Django Reinhardt: 5 Deep Cuts

Pioneering Gypsy jazz guitarist Django Reinhardt lamented that he might be neglected by history, but today the swinging “jazz manouche” sound he created with French violinist Stéphane Grappelli is more pervasive than ever—a big reason why SFJAZZ continues to present French guitarist and violinist Dorado Schmitt and his Django All-Stars.

Before Schmitt kicks off his four-night SFJAZZ Residency celebrating the music of Reinhardt, dig into five deep cuts from the man they called "Three Fingered Lightning"—from lesser-known collaborations with Coleman Hawkins and Benny Carter, to a rare improvisation and a musical homage to Brazil.

Five Guitar Greats Talk About Django Reinhardt

The impact of gypsy jazz pioneer Django Reinhardt reaches beyond the jazz world, influencing legions of guitarists from all areas of music. Here are five legendary guitar players and their thoughts on Django. 

“By far the most astonishing guitar player ever” — Jeff Beck

“...nobody has really come to the state that he was playing at. As good as players are, they haven’t gotten to where he is. There’s a lot of guys that play fast and a lot of guys that play clean, and the guitar has come a long way as far as speed and clarity go, but nobody plays with the whole fullness of expression that Django has.” — Jerry Garcia

“The passion that he put into each note was unbelievable. He was ferocious.” — Peter Frampton

“He was the greatest guitarist in my mind. I'd do anything to play as great as he did.” — Les Paul

“Charlie Christian had no more impact on my playing than Django Reinhardt or Lonnie Johnson. I wanted to play like all of them. All of these people were important to me. I couldn't play like any of them, though.” — B.B. King

Renowned guitarist and violinist Dorado Schmitt pays tribute to Django's legacy 11/5-11/8. Tap here for more information. 

Modern Jazz Quartet's Tribute To Django Reinhardt

One month after Django Reinhardt passed (May 16, 1953), the Modern Jazz Quartet (Milt Jackson, vibraphone; John Lewis, piano; Percy Heath, bass; Kenny Clarke, drums) entered the studio to record its third album for Prestige Records. The initial tracks put to wax included two Lewis compositions—"The Queen's Fancy" and "Delauney's Dilemma"—as well as standards "Autumn In New York" (Vernon Duke) and "But Not for Me" (George & Ira Gershwin). Over a year passed before the second session (December 23, 1954) when the MJQ laid down Lewis' iconic title track, "Django" (a tribute to the gypsy jazz legend), as well as "One Bass Hit" (Dizzy Gillespie) and "Milano" (Lewis). The MJQ added Lewis' "La Ronde Suite" a few weeks later (January 9, 1955) to complete the album, first released on two ten-inch albums, before the full LP dropped in 1956. To date, Django remains one of MJQ's most celebrated albums, in large part due to the popularity of its titular tribute to Reinhardt. In fact, "Django" has since been recorded by Grant Green, Vince Guaraldi and even Fleetwood Mac's Lindsey Buckingham/Stevie Nicks self-titled debut album.

Bay Area multi-instrumentalist Smith Dobson V plays material from the Modern Jazz Quartet’s Django for SFJAZZ's monthly Hotplate Tribute on Septemeber 24, 2015.