Wednesday 16 May 2007

Introducing DJANGO REINHARDT


I was first introduced to Django Reinhardt by a teacher in school, but it wasn't until I was a little older and saw Woody Allen's Sweet & Lowdown that I really delved into his work. And since I mention it, Sweet & Lowdown is the last film from Woody Allen that really knocked my socks off. A real bittersweet work full of regret and self destruction with great performances from Sean Penn and Samantha Morton. Here is the trailer...


Born in Belgium, Django spent his youth in gypsy encampments around Paris learning to play violin, banjo, and guitar for which he played professional at the Bal-musette halls in Paris. Injured in a fire at 18, he was left with paralysis of two fingers which he used for some chords. Despite this, he went on to become one of the most talented and influential guitarists of all time.

His music is deceptively light, full of life, ghostly, and tinted with hints of melancholy if you listen hard enough. Here are a few performances captured on film. Look at all those beautiful cigarettes...


Links:
Django Reinhardt Wiki
RedHotJazz.com
ClassicJazzGuitar.com

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