NEW YORK—The Belgian gypsy guitarist Django Reinhardt (1910–1953) is generally considered the first great European jazz musician. He is one of the few jazzmen who can be identified by one name, like Dizzy or Miles.
Django developed a unique style after he was badly burned in a fire, which deprived him of the use of two fingers on his left hand.
In 1934, Django was a founding member along with violinist Stéphane Grappelli of the ensemble that became known as the Quintet of the Hot Club of France. They played a kind of gypsy swing music, with string instruments. The quintet included Django’s brother Joseph on rhythm guitar, and usually had no drummer.
Famous American jazz musicians sought Django out and recorded with him.
Django continues to inspire musicians more than 60 years after his death. Django’s stature among musicians is conveyed in Woody Allen’s “Sweet and Lowdown” where Sean Penn plays a jazz guitarist who worships Django to such an extent that he is afraid to play when he is told that his idol is in the audience.
This is the 14th year of the successful Django Reinhardt NY at Birdland, produced by Pat Philips and Ettore Stratta.
Django Reinhardt NY Festival
At the Friday night sold-out show, Philips pointed out that Les Lieber was in the audience. The 101-year-old jazz performer and friend of Django said a few words and later pulled out a penny whistle and played it.
The spectacular group that performed was gathered just for this festival. The lead guitarist was Samson Schmitt. Phillips said he grew up on the Birdland stage, since he had previously been the rhythm guitarist in the group led by his father, the French gypsy guitarist-violinist-composer Dorado Schmitt.
Pierre Blanchard played violin; DouDou Cuillerier was on rhythm guitar; Brian Torff (who had toured with Grappelli) played bass; and Ludovic Beier was on accordion. They often played at a blinding speed with pure joy and virtuosity and would occasionally slow down for romantic ballads.
The group performed a number of tunes written by Django (such as “Djangology” or the lesser known “Future Rhythm”) or recorded by him (such as, “Tea for Two”).
There were different guest stars each night of the festival. On Friday, gypsy jazz guitarist Kruno Spisic sat in on some numbers, as did the great Israeli clarinet player Anat Cohen, contributing a rapturous rendition of “Nuages.”
The group occasionally segued into other kinds of music, notably Stevie Wonder’s “Lately” with Beier on accordina (a cross between a harmonica and accordion).
The evening ended with a jubilant version of “Minor Swing,” featuring Cuillerier’s amusing scat singing.
The Django Reinhardt NY Festival will return to Birdland from November 5-10.
For At-Home Listening
Three’s A Crowd Records has released “Django Reinhardt Festival All-Stars Live at Birdland 2012.” The star is Dorado Schmidt with contributions by Samson and his guitarist brothers Bronson and Amati—truly a dynasty. Other contributors are Blanchard, Beier, Cuillerier, and Cohen. Ten of the 15 pieces are by members of the group but all convey the exuberant spirit of Django’s music.
To hear the man who inspired these tributes, “Django Reinhardt Swing de Paris” is a fine introduction since it covers the span of his career from 1934–1953, including a number of pieces with Grappelli as well as “Honeysuckle Rose” with Duke Ellington’s Orchestra and “Finesse” with Rex Stewart and Barney Bigard.
For more information about the Django Reinhardt NY Festival at Birdland (314 West 44th St.) call 212-581-3080 or visit www.birdlandjazz.com.
