3 Eternal Songs by the Incredible Guitarist Django Reinhardt

Born on January 23, 1910, in Belgium, Django Reinhardt grew up to be one of the world’s greatest guitar players. Moreover, he did so missing the use of two fingers on his left, fret-board playing hand. Indeed, at 18 years old, Reinhardt was in a fire that badly burned him, including the fourth and fifth fingers of his left hand. Doctors thought he wouldn’t play guitar again. Boy, were they wrong.

Here below, we wanted to explore three songs from the artist that demonstrate both supreme ability and a knack for entertainment. These are three eternal songs by the incredible Reinhardt, who sadly passed away at just 43 years old in 1953, leaving the world wondering what else his fancy, flying hands could have created in his later years.

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“Minor Swing” (1937)

Django Reinhardt was famous for his chunking chords that were accompanied with playful, almost dancing leads that dipped and dived, played and pranced on his fret board. This instrumental song, which he wrote, is example No. 1. “Minor Swing,” which was recorded first in 1937, shows just how nimble the player was, just how capable he was, and how his songs also sounded so lovely when accompanied by a singing violin.

“Limehouse Blues” (1936)

This song, which was written by British duo Douglas Furber and Philip Braham, was first heard in 1921 and was recorded by Reinhardt 15 years later in 1936. Another fast-moving instrumental number that showcases the guitar player’s free spirit and soaring soul, the track is the kind you might hear on a warm night while people from the neighborhood gather for a dance. Except this song was played by a superhero of guitar.

“Belleville” (1943)

Another composed by Reinhardt, this song has since become a standard for those who play the style of jazz music he came to be famous for. This song was first recorded in 1943. It opens with quick solo before going into the chunking chords. Accompanied by a clarinet, this instrumental number is enough to fill your heart and soul with glee before setting your dancing feet a-twinkling. Bask in the majesty that was the influential artist.

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