Django Reinhardt - The Chronological Classics, 15 Albums

Django Reinhardt was the first hugely influential jazz figure to emerge from Europe -- and he remains the most influential European to this day, with possible competition from Joe Zawinul, George Shearing, John McLaughlin, his old cohort Stephane Grappelli and a bare handful of others. A free-spirited gypsy, Reinhardt wasn't the most reliable person in the world, frequently wandering off into the countryside on a whim. Yet Reinhardt came up with a unique way of propelling the humble acoustic guitar into the front line of a jazz combo in the days before amplification became widespread. He would spin joyous, arcing, marvelously inflected solos above the thrumming base of two rhythm guitars and a bass, with Grappelli's elegantly gliding violin serving as the perfect foil. His harmonic concepts were startling for their time -- making a direct impression upon Charlie Christian and Les Paul, among others -- and he was an energizing rhythm guitarist behind Grappelli, pushing their groups into a higher gear. Not only did Reinhardt put his stamp upon jazz, his string band music also had an impact upon the parallel development of Western swing, which eventually fed into the wellspring of what is now called country music. Although he could not read music, with Grappelli and on his own, Reinhardt composed several winsome, highly original tunes like "Daphne," "Nuages" and "Manoir de Mes Reves," as well as mad swingers like "Minor Swing" and the ode to his record label of the '30s, "Stomping at Decca." As the late Ralph Gleason said about Django's recordings, "They were European and they were French and they were still jazz."

A violinist first and a guitarist later, Jean Baptiste "Django" Reinhardt grew up in a gypsy camp near Paris where he absorbed the gypsy strain into his music. A disastrous caravan fire in 1928 badly burned his left hand, depriving him of the use of the fourth and fifth fingers, but the resourceful Reinhardt figured out a novel fingering system to get around the problem that probably accounts for some of the originality of his style. According to one story, during his recovery period, Reinhardt was introduced to American jazz when he found a 78 RPM disc of Louis Armstrong's "Dallas Blues" at an Orleans flea market. He then resumed his career playing in Parisian cafes until one day in 1934 when Hot Club chief Pierre Nourry proposed the idea of an all-string band to Reinhardt and Grappelli. Thus was born the Quintet of the Hot Club of France, which quickly became an international draw thanks to a long, splendid series of Ultraphone, Decca and HMV recordings.

The outbreak of war in 1939 broke up the Quintette, with Grappelli remaining in London where the group was playing and Reinhardt returning to France. During the war years, he led a big band, another quintet with clarinetist Hubert Rostaing in place of Grappelli, and after the liberation of Paris, recorded with such visiting American jazzmen as Mel Powell, Peanuts Hucko and Ray McKinley. In 1946, Reinhardt took up the electric guitar and toured America as a soloist with the Duke Ellington band but his appearances were poorly received. Some of his recordings on electric guitar late in his life are bop escapades where his playing sounds frantic and jagged, a world apart from the jubilant swing of old. However, starting in Jan. 1946, Reinhardt and Grappelli held several sporadic reunions where the bop influences are more subtly integrated into the old, still-fizzing swing format. In the 1950s, Reinhardt became more reclusive, remaining in Europe, playing and recording now and then until his death from a stroke in 1953. His Hot Club recordings from the `30s are his most irresistible legacy; their spirit and sound can be felt in current groups like Holland's Rosenberg Trio.


Tracks:



Django Reinhardt - 1934-1935 {The Chronological Classics, 703}

01. Presentation Stomp (3:05)
02. Blue Interlude (3:19)
03. Tiger Rag (2:16)
04. After You've Gone (2:15)
05. Confessin' (2:39)
06. I Saw Stars (2:44)
07. Confessin' (2:50)
08. From Now On (3:20)
09. I Saw Stars (3:20)
10. Blank Panther Stomp (2:53)
11. Okay Toots (2:47)
12. When My Ship Comes In (3:07)
13. My Carolina Hide-A-Way (2:39)
14. Dinah (2:37)
15. Tiger Rag (2:36)
16. Lady Be Good (2:53)
17. I Saw Stars (2:33)
18. Hands Across The Table (3:16)
19. We Were So Young (3:25)
20. From You (2:55)
21. Darling, Je Vous Aime Beaucoup (3:20)
22. Miss Otis Regrets (She's Unable To Lunch Today) (3:06)
23. Waltzing With A Dream (3:19)



Django Reinhardt - 1935 {The Chronological Classics, 727}

01. Lily Belle May June (3:39)
02. Sweet Sue, Just You (2:55)
03. Confessin' (2:57)
04. The Continental (2:41)
05. Blue Drag (2:56)
06. Swanee River (3:06)
07. Ton Doux Sourire (The Sunshine Of Your Smile) (2:56)
08. Ultrafox (3:23)
09. You And The Night And The Music (2:47)
10. I Get A Kick Out Of You (3:25)
11. Seagulls (2:54)
12. Anything Goes (2:40)
13. Easter Parade (3:02)
14. I'm Gonna Wash My Hands Of You (2:32)
15. Avalon (2:55)
16. Smoke Rings (2:53)
17. Clouds (3:18)
18. Believe It, Beloved (3:15)
19. I've Found A New Baby (2:44)
20. St. Louis Blues (3:05)
21. Chasing Shadows (3:02)
22. I've Had My Moments (3:00)



Django Reinhardt - 1935-1936 {The Chronological Classics, 739}

01. Some Of These Days (2:27)
02. Djangology (2:59)
03. Rosetta (2:42)
04. Star Dust (2:34)
05. The Object Of My Affection (2:49)
06. Cloud Castles (3:00)
07. Magic Strings (3:11)
08. Sweet Serenade (3:11)
09. Crazy Strings (3:23)
10. Novel Pets (3:30)
11. Budding Dancers (2:41)
12. I'se A Muggin' (3:08)
13. I Can't Give You Anything But Love (3:24)
14. Oriental Shuffle (2:41)
15. After You've Gone (3:08)
16. Are You In The Mood? (2:52)
17. Limehouse Blues (2:48)
18. Nagasaki (2:51)
19. Swing Guitars (2:27)
20. Georgia On My Mind (3:16)
21. Shine (2:58)
22. In The Still Of The Night (3:07)
23. Sweet Chorus (2:45)



Django Reinhardt - 1937 {The Chronological Classics, 748}

01. Exactly Like You (2:32)
02. Charleston (2:54)
03. You're Driving Me Crazy (2:56)
04. Tears (2:39)
05. Solitude (3:10)
06. Hot Lips (3:05)
07. Ain't Misbehavin' (2:55)
08. Rose Room (2:46)
09. Body And Soul (3:28)
10. When Day Is Done (3:14)
11. Runnin' Wild (2:56)
12. Chicago (3:27)
13. Liebestraum No. 3 (3:21)
14. Miss Annabelle Lee (2:50)
15. A Little Love, A Little Kiss (3:20)
16. Mystery Pacific (2:21)
17. In A Sentimental Mood (3:02)
18. The Sheik of Araby (3:06)
19. Improvisation (2:58)
20. Parfum (3:01)
21. Pennies From Heaven (2:24)
22. Tiger Rag (2:35)



Django Reinhardt - 1937, Vol.2 {The Chronological Classics, 762}

01. Whoa Babe (2:43)
02. P.B. Flat Blues (2:56)
03. Saint-Louis Blues (2:43)
04. Bouncing Around (2:45)
05. Minor Swing (3:17)
06. Viper's Dream (3:16)
07. Swining with Django (2:53)
08. Paramount Stomp (2:38)
09. Bolero (4:05)
10. Mabel (4:12)
11. My Serenade (3:02)
12. Serenade for a Wealthy Widow (3:16)
13. Taj Mahal (3:23)
14. Organ Grinder's Swing (2:39)
15. You Rascal, You (3:09)
16. Tea for Two (3:17)
17. Chirstmas Swing (2:52)
18. Sweet Georgia Brown (3:17)
19. Tea for Two (2:50)
20. Blues (3:04)
21. Easy Going (3:03)
22. College Stomp (3:01)
23. Harlem Swing (2:36)



Django Reinhardt - 1937-1938 {The Chronological Classics, 777}

01. It Had To Be You (2:45)
02. Sweet Sue, Just You (2:30)
03. Honeysuckle Rose (2:55)
04. Sweet Georgia Brown (3:09)
05. Night And Day (2:43)
06. My Sweet (2:56)
07. Souvenirs (2:47)
08. Daphne (3:10)
09. Black And White (3:06)
10. Stompin' At Decca (2:35)
11. Un Sourire En Chantant (3:06)
12. Sifflez En Travaillant (3:07)
13. Bouncin' Around (3:17)
14. Ridin' Along The Moscowa (2:53)
15. Gotta Date In Louisinia (2:49)
16. Gabriel's Swing (2:41)
17. Doin' The New Low Down (3:14)
18. Body And Soul (3:06)
19. Lover Come Back To Me (2:34)
20. My Melancholy Baby (3:16)
21. I Got Rhythm (2:54)
22. Billets Doux (2:57)
23. Swing From Paris (2:35)



Django Reinhardt - 1938-1939 {The Chronological Classics, 793}

01. Them There Eyes (3:06)
02. Three Little Words (2:55)
03. Appel Direct (3:03)
04. The Flat Foot Floogie (2:57)
05. Lambeth Walk (2:49)
06. Why Should I Care? (2:50)
07. I've Got My Love To Keep Me Warm (2:31)
08. Please Be Kind (2:46)
09. Louise (2:38)
10. Improvisation No. 2 (2:42)
11. Hungaria (2:50)
12. Jeepers Creepers (3:17)
13. Swing 39 (3:21)
14. Japanese Sandman (2:42)
15. I Wonder Where My Baby Is Tonight? (3:03)
16. Tea For Two (2:50)
17. My Melancholy Baby (3:27)
18. Time On My Hands (2:45)
19. Twelfth Year (2:40)
20. Montmartre (2:26)
21. Low Cotton (3:02)
22. Finesse (2:22)
23. I Know That You Know (2:34)
24. Solid Old Man (3:05)



Django Reinhardt - 1939-1940 {The Chronological Classics, 813}

01. My Melancholy Baby (2:50)
02. Japanese Sandman (3:08)
03. Tea For Two (3:14)
04. I Wonder Where My Baby Is Tonight? (2:48)
05. Hungaria (2:47)
06. The Sheik (Of Araby) (2:59)
07. Dream Ship (2:50)
08. I Can't Believe That You're In Love With Me (2:21)
09. Darktown Strutter's Ball (2:34)
10. Blues Of Yesterday (2:36)
11. Stockholm (2:49)
12. Younger Generation (2:26)
13. I'll See You In My Dreams (2:33)
14. Echoes Of Spain (3:08)
15. Naguine (2:29)
16. Undecided (2:33)
17. H.C.Q. Strut (2:59)
18. Don't Worry 'Bout Me (3:00)
19. The Man I Love (3:14)
20. Boogie Woogie - Part 1 (2:55)
21. Boogie Woogie - Part 2 (2:35)
22. Blues Skies (2:39)
23. Stomp (2:19)



Django Reinhardt - 1940 {The Chronological Classics, 831}

01. Rosetta (2:30)
02. Sugar (2:42)
03. A Pretty Girl Is Like A Melody (2:39)
04. Margie (2:17)
05. Tears (2:50)
06. Limehouse Blues (2:30)
07. Daphné (2:53)
08. At The Jimmy's Bar (2:53)
09. Nuages (3:21)
10. Rythme Futur (2:42)
11. Begin The Beguine (2:56)
12. Blues (3:10)
13. Coucou (2:43)
14. Indécision (3:06)
15. Sérénade d'hiver (2:43)
16. Le sheik (2:20)
17. Noël Blues (3:01)
18. Margie (2:22)
19. Bijou (2:27)
20. Indécision (3:22)
21. Oui, c'est ça (2:39)



Django Reinhardt - 1940-1941 {The Chronological Classics, 852}

01. Swing 41 (3:10)
02. Nuages (3:19)
03. Pour Vous (3:09)
04. Fantaisie Sur Une Danse Norvegienne (2:35)
05. Vendredi 13 (3:05)
06. Liebesfreud (2:41)
07. Mabel (3:21)
08. Petits Mensonges (3:18)
09. Les Yeux Noirs (2:15)
10. Sweet Sue (2:51)
11. Swing De Paris (3:03)
12. Oiseaux Des Iles (2:51)
13. All Of Me (2:49)
14. Pour Terminer (3:08)
15. Pour Commencer (3:04)
16. Les Yeux Noirs (3:03)
17. Begin The Beguine (2:34)
18. Swingin' The Blues (2:16)
19. Petite Lili (3:26)
20. Ninouche (3:24)
21. Festival Swing (4:11)
22. Stockholm (3:13)
23. La Cigale Et La Fourmi (2:21)



Django Reinhardt - 1942-1943 {The Chronological Classics, 905}

01. Éclats de cuivres (3:04)
02. Django Rag (2:35)
03. Dynamisme (2:45)
04. Tons d'ébène (2:53)
05. Chez moi à six heures (2:44)
06. Douce ambiance (2:22)
07. Manoir de mes rêves (3:22)
08. Oui (2:11)
09. Cavalerie (2:37)
10. Fleur d'ennui (2:36)
11. Blues clair (3:06)
12. Improvisation No. 3 - Part 1 (3:05)
13. Improvisation No. 3 - Part 2 (2:50)
14. Belleville (2:45)
15. Oubli (2:44)
16. Zuiderzee Blues (2:41)
17. ABC (2:22)
18. Gaiement (2:43)
19. Mélodie au crépuscule (3:01)
20. Blues d'autrefois (2:37)
21. Place de Brouckère (2:58)



Django Reinhardt - 1944-1946 {The Chronological Classics, 945}

01. Welcome (2e Partie) (2:21)
02. I Can't Give You Anything But Love (2:23)
03. Artillerie lourde (4:18)
04. How High The Moon (2:21)
05. If Dreams Come True (2:53)
06. Hallellujah (2:52)
07. Stompin' At The Savoy (3:02)
08. Djangology (2:36)
09. Sing Guitars (2:24)
10. Manoir de mes rêves (3:17)
11. Are You In The Mood? (2:58)
12. Coquette (3:05)
13. Django's Tiger (2:40)
14. Embraceable You (3:09)
15. Echoes Of France (2:48)
16. Love's Melody (3:13)
17. Belleville (3:00)
18. Nuages (3:18)
19. Liza (All The Clouds'll Roll Away) (2:55)
20. Swingtime In Springtime (2:54)
21. Yours And Mine (2:58)
22. On The Sunny Side Of The Street (2:51)
23. I Won't Dance (2:54)



Django Reinhardt - 1947 {The Chronological Classics, 1001}

01. R-Vingt-Six (2:30)
02. How High The Moon (2:37)
03. Lover Man (3:20)
04. Blue Lou (2:23)
05. Blues (2:38)
06. Minor Blues (2:47)
07. Clair De Lune (2:51)
08. Peche A La Mouche (2:34)
09. Lentement Mademoiselle (3:36)
10. Melodie Au Crepuscule (2:38)
11. Porto Cabello (3:20)
12. Duke And Dukie (3:19)
13. Songe D'Automne (3:01)
14. Babik (Bi-Bop) (2:46)
15. Del Salle (2:47)
16. Just One Of Those Things (2:52)
17. For Sentimental Reasons (2:56)
18. Danse Norvegienne (3:01)
19. Blues For Barclay (2:53)
20. Folie A Amphion (2:52)
21. Vette (3:14)
22. Anniversary Song (3:32)
23. Swing 48 (2:46)



Django Reinhardt - 1947, Vol. 2 {The Chronological Classics, 1046}

01. September Song (3:19)
02. Brazil (2:50)
03. I'll Never Smile Again (2:41)
04. New York City (2:36)
05. Django's Blues (3:07)
06. Love's Mood (3:07)
07. I Love You (2:54)
08. Nuages (3:25)
09. Minor Swing (2:50)
10. Stockholm (3:18)
11. Topsy (3:06)
12. Moppin' The Bride (2:21)
13. Insensiblement (3:16)
14. Mano (2:54)
15. Blues Primitif (2:44)
16. Gypsy With A Song - Part 2 (2:59)
17. Gypsy With A Song - Part 1 (3:03)
18. Douce Ambiance (2:22)
19. What Is This Thing Called Love (2:10)
20. Ol' Man River (2:38)



Django Reinhardt - 1951-1953 {The Chronological Classics, 1441}

01. Impromptu (2:47)
02. Vamp (2:37)
03. Keep Cool (3:06)
04. Flèche d'or (3:01)
05. Troublant Boléro (3:36)
06. Nuits de Saint-Germain-des-Prés (3:11)
07. Crazy Rhythm (3:12)
08. Anouman (2:49)
09. D.R. Blues (3:13)
10. Fine And Dandy (3:14)
11. Blues For Ike (3:23)
12. September Song (2:36)
13. Night And Day (2:53)
14. Insensiblement (3:09)
15. Manoir des mes rêves (2:38)
16. Nuages (3:18)
17. Brazil (2:28)
18. Confessin' (3:40)
19. Le soir (2:59)
20. Chez moi (3:00)
21. I Cover The Waterfront (3:27)
22. Deccaphonie (3:15)