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How did Django Reinhardt develop gypsy jazz guitar?
Django Reinhardt was Manouche Gypsy born in Belgium in
1910. He mainly lived around Paris. His musical career
began as a banjo-guitar player working with accordion players
in the "Bal-Musette" style. Beginning in the early 1930s, he
developed a new style of jazz referred to as Gypsy Jazz, Hot
Club style, Jazz Manouche, or Gypsy Swing. His primary
collaborator was the violinist Stephane Grappelli. This style
borrows from bal-musette style, Gypsy music in general, and
American jazz of the era. This style became focused through
Django’s Quintette du Hot Club de France. The basic group
relied on guitar and violin lead, two rhythm guitars, and an
upright bass. The group later incorporated other instruments,
including orchestral instrumentation. Django was an amazing
player with incredible creativity in composition and
improvisation, working closely with Grappelli. The music
exhibits great power, drive, and wonderful swing. Django
remains an inspiration today, especially to handicapped
players. His left had was burned in a fire at the age of 18,
leaving it partially useless. Django recorded extensively and
remains popular and greatly appreciated by jazz afficionados.
While Django’s later work used electric guitar, today’s interest
lies primarily with the earlier work and with later artists working
in that tradition.
Gypsy jazz also incorporated mandolin. The mandolinist Dave
Apollon played with Django in New York, although his style isn’
t quite Gypsy. Current artists include Evan Marshall and
Radim Zenkl.
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Gypsyjazzguitars.com
10091 Unitia Road
Friendsville, TN 37737
866 884 6546 toll free
mail@gypsyjazzguitars.com
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