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DJ Chrisbe’s Song of the Week #70: Minor Swing

04.07.2011 by Chris

Yes, it's long overdue, a Song of the Week by Jean “Django” Reinhardt (23.01.1910-16.05.1953), the first and probably still the most influencial European jazz musician.

Django Reinhardt was born into a french speaking gypsy – so-called Manouche – family and grew up near Paris.

He learned violin, banjo and the guitar very early and at the age of twelve or thirteen (depends on the source), he already was a professional musician.

In 1928 Django was heavily injured in a fire of his caravan. His right leg was paralysed and his left hand was badly burned. The doctors wanted to amputate his leg but Django refused.

During the rehabilitation time of 18 months he was given a guitar by his brother Joseph and he developed a total new fingering style with only two fingers!

The legendary The Quintet of the Hot Club of France was born in 1934 after Django met Stéphane Grappelli. It was one of the few well-known jazz ensembles composed only of string instruments.

The small record company Ultraphone recorded their first sides Dinah, Tiger Rag, Oh Lady be Good, and I Saw Stars which caused a sensation. The band went on to record hundreds of record side.

The Quintet broke at the beginning of World War II. Django recorded troughout the war years and after the war, he was rejoined by Stéphane and they again performed and recorded.

In 1951 Django retired, in 1953 he suffered a massive brain hemorrhage and died.

Django Reinhardt couldn't read and write notes, nevertheless he composed many songs which became jazz standards.

One of it is the often covered tune Minor Swing, representing the typical sound of Gypsy Swing by Django Reinhardt and his fellows.

DJ Chrisbe's Song of the Week #70: Minor Swing by Django Reinhardt

Title: Minor Swing
Artist: Django Reinhardt with The Quintet of the Hot Club of France
Recorded: 25.11.1937
Tempo: 204 bpm
Dance: Balboa, Lindy Hop

Click the link to download the song from: Amazon ・ iTunes

You can find the songs of the series also on my Spotify playlist. Official hashtag of the series: #djcsotw

Do you like the “Song of the Week” series? Share your thoughts below.

Now Check Out:

  • Song of the Week #28: “Besame Mucho” by Oscar Aleman
  • Song of the Week #57: “Duke & Dukie” by The Rosenberg Trio
  • Song of the Week #68: “Come On-A My House” by Rosemary Clooney

Filed Under: Music, Song of the Week Tagged With: Balboa, DJ Chrisbe, Django Reinhardt, Gypsy Jazz, Gypsy Swing, Lindy Hop

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Welcome, I'm Christian Bossert. Since 1999, I‘ve been passionate about Swing dances as well as their culture and history. I‘m a Swing dance instructor and international Swing DJ Chrisbe, based in Zurich Switzerland. Read More…

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