In this centennial year of the birth of Django Reinhardt, by all means go out to hear and dance at the many Bay Area celebrations and tributes to the incomparable French Gypsy jazz guitarist who invented the string-band style of Le Hot Club of 20's, 30's and 40's Paris, but also treat yourself to this biography written with the grace of a novel, the research of a master journalist, and the passion of a musician. Michael Dregni, guitarist and frequent Vintage Guitar magazine writer, performs a feat of scholarship, tracing the life of a nearly non-literate genius who left exactly two paper documents in his own hand. This lively book will redouble your admiration for the colorful, charming, at times vexatious early jazz innovator who struggled out of the music "industry's" straightjackets to follow his own vanguard heart.See if the book is on the shelf at the Mission Branch...
Django: The Life and Music of a Gypsy Legend
Also, check out these Django Reinhardt CDs from the Mission Branch...
The Best of Django Reinhardt
The complete Django Reinhardt and Quintet of the Hot Club of France swing/HMV sessions 1936-1948
Judy
