Django Reinhardt 100 Years

Thank you, Jay, for reminding me of this anniversary.

I used to listen to Django an awful lot as a student. And had a great time going to a celebration for the 75th Anniversary of his birth (1985 ergo), at a lovely jazz venue in Sheffield (that I think has now gone or had a serious makeover) The Leadmill.

His son was playing in a guitars and strings band. And it was the first time we saw a young guitar prodigy, Birelli Lagrene, who was about 16 at the time and blew the place apart. Wonder what happened to him...?!

I'm just going to put on Minor Swing and raise a glass. Happy Birthday, Django!

Happy birthday to the three-fingered gypsy wonder. For me, nothing swings quite like Rheinhart and Grappelli in full flow.

quote:

Originally posted by Chillkram:
...Grappelli...

Happily, got to see Grappelli live 1980 or 81, Ipswich Corn Exchange with Martin Taylor when he was a young, up-and-coming guitarist - also

I went to concert in the Shrewsbury Music Hall in 1981 where these two played.

Probably the most unforgetable concert of my life! We were late and crept into the Choir [behind the stage - it was sold out] during the gap between numbers. SG noticed this and turned to the four of us and bowed, which he did for each time he did it forward after that!

There is no fiddle player like him. A true one-off. Would have been another unforgetable experience to SG and DJ together, I am sure.

I was born too late! Sigh!

ATB from George

Has anyone listened to the Django Reinhardt vinyl reissues on Monk? I was wondering how they sound.