I first heard of Django Reinhardt in Woody Allen's movie, Sweet and Lowdown. Sean Penn's character was obsessed with Django.
Rosali | 10.15.07 - 1:21 am | #

That was great Jesse. I'm a huge fan of acoustic music. While I've heard this music, I've not seen any footage! Enoyed that!

Here's one of the bands that will perform at the New Mexico Djangofest next weekend:
http://www.myspace.com/hotclubofphoenix

Thanks
Myrtle June | Homepage | 10.15.07 - 2:59 am | #

I have a goodly pile of his records which I acquired in my numerous sojourns thru assorted Yurpeen countries back in the days before Napster and the innernets. Django was also a dark-skinned gypsy who survived the Nazi occupation of Paris mainly because some Nazi officers liked American jazz. His fiddler, Stephane Grapelli, was doing concerts here in the USA up to just a few years ago. (He is succeeded by an American youngster, Mark O'Connor, if you're innerested). Grapelli also recorded with a great American guitarist, Joe Pass (who hadn't? LOL).
Ronzoni Rigatoni | 10.15.07 - 3:28 am | #

I discovered Django about 25 or so years ago while I was in the USAF still. Thought he was genius then, still think that of him. Always a great listen.
Bubba Bo Bob Brain | 10.15.07 - 8:20 am | #

Thanks for the mention, once again, Jesse.
Lurch | Homepage | 10.15.07 - 10:52 am | #

Thanks for having such great stuff for me to refer people to. *smiles* I'm a big fan of your site.
Jesse Wendel | 10.15.07 - 1:20 pm | #

Django and Steph, one of the most amazing combos in jazz history. If you can find it, check out "Souvenirs," which has 20 original recordings of the Hot Club of France done in the '30s.

Grappelli also did a couple songs with fiddler extraordinaire Mark O'Connor on the album "Heroes" (Mark O'Connor's duets CD).

Wonderful vids!
Captain C | 10.15.07 - 4:37 pm | #

Thanks ,That was great and I'm sending it to my sister inlaw Musician down Astoria way.
Carrier vet | 10.15.07 - 10:23 pm | #

Doc, one HECK of an effort to share those vids with us mortals. Totally bitchen, and I thank you profusely.

I first heard of Django and Stephan in '74 or so, I was 21. A roommate in Monterey, CA was a MONSTER git player, and LOVED jazz. He was three years younger than I was . . . go figger.

I spent a year in Monterey, and learnt about and heard LIVE all kind of jazz . . bought records, yadda.

Then, in '76 or so, I heard Minor Swing, by Dawg, Tony Tone, Daryll, Todd and Bill The Bass Player (I think).

I flipped. And so I started to learn and listen to Django and Stephan . . .

I was fortunate to see a show at Great American Music Hall, with David Grisman Quintet that featured Stephan Grapelli, the second set. Recently downloaded that show, from dimeadozen.org FYI.

Swing Jazz. Django, and what he did to and for the git. And Charlie Christian was one of his influences . . . to think, for a fire, and a tragedy, Django mighta been a banjo player to his end.

Hell of a linky, hoss, and a hell of a tribute to one of THE seminal git pickers of any genre.

Hell, Django and Stephan and Hot Club Du France laid their mojo on mando players, 5 String players, git pickers, and even dobro kats.

And to this day, they still influence every genre out there, jazz to blue/new/progressive/gypsy swing grass.

Every fest I go to, be it puregrass or not, SOMEONE is gonna do a swing gypsy jazz tune, and Django and Stephan are at the heart of that.

*G*
larue | Homepage | 10.16.07 - 7:58 pm | #

Mag-flipping-nificent! I've been listening to him for years now, and never tire of him.

Those videos are excellent. Thanks for posting them!

[deciding to now listen to DR's Improvisation Of The First Movement Of The Concerto In D Minor By JS Bach]
Been There, Done That | 10.17.07 - 6:14 am | #

Be sure to count the fingers...
Nellcote | 10.17.07 - 11:40 am | #