1951-1953

Django Reinhardt

Belgian-born gypsy Django Reinhardt became the first European to have a significant impact on jazz. A childhood accident had crippled his left hand, leaving the use of just two fingers; nonetheless, Reinhardt played things on guitar people had only imagined. Fusing a lushly romantic sensibility with propulsive rhythmic drive, Reinhardt brought small-group swing to a creative peak in the 1930s with the Quintette du Hot Club de France, and his unique style continues to inspire generations of guitarists.