Django Reinhardt – Born on the 23rd of January of 1910
Started playing Banjo-Guitar at a early age
At 12 years old, he received his first Banjo-Guitar, learned to play it by mimicking fingerings of musicians he watched
At the age of 17, Reinhardt married Florine “Bella” Mayer.
The following year he recorded for the first time, using the Banjo-Guitar.
The recordings gave him an international attention, such as from British bandleader Jack Hylton, who offered him a job on the spot.
Before he had a chance to start with the band, Reinhardt nearly died.
One night Reinhardt and his wife went to sleep in their caravan, and a fire caught up by a candle.
Reinhardt suffered extensive burns over half his body, but more severely, his fourth and fifth fingers on his left hand were hurt badly, the doctors told him he wouldn’t play again.
While he never regained the use of those two fingers, Reinhardt regained his musical mastery by focusing on his left index and middle fingers, using the two injured fingers only for chord work.
When World War II broke out, the original quintet was on tour in the United Kingdom. Reinhardt returned to Paris at once, leaving his wife and kid at the UK.
After the war, Reinhardt rejoined Grappelli in the UK. In the autumn of 1946, he made his first tour in the United States, debuting at Cleveland Music Hall.
Published: Feb 20, 2022
Latest Revision: Feb 20, 2022
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