The best guitarist you've never heard of.

[sir pball]

Back in the day, 30s-50s, there was this Belgian Romani guy, baptized as Jean but went by Django…Django Reinhardt.

Jeff Beck "described Reinhardt as 'by far the most astonishing guitar player ever' and 'quite superhuman'". Jerry Garcia said "His technique is awesome! Even today, nobody has really come to the state that he was playing at. As good as players are, they haven't gotten to where he is. There's a lot of guys that play fast and a lot of guys that play clean, and the guitar has come a long way as far as speed and clarity go, but nobody plays with the whole fullness of expression that Django has." Jimmy Page said "He must have been playing all the time to be that good."

That said, enjoy his one performance that was ever recorded on film.

[LuckyCharms]

1. I've been a Django Reinhardt fan for decades!

[sir pball]

2. Okay so he's not the best guitarist YOU'VE never heard of lol

That said I do find it criminally awful that Kids These Days don't know him. Hell, half of you Boomers don't know this is an explicit tribute to Django

[LuckyCharms]

3. Now that I didn't know!

[sir pball]

4. Dickey Betts wrote it for only two left-hand fingers, like Django had.

https://whyevolutionistrue.com/2021/04/21/jessica/

[Bristlecone]

14. Did not know that. Good one.

[ZZenith]

5. Totally down with Django!

It might please you to know that a lot of the young guitarists I work with are fully aware of his music.

[Mr.Bill]

6. He's a guitar player's

guitar player. Most serious players are seriously aware of him.

But I will agree with the OP that most people never heard of him. I listened to him for years before I knew he only had two functioning fingers on his left hand. I was astounded when I found that out.

[Easterncedar]

9. What?

I listened to Django (and Grapelli) quite a bit way back when. It’s easier to imagine he had 10 functioning fingers on each hand. Amazing.

[Mr.Bill]

10. His ring and pinkie were damaged in a fire.

I've heard he could mute with them, but not enough strength left to fret a string.

[Easterncedar]

12. That is a musician.

I love the things I learn here! Thanks.

[Mr.Bill]

7. Check this guy out.

His name is Charly Baty. He is most known for Little Charly and the Nightcats, an incredible Northern California Blues band who spent many years blowing the roof off the bar circuit. This is his Django Reinhardt tribute band that he toured with in the late 20teens. I saw him many times in both bands. Sadly, he passed away a few years ago. Note how he needs all his fingers to come close to Django. Look him up. lots of stuff on YouTube.

[2naSalit]

8. I heard about him...

When I was a kid and have loved his music all my life.

Been known to sing this one a time or two, when I happen upon a hot picker or two.

[Easterncedar]

11. That was great. Thanks for posting.

[Docreed2003]

13. Django was an inspiration to guitarists in his day, and continues to be today

A legend!

[LunaSea]

15. If there were no Django, there would be no Iommi.

When Tony Iommi lost the tips of two fingers in a machine shop he was convinced
he'd never play again. Seeing his distress and depression, a co-worker brought him an album by Reinhardt.
Iommi was inspired to work with what he had and went on to create Black Sabbath, and help create the heavy metal genre.

[LunaSea]

16. Wes Montgomery

[yonder]

17. Fan for years here....Steph and QHCF too.

Imagine being in a smoky club somewhere in Paris 90 years ago listening to these guys till the early hours. Unsettling political rumours, maybe even war all about but right in front of you, these guys are playing their hearts out and you just don't care about anything else....

Edit to add: Put an hour or so of Django on during road trips. Time flies.

[if..fish..had..wings]

18. My nephew is named after him

Django is one of the greats!
Loved his work forever.

[LudwigPastorius]

19. The OTHER best guitarist you've never heard of:

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