Jean Reinhardt (23 January 1910 – 16 May 1953) stage name Django Reinhardt, was a Belgian-born Romani French jazz guitarist, musician and composer, regarded as one of the greatest musicians of the twentieth century. He was the first jazz talent to emerge from Europe and remains the most significant.
Reinhardt’s innovative approach to playing the guitar, which incorporated elements of jazz, swing, and traditional Romani music, has had a lasting influence on the genre and has inspired countless musicians around the world. His recordings continue to be celebrated and studied by jazz enthusiasts, and he is widely regarded as one of the greatest and most influential guitarists of all time.
With violinist Stéphane Grappelli, Reinhardt formed the Paris-based Quintette du Hot Club de France in 1934. The group was among the first to play jazz that featured the guitar as a lead instrument. Reinhardt recorded in France with many visiting American musicians, including Coleman Hawkins and Benny Carter, and briefly toured the United States with Duke Ellington’s orchestra in 1946. He died suddenly of a stroke at the age of 43.
Django Reinhardt: 100 Years of Hot Jazz.
Django Reinhardt Awards
Django Reinhardt did not win any major awards during his lifetime, as formal music awards like the Grammys did not exist at the time. However, he did achieve a great deal of success and recognition in the music industry, particularly as a pioneering figure in the development of the jazz guitar style.
In recent years, Django Reinhardt has been posthumously honored with various awards and accolades. In 2017, he was inducted into the DownBeat Hall of Fame, and in 2020, he was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame as an Early Influence. These honors serve as a testament to his enduring impact on the music world and his ongoing legacy as a true jazz legend.
Quotes about Django Reinhardt
“Django Reinhardt was a true genius. His music was both innovative and timeless.” – Willie Nelson“Django Reinhardt was a master of the guitar. His technique was both complex and effortless.” – Carlos Santana
“Django Reinhardt was a true original. He created a sound and a style that was all his own.” – John McLaughlin
“Django Reinhardt had a way of playing the guitar that was both soulful and sophisticated. His music had a real emotional depth to it.” – Pat Metheny
“Django Reinhardt was a true artist, a musician who brought a new level of expression to jazz. His music was both beautiful and exciting.” – Diana Krall
“Django Reinhardt had a real gift for improvisation. His solos were both inventive and inspired.” – Wynton Marsalis
“Django Reinhardt was a trailblazer, a musician who broke down barriers and paved the way for generations of musicians to come.” – Quincy Jones
“Django Reinhardt was a true master. His music had a real sense of joy and celebration.” – Harry Connick Jr.
“Django Reinhardt was a legend, a musician whose impact on jazz and popular music will never be forgotten.” – Herbie Hancock
“Django Reinhardt was one of the greats, a musician whose music continues to inspire and move listeners around the world.” – Paul McCartney
Quintette du Hot Club de France
The Quintette du Hot Club de France was a jazz ensemble founded in 1934 by guitarist Django Reinhardt and violinist Stéphane Grappelli. The group was one of the first and most famous proponents of “gypsy jazz” or “hot club” jazz, which blended elements of traditional Romani music, swing, and bebop.
The quintet consisted of Reinhardt on guitar, Grappelli on violin, and three other musicians playing guitar, bass, and occasionally clarinet. They were known for their tight, swinging arrangements and their virtuosic solos, particularly those of Reinhardt and Grappelli.
The group achieved widespread popularity throughout Europe and the United States during the 1930s and 1940s, and their recordings remain classics of the jazz canon. Some of their most famous compositions include “Minor Swing,” “Nuages,” and “Djangology.”
The Quintette du Hot Club de France disbanded in the 1950s due to the pressures of World War II and the changing musical landscape of the post-war era. However, their influence on jazz music has been enduring, and their pioneering work in the development of gypsy jazz and hot club jazz continues to be celebrated and studied by musicians and fans around the world.
Django Reinhardt Personal Life
Django Reinhardt had a tumultuous personal life, marked by poverty, adversity, and various romantic relationships. Here are some details about his personal life:
- Reinhardt was born into a Romani family in Belgium, and he grew up in a caravan near Paris, France.
- He started playing guitar at a young age and was heavily influenced by the traditional Romani music he heard growing up.
- He was married twice, first to Florine “Bella” Mayer in 1933, and then to Sophie Ziegler in 1943. He also had several other romantic relationships throughout his life.
- Reinhardt had several children, although the exact number is unclear due to his often secretive and private nature. It is believed that he had at least three children with his second wife, Sophie Ziegler.
- Reinhardt was known for his flamboyant and hedonistic lifestyle, and he often indulged in vices like smoking and drinking.
- He had a close relationship with his younger brother, Joseph Reinhardt, who was also a guitarist and performed with him in various ensembles.
- Reinhardt was severely injured in a fire in 1928, which left him with severe burns on his left hand and a paralyzed ring finger. Despite this, he continued to play guitar and developed his signature two-fingered playing style.
- Reinhardt’s personal life was also marked by poverty and financial struggles, particularly during the early years of his career. He often lived hand-to-mouth and relied on the generosity of friends and fellow musicians to get by.
- During World War II, Reinhardt and his family were forced to flee Paris due to the Nazi occupation, and he spent several years living and performing in Switzerland.
Overall, Django Reinhardt’s personal life was complex and often difficult, marked by a mix of joy and hardship. Despite these challenges, he remained dedicated to his music and continued to push the boundaries of jazz guitar throughout his life.
FAQ – Frequently Asked Questions about Django Reinhardt
Django Reinhardt
Django Reinhardt’s music has been used in numerous movie soundtracks over the years. His unique sound, which blended traditional jazz with gypsy music, has proven to be a popular choice for filmmakers looking to capture a certain mood or atmosphere. Some notable examples of Reinhardt’s music being used in movies include Woody Allen’s “Sweet and Lowdown,” which featured a number of his classic tunes, and the 2000 film “Chocolat,” which used his track “Minor Swing” during a pivotal scene. In addition to these examples, Reinhardt’s music has also been featured in countless other films, documentaries, and TV shows, making him a beloved and influential figure in the world of cinema.
Soundtrack
- Devotion (2022) “Minor Swing”
- Superintelligence (2020) “I’ll See You in My Dreams”
- Rebecca (2020) “Billets Doux”
- Django (2017) “Nuages”, “Blues Clair”, “Manoir de mes Rêves”, “Vendredi 13”, “Naguine”, “Tears”, “Mélodie au Crépuscule”, “Swing 41”, “Rythme Later”, “Minor Swing”, “Belleville”, “Blues en Mineur”performer: “Ochi Chyornye” (Les Yeux Noirs), “Tears”, “Swing 41”, “Rythme Later”
- Complete Unknown (2016) “Liebestraum No. 3″writer: “Liebestraum No. 3”
- By the Sea (2015) “All the Things You Are”, “Dream of You”
- Ginger & Rose (2012) “Body and Soul”
- B.B. King: The Life of Riley (2012) “Sweet Chorus”
- The Big Year (2011) “Minor Swing”
- The Wrong Ferarri (2011) “Rhythme Futur”
- Marwencoi (2010) “Honeysuckle Rose”
- Cineman (2009) “Echoes of France”
- Julie & Julia (2009) “Minor Swing”
- The Curious Case of Benjamin Button (2008) “Daphne”
- Jolene (2008) “My Blue Heaven”
- Femme Fatal (2007) “Impromptu”
- Does Your Soul Have a Cold? (2007) “Charleston”, “You’re Driving Me Crazy”, “Solitude”, “Body and Soul”
- Ask the Dust (2008) “Blue Drag”
- Daltry Calhoun (2005) “Minor Swing”
- The Aviator (2004) “I Can’t Give You Anything But Love”, “Où es-tu, mon Amour ?”, “Rhythm Futur”writer: “Rhythm Futur”
- Head in the Clouds (2004) “Minor Swing”, “Ric & Pussy”
- Something’s Gotta Give (2003) “Brazil”
- The Matrix Revolutions (2003) “Nuages”
- Chooch (2003) “Place de Brouckere”
- L’idole (2002) Nuages”, “Manoir de mes Rêves”
- Kate & Leopold (2001) “Honeysuckle Rose”
- Town & Country (2001) “Minor Swing”
- Sidewalks of New York (2001) “Naguine”
- Chocolat (2000) “Minor Swing”
- Sweet and Lowdown (1999) “When Day Is Done”, “Avalon”, “Liebestraum No. 3”, “Mystery Pacific”
- The Matrix (1999) “Minor Swing”
- Guinevere (1999) “Djangology”
- B. Monkey (1998) “Billets Doux”, “Souvenirs”
- Rushmore (1998) “Manoir de Mes Reves”
- Dieu seul me voit (1998) “Echoes of France – La Marseillaise de Django”
- Gattaca (1997) “Nuages”
- Metroland (1997) “Minor Swing”performer: “Blues Clair”
- Deconstructing Harry (1997) “Out of Nowhere” (1931)
- In Praise of Older Women (1997) “Minor Swing”
- Familia (1996) “Sweet Chorus”, “Tears”, “Are You in the Mood?”
- Camping Cosmos (1996) “Nuages”
- The Pallbearer (1996) “I Surrender Dear”
- With Honors (1994) “Dream of You”
- Arizona Dream (1993) “You’re Driving Me Crazy”, “Minor Swing”, “Topsy”
- No Telling (1991) “What a Difference A Day Made”, “Out if Nowhere”
- L.A. Story (1991) “I’ve Had My Moments”, “La Mer”, “Smoke Rings”
- Mermaids (1990) “I’ve Found a New Baby”
- New York Stories (1989) “What Is This Thing Called Love”, “Bolero De Django”
- La maison de jade (1988) “Taj Mahal”
- Le Bal (1983) “La Marseillaise”
- Android (1982) “Heavy Artillery”
- Stardust Memories (1980) “I’ll See You in My Dreams” (1924), “Body and Soul” (1930)
- New York, New York (1977) “Billets Doux”
- Lacombe, Lucien (1974) “Minor Swing”, “Manoir de mes Rêves”, “Nuages”, “Douce Ambiance”, “Fleur d’Ennui”, “Lentement Mademoiselle”
- Catch-22 (1970) “September Song” (uncredited)
More about Django Reinhardt
Category: Django ReinhardtDjango Reinhardt died of a brain hemorrhage on May 16, 1953, at the age of 43 in Fontainebleau, France.
More about Django Reinhardt
Category: Django ReinhardtSome of Django Reinhardt’s most famous songs include “Minor Swing,” “Nuages,” and “Djangology.”
More about Django Reinhardt
Category: Django ReinhardtDjango Reinhardt’s musical style was a blend of jazz, swing, and Romani music. He was known for his virtuosic guitar playing and his innovative approach to improvisation. Reinhardt and his musical partner, violinist Stéphane Grappelli, formed the Quintet of the Hot Club of France. With their swinging fusion of American jazz, Romani rhythms, and Parisian street singing, the quintet catapulted to worldwide fame with the genre they invented, Gypsy jazz.
More about Django Reinhardt
Category: Django ReinhardtDjango Reinhardt was a Belgian-born French guitarist and composer who was active from the 1920s through the 1950s. He is considered to be one of the most important figures in the development of jazz guitar.
More about Django Reinhardt
Category: Django ReinhardtThis Jazz Inspiration Profile of Django Reinhardt is sponsored by Sacramento Top 10, is the best local list of restaurants, day spas, salons, real estate, home improvement services and more.
