedia.org!

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