Reinhardt, Django (Jean Baptiste)

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Reinhardt, Django (Jean Baptiste) (b Liberchies, 1910; d Fontainebleau, 1953). Belg. jazz guitarist. Burned in fire 1928, mutilation of left hand causing him to devise new fingering method. Worked with the singer Jean Sablon and the violinist Stephane Grappelli. Founder-member with Grappelli of Quintet du Hot Club de France, 1934. Visited London 1946 and toured USA as soloist with Ellington's orch. Can be claimed as first really great European jazz musician.

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