Django Reinhardt & Stéphane Grappelli

Jean Baptiste "Django" Reinhardt was born into in the open air, rambling lifestyle of his gypsy parents on January 24th, 1910 in Liberchies, Belgium. At the age of eight, his mother's tribe settled near the belt of fortifications that surrounded the old Paris, near the Choisy gate. He never wore a suit or lived in a real house until he was twenty years old. These French Gypsies or Manouches were a world unto themselves, medieval in their beliefs, and distrustful of modern science. Django grew up in this world of contradictions, one foot in the bustling big city of Paris and the other in the age-old life of the nomadic gypsy. Though born into poverty Django had the soul of a nobleman and this natural elegance of bearing and attitude expressed itself in his music.

At the age of 18, Reinhardt was injured in a fire that ravaged the caravan he shared with his first wife. He almost lost a leg, and the third and fourth digits on his left hand (his fretting hand) were burned badly. Reinhardt focused on the guitar and developed an original style of playing that emphasized his undamaged fingers. He was still able to use these two fingers for playing chords, but was unable to use them for playing solos.

In 1934, Louis Vola formed the "Quintette du Hot Club de France" with Reinhardt, violinist Stéphane Grappelli, Reinhardt's brother Joseph and Roger Chaput on guitar, and Louis Vola on bass. As World War II was declared, the quintet was on tour in the United Kingdom. Reinhardt returned to Paris at once, leaving his wife behind. Grappelli remained in the United Kingdom for the duration of the war, and Reinhardt reformed the quintet in Paris with Hubert Rostaing on clarinet in place of Grappelli's violin.

On May 16th 1953 Django suffered a massive brain hemorrhage and died, leaving behind his wife Sophie and son Babik. His music remains as vital and exciting today as it was when he lived, a legacy of joy to all future generations that rediscover the genius of the Belgian gypsy Django Reinhardt.

You can watch some great contemporary film footage of Django Reinhardt here.


Stéphane Grappelli was born on January 26th, 1908 in Paris, France to Italian parents. By the time he was twelve years old, he had acquired his first violin - just one of several instruments he learned to play. He began professionally with theatre bands (including silent films), eventually being introduced to jazz music. Originally self-taught as both a violinist and a pianist, he nevertheless attended the Conservatoire de Paris between 1924 and 1928. Grappelli was a pioneer jazz violinist who founded the quintet of the "Quintette du Hot Club de France" with Django Reinhardt. It was the first all-string jazz band.

They hit it off musically from the start even though their lifestyles (Grappelli was sophisticated while Django was a gypsy) were very different. Together as Quintet of the Hot Club of France (comprised of violin, three acoustic guitars and bass) during 1933-39 they produced a sensational series of recordings and performances.

When World War II commenced, Grappelli and the band were touring Britain. While the others returned to Paris Grappelli decided to stay. During the next six years he became a popular figure in London with habitués of nightlife in general and in musical entertainment in particular, working with local musicians in the local clubs. In 1946, he returned to Paris, renewed association with Reindhart, but the magic of their pre-war days did not reappear too often.

Stéphane Grappelli died aged 89 on December 1st, 1997 in Paris after undergoing a hernia operation. When asked on his 85th birthday if he was considering retirement, Grappelli replied: "Retirement! There isn't a word that is more painful to my ears. Music keeps me going. It has given me everything. It's my fountain of youth."

Souvenirs_Reinhardt_Grapelli.rar (Thanks, sister!)

Reinhardt___Grapelli_Swingin_With_Django_CD1_256.rar

Reinhardt___Grapelli_Swingin_With_Django_CD2_256.rar

Reinhardt___Grapelli_Swingin_With_Django_CD3_256.rar

posted by Paxjorge @ Tuesday, May 23, 2006