Django Reinhardt Paris & London 1937-48

Product Description

The first JSP boxset of Django's work revealed material so stunning, that jazz fans everywhere told us: 'ENCORE, DJANGO.'Fortunately, the Frenchman made frequent trips to the studio - and a big chunk of his later recorded work is right here - remastered to produce sounds of unparalleled clarity.And be assured. This isn't just easy 'same again' stuff. Django was too good for that. From first to last, you'll hear a virtuoso jazzman in evolution.

.com

JSP's follow-up to their must-have bargain-priced box set of Django Reinhardt's early s is every bit as essential and fascinating for lovers of jazz guitar. Between 1937 and 1948, the world's best-known gypsy guitarist was leading some of the hottest jazz groups in Europe, with some of the most innovative arrangements imaginable. The story behind these sessions is almost as memorable as the material--somehow Reinhardt, despite being a gypsy, prospered through Nazi-occupied France while his peers either fled or perished. Due to the war, the classic lineup of the Quintet of the Hot Club of France evolved and eventually splintered into two groups--one with Stephane Grappelli on violin, another replacing him with the clarinet of Hubert Rostaing. But regardless of Reinhardt's accompaniment, the music-making heard here is nothing short of astounding. Whether swinging through standards ("All of Me," "I Can't Give You Anything But Love," "Sweet Georgia Brown") or performing some of his classic originals ("Nuages," "Swing 42"), whether alone ("Improvisations," "Tea for Two") or backed by more than a dozen friends ("Festival Swing"), this is some of Reinhardt's best music. JSP's remastering and transfers on these 60-year-old 78s is the finest yet available. Essential for swing fans, guitarists, or anyone wanting to know more about the history of jazz. --Jason Verlinde