Although his real given name was Jean, guitarist Django Reinhardt was known by his Romani nickname and was one of the first major jazz artists from Europe. He was born in Belgium on January 23, 1910.

Reinhardt spent most of his early years living in Romani encampments near Paris, France and played multiple instruments in his family’s band. The band was led by his father, a pianist, and included Django and his seven brothers. Django played banjo and violin in addition to guitar. By the age of 15 he was playing professionally in cafes around Paris and made his first recordings as a sideman at the age of 18.
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In 1934 he and violinist Stephane Grappelli formed the legendary Quintette du Hot Club de France. This group quickly became known as one of the most innovative, accomplished, influential and respected jazz groups on the continent. The unique combo also included Reinhardt’s brother Joseph and Roger Chaput on guitar and Louis Vola playing the bass. It was one of the only jazz groups to have only string instruments in its lineup. Decca Records released the group’s first recordings in the United States in 1935. The Quintette du Hot Club de France played with American jazz musicians in Europe, as well, including Louis Armstrong, Coleman Hawkins and Benny carter. The group had achieved sufficient fame by 1938 that they played a gig at the London Palladium.

During the German occupation of France during World War II Reinhardt lived and worked regularly in Paris and played on the radio, as well. Although, as a Romani man, he was under constant threat of being moved to a concentration camp as many of his Romani brothers and sisters had been. Django remained free throughout the conflict probably because the Germans were afraid to incarcerate such a famous figure. Reinhardt attempted to escape occupied France twice, but each time he was captured and returned to Paris.

After the war Django Reinhardt made his first tour of the United States which included a performance with Duke Ellington and a two-night stand at Carnegie Hall. Following the tour he played a regular gig at Cafe Society Uptown in New York City before returning to France in 1947. In his final years Reinhardt developed a reputation for unreliability and would sometimes show up to performances without his instrument. He died suddenly from a brain hemorrhage in 1953 at the age of only 43.

Here is a link to a short video of Django Reinhardt performing in Paris in 1945:

"PARIS 1945"