Nora
Senior Member
DJANGO REINHARDT
Django Reinhardt (born January 23, 1910) was a Belgian-born, Romani French jazz guitarist and composer, regarded as one of the greatest musicians of the twentieth century. He was the first jazz talent to emerge from Europe and remains the most significant by far. Reinhardt lost most control of two fingers on his left hand in a fire in his youth. He developed a modified technique to overcome it and went on to forge an entirely new 'hot' jazz guitar style, now known as Gypsy jazz, or jazz manouche, that remains a musical tradition in France and neighbouring countries—especially within Gypsy culture. Reinhardt's innovations on the guitar helped elevated it above its prior position as usually only a rhythm instrument. Born in a trailer and part of a gypsy nomadic culture, Reinhardt is regarded as one of the greatest guitar players of all time, and the first important European jazz musician to make a major contribution with jazz guitar.
With virtuoso violinist Stéphane Grappelli, Reinhardt formed the Paris-based Quintette du Hot Club de France in 1934. 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, and briefly toured the United States with Louis Armstrong and Duke Ellington's orchestra in 1946. Reinhardt's most popular compositions have become standards within gypsy jazz, including Minor Swing, Daphne, Belleville, Djangology, Swing '42, and Nuages. Jazz guitarist Frank Vignola claims that nearly every major popular-music guitarist in the world has been influenced by Reinhardt. During his career he wrote nearly 100 songs, according to jazz guitarist Frank Vignola. Using a Selmer Guitar in the mid-1930s, his style took on new volume and expressiveness. His devotees included classical guitarist Julian Bream and country guitarist Chet Atkins, who considered him one of the ten greatest guitarists of the twentieth century. The Allman Brothers Band song "Jessica" was written by Dickey Betts in tribute to Reinhardt.
Discography
Songs & Videos
Swing 41
Stardust
Jattendrai Swing
I'll See You in My Dreams
Minor Swing
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