Django Reinhardt
photo: william p. gottlieb / adam cuerden · public domain ↗Jean 'Django' Reinhardt (1910-1953), a Belgian-born Romani guitarist who spent his life in France, was the first European jazz virtuoso and the founder, with violinist Stéphane Grappelli, of the string-driven 'gypsy jazz' of the Quintette du Hot Club de France. After a caravan fire badly burned his left hand in 1928, he rebuilt his technique around two fretting fingers, producing a dazzling, singing lead-guitar voice that had no precedent. His melodic invention and swing made him one of the most influential guitarists of the twentieth century.
Reinhardt's melodic, vocal-like phrasing and his taste for the hot, soaring solo came from American jazz — above all the records of Louis Armstrong, whose horn lines he translated onto the guitar.
listen forPlay Armstrong's 'West End Blues,' then Django's 'Dinah' — the same soaring, singing improvised line that floats free and easy over the beat.
Reinhardt revered Duke Ellington's compositions and rich harmony, keeping his tunes in the repertoire; the mutual admiration was real enough that Django toured the United States with Ellington's orchestra in 1946.
listen forPlay Ellington's 'Solitude,' then Django's own recording of 'Solitude' — hear him lift the languid melody and wrap it in shivering, deeply expressive guitar.
Eddie Lang, the first great jazz guitar soloist, established the single-string lead and chordal accompaniment that Reinhardt built upon as he pushed the guitar to the front of the band.
listen forPlay Lang's delicate solo 'April Kisses,' then Django's 'Djangology' — the same idea of the guitar as a singing lead voice rather than a background rhythm instrument.