wowhd.co.uk

Django Reinhardt provides one of those unique strands of jazz which was hugely significant and distinctive, and which effectively stand on their own as an expression of one man's thoroughly individual style, influences and sound. Born in Belgium of Manouche Romany descent, he became the focus of the "hot" jazz movement in France with his unique guitar style (he used only two fingers of his left hand, the others having been paralysed in a fire). With violinist Stephane Grappelli, he created the Quintette du Hot Club de France in Paris in the mid-30s, recording not only with that line-up, but with other musicians and leaders, as well as solo and in duets with Grappelli. This great-value 48-track 2-CD collection is a follow-up to our highly popular and successful earlier release The Django Reinhardt Collection 1935-46 (Fabulous FADCD2036), and draws both from completely different recording sessions during those years or on other titles from the same sessions covering the core of his career, most notably the concentrated period of creative activity in Paris and London during the late '30s before WWII made their modus operandi more difficult. A significant proportion of his recording sessions are represented, from solo recordings through many of his sessions with different incarnations of the Quintette Du Hot Club du Paris, and with other musicians. He was a hugely prolific recording artist, and, as one would expect, always performed to a consistently high standard, so this selection of recordings provides a further insight into a unique talent and one of the most innovative jazz guitarists of all time.