Reinhardt, Django (Jean Baptiste)

Reinhardt, Django (Jean Baptiste) , legendary jazz guitarist; b. Liberchies, Belgium, Jan. 23, 1910; d. Fontainebleau, France, May 16, 1953. He was born of gypsy stock in a caravan, and grew up on the edges of Paris. Though it is usually said that he was totally illiterate, at least one purported autograph survives (from Milan, 1949). His uncle taught him the basics of the banjo, and from the age of 12, he played in bands in local cafes and bars and at dances. He lost the use of two fingers on his left hand, essential for fretting notes, in a fire in 1928; in photographs, the pinky and ring finger appear to be almost welded to the middle finger. He taught himself a completely new method of fingering, and then taught himself to play the guitar using this new technique. From 1928–34, he backed singers on recordings. On his early recordings, there are no solos, just accompaniment and an occasional fill. Introduced to jazz via Louis Armstrong records in 1931, he was also influenced by Eddie Lang; he became the favorite accompanist of popular singer Jean Sablon. He bumped into Stephane Grappelli backstage one day and after jamming on “Dinah,” the two organized the Quintette de la Club Hot de France in 1934. The group was unusual in its line up of violin, solo guitar, two rhythm guitars, and bass, but became one of the most admired and adventurous musical collaborations ever. In 1946, he made a brief tour of the U.S. playing electric guitar with the Duke Ellington band. His many intriguing compositions include “Nuages,” Django’s Castle,” and “Bolero.” His admirers include Charlie Christian, Les Paul, Wes Montgomery, and B.B. King, among many others.

His brother, Joseph (Nin Nin; b. Paris, France, March 1, 1912; d. there, late Feb. 1982) played rhythm guitar with the Quintette. After Django’s death in 1953, he led a quintet and made several recordings.

Discography

Rare Django (1928); Quintette of the Hot Club of France (1947); Pèche a La Mouche (1947); Swing Guitar (1945); Paris 1945 (1945); “Swing De Paris” (1947); Djangology 49 (1949); At Club St. Germain (1951); Nuages (Arcadia Jazz) (1997); Djangology (series).

Bibliography

D. Schulz-Kohn, Diango Reinhardt: ein Portrat (Wetzlar, Germany, 1960); R. Spautz, Diango Reinhardt: Mythos und Realite (Luxembourg, 1984); P. Williams, Django Reinhardt (Montpellier, France, 1991); C. Delaunay, Django Reinhardt: Souvenirs (Paris, 1954); Abrams, The Book of Django (Los Angeles, 1973); A. Schmitz and P. Maier, Django Reinhardt: Sein Leben, seine Musik, seine Schallplatten (Gauting-Buchendorf, 1985).

—Lewis Porter/Music Master Jazz and Blues Catalogue