Gypsy Jazz, Django Reinhardt, & Lés Beau Djangles

Bet you thought I was dead, what with the lack of blogging lately. I must apologise... The reason for my lack of posts is mainly because I've been writing lots of other content for lots of better, more interesting online things than this! (If you're interested click here for music, or here for Doctor Who.)

Django.

On top of that, I've been practising some guitar with a good friend of mine. We've formed a guitar duo dedicated to the idea of playing a style of music known as Gypsy Jazz. The reason for this odd name is because the style was spearheaded by an incredibly gifted musician named Django Reinhardt.

Django was a rare talent; he completely revolutionised the way people look at the guitar. Born into a Romany gypsy family in 1910, Django was always surrounded by music and, to cut a long story short, he became a virtuoso on the banjo-guitar at an early age. Things seemed set for Django and he felt confident and happy that he would be a successful French musician. As with all good stories, however, tragedy struck, and at the age of 18 Django was caught in a fire. Much of the left side of his body was badly burned and his fretting hand was left gnarled and twisted after the accident. He had little to no movement in his third and fourth fingers but retained mobility in his first two fingers. It was this which provided Django with a small ray of hope and, while healing in a French hospital, Django retaught himself how to play.

With the dawn of the Jazz Age Django seemed poised to take the world by storm. Forming his band, The Quintet of the Hot Club of France, Django and his compatriots quickly became some of the most highly regarded players on the jazz scene.

Django and an early example of the Selmer Maccaferri
guitar with which he would become synonymous.

Django later died in 1953, having left an enormous legacy of terrific guitar jazz behind. On top of this, he truly created a new style of music and guitar playing which would go on to inspire (either directly or indirectly) almost every guitar player to follow him.

The music of Django is truly remarkable and, as mentioned before, my friend Dave and I have formed our own Gypsy Jazz guitar group. Named Lés Beau Djangles, we play a mixture of covers, originals and twists on modern songs.

Before playing this style of music I was unaware of just how complex and layered a style can be and, thanks to gypsy jazz, I've found myself growing not just as a guitar player, but as a musician in general. If any guitarists out there are considering playing this style, I would urge them to do so.

From an early age I was besotted with Django's music and never truly believed I'd find myself playing it - I always thought it would be too hard and too complicated for someone like me to even grasp the basics. How wrong I was. With a little perseverance and hard work I believe anyone can pick up even the rudiments of the style!

While I haven't been at this for very long, I feel I'm on the way to eventually maybe getting somewhere with this and I'd recommend you do the same! With amazing players like Robin Nolan giving excellent free lessons on YouTube, what excuse have you got?

Take a look below at Dave and I playing 'Djangologie' and be sure to like us on Facebook! Until next time, chums, keep swinging!