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How Did Django Reinhardt Influence Jazz

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During World War II, the people of Europe had very limited forms of entertainment to keep them positive and their spirt’s up. One source of happiness and entertainment for them was music though. Jazz grew in popularity in Europe after it was introduced by American troops to Europeans during World War I. It remained popular between wars and was known “as a symbol of opposition to colonialism” during the second World War. One of the most famous and influential jazz guitarists of this era was Django Reinhardt. Django Reinhardt was one of the most prominent musicians of his time for his style of combining American jazz with some Gypsy influences. His personality and unique form of artistry made him a music icon during such a dark time in world …show more content…

This lead to his decision to give up on the banjo in favor of focusing on playing the guitar. Reinhardt was especially influenced and in awe with the playing ability of American jazz musician Louis Armstrong. He felt so connected to Armstrong that he even referred to him as "my brother” at times. Other jazz influences on Django Reinhardt were the styles of Eddie, Lang Joe Venuti, and Duke Ellington. Reinhardt’s many influences contributed to his own personal style of Jazz which is a combination of American Jazz and the “Roma musical tradition.” He then met Stéphane Grappelli who shared similar interests as a fellow musician and lead to them playing music together often. They went on to form the the Quintette du Hot Club de France, or Quintet of the Hot Club of France, with Grappelli and Reinhardt as the leaders of the group. Fourteen different musicians performed at various times in the quintet and their genre of music was described as “gypsy swing” and “le jazz hot.” A few of the bands most popular songs were titled, “Dinah,” “Lady Be Good,” “Djangology,” “Bricktop” and “Swing …show more content…

Swing was a way for people to escape from their dreadful reality and experience some happiness in their otherwise days filled with despair. Django Reinhardt is still considered one of the most well known jazz musicians of all time and a pioneer of American Jazz in Europe. His work as an artist has truly stood the test of time having such a huge impact not only on jazz musicians today, but various guitarists across different genres, inspiring great musicians like B.B. King and Carlos Santana. Django Reinhardt’s music impacts today’s society as much as it did when he was still regularly performing. The legacy of Django Reinhardt as a handicapped, Gypsy, American jazz artist lives on for others to revel in his mastery as a jazz

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