DJANGO REINHARDT

FAMILY BACKGROUND  Real Name: Jean Reinhardt  Born in Belgium to a family of Romani (gypsy) decent.  Mom was a dancer, Dad was an entertainer.  Django means “I awake” in Romani

EARLY YEARS  Grew up in a gypsy settlement outside Paris.  Received very little formal education almost illiterate – words and music!  Loved music at an early age. First played violin and banjo, then switched to guitar.  Began working professionally at age 13. First recordings were of him playing banjo.

1928: CARAVAN FIRE  First and second degree burns all over his body.  Right leg paralyzed, Mutation of left hand: Fourth and fifth fingers were badly burned and were partially paralyzed.  Doctors believed he would never play guitar again – wanted to amputate.

1928: CARAVAN FIRE  Django refused – relearned how to play guitar  Led to a unique fingering method  Played all of his solos with only two fingers  Used injured fingers for chords.

WORKED IN PARIS CAFES  Just plays guitar now. This is where he first hears American jazz.  Founder (with Stephane Grappelli) of the Quintette du Hot Club du France  Gained notoriety before WWII & became an international celebrity – toured Europe, recorded with Americans and European musicians.

WWII  People are fleeing German-controlled territories.  Grappelli goes to Britain, Reinhardt stays in France.  Survives war (many gypsies were killed by Nazis). Perhaps had help by jazz-loving ranking officers???  Attempts to leave occupied France.  Led a big band, formed a new quintet, composed some, scored a film, etc.

TOURING WITH DUKE  1946: Tours with Duke Ellington’s band.  Played amplified guitar for the first time.  Played at Carnegie Hall.  Continued working in NYC. Played four solo shows a day!!!

RETURN TO FRANCE  Toured and recorded with his quintet, sometimes with Grappelli.  Returned to his gypsy roots – found it hard to adjust to modern life  Often showed up to concerts without guitar or amp  Erratic behavior, very unpredictable.  1949: Djangology – Final recording (with Grappelli)

FINAL YEARS  Retires to small village in France Still holds a jazz festival in his honor  Continued playing  Died of a brain hemorrhage

LEGACY  Revival of his music in the 1960s.  Influenced many modern guitarists Jimmy Page, Jeff Beck, Eric Clapton Jeff Beck: Django Reinhardt is “by far the most astonishing guitar player ever,” and he is “quite superhuman.”  Other guitarists who lost fingers were inspired: Jerry Garcia (Grateful Dead) and Tony Iommi (Black Sabbath)

JERRY GARCIA QUOTE  “His technique is awesome! Even today, nobody has really come to the state that he was playing at. As good as players are, they haven’t gotten to where he is. There’s a lot of guys that play fast and a lot of guys that play clean, and the guitar has come a long way as far as speed and clarity go, but nobody plays with the whole fullness of expression that Django has. I mean, the combination of incredible speed – all the speed you could possibly want – but also the thing of every note have a specific personality. You don’t hear it. I really haven’t heard it anywhere but with Django.”

CHARACTERISTICS  Guitar virtuoso  Excellent accompanist Remarkable technique Grasp of harmony Rhythmic Sense

CHARACTERISTICS  Developed into a soloist Very unique, deeply personal style “gypsy-jazz” sound The first outstanding European jazz musician (Improvised) Melodic resourcefulness and mastery of inflection Remarkable sensitivity Romantic style 1940s – switched to electric, still kept his style Flexible improvisation

VIDEO 