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A word about the music and it’s
origins. The Hot Club of Philadelphia plays music often
referred to as Gypsy Jazz, Based on the recordings of
Belgian born Gypsy Guitarist Django Reinhardt and French
Violinist Stephan Grappelli.
Django was one of the most influential guitarists of the
20th century.Born in a traveling Gypsy caravan in Liberchies
Belguim on Jan. 24,1910 He was self-taught, and could
not read or write music.
Django was illiterate, [ he eventually learned to write
his name]. Coming from the Gypsy tradition, he was used
to living outdoors, he didn’t sleep indoors or own
a suit until he was in his twenties. A true original,
with many idiosyncrasies, he was the subject of many myths
and stories. He captured the imagination of writers and
film makers, including a mention in the novel “From
Here to Eternity”, by James Jones. Woody Allen’s
brilliant 1999 release “Sweet and Lowdown”,
the main character guitarist “Emmett Ray”, [played
by Sean Penn], is a Django Reinhardt wanna-be. [The guitar
parts in the movie were played by Howard Alden]. The film
has introduced Django’s music and story to an entirely
new audience.
The legend of Django is based to some extent on the fact
that his left hand was badly burned in a fire in 1928.
He had the use of only the 1st & 2nd fingers of his
fret hand. He essential created a new way to play the
guitar, modern players, who have the use of all their
fingers are still struggling to recreate Django’s
inspired solos. Django and Grappelli teamed up 1934 to
form the Quartet of the Hot Club of Paris. They were initially
influenced by the playing of guitarist Eddie Lang and
the violinist Joe Venuti. Django and Stephan came up with
a unique take on the American Jazz repertoire, in instrumentation
and style. The group usually consisted of two [or three]
guitars, bass and fiddle. Most of the groups at the time
had banjo, drums and horns. Django’s Playing reflected
the influences of Gypsy musical traditions, along with
Grappelli’s Continental flair. In addition to playing
popular songs of the time, like “Lady Be Good”
And “Dinah”, they also played originals like
the haunting melody of “Nuages”, The Gypsy Jazz
anthem “Minor Swing”, [featured in the movie
Chocolate], And reworked eastern European folk tunes like
“Dark Eyes”, often played at break-neck Tempos.
There is an amazingly warm and sincere aspect to this
music. People often ask us what It’s called, and
about it’s origins. For more information on the music
and it’s origins check out; Django Reinhardt, a biography
of Django by Charles DeLaunay
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