Django Reinhardt: Americans in Paris (1935-1937)

In the 1930s, Europe was a haven for some of the top black American jazz musicians. It offered three main advantages. 1) It was an escape from the institutional racism of the United States although Germany was to be avoided after Hitler's rise in power in 1933. 2) While thought of as lower class entertainment by many in the USA, jazz musicians were treated as artists in Europe where jazz was ranked near classical music in importance. 3) Being in Europe gave the best jazz musicians an opportunity to play with guitarist Django Reinhardt and violinist Stephane Grappelli.

Jean Baptiste "Django" Reinhardt, who was born 23 January 1910 in Liverchies, Belgium, was unquestionably the premier guitarist in jazz after the death of Eddie Lang in 1933. Despite only being able to use two fingers on one of his hands due to a fire in the late 1920s, he was able to construct powerful solos that overcame the problems of playing a barely audible acoustic guitar. Stephane Grappelli (born 26 January 1908 in Paris) ranked with Joe Venuti, Eddie South and the up-and-coming Stuff Smith as jazz's top violinist in the 1930s. Although their personalities were different, with Grappelli being sophisticated and reliable while Reinhardt lived a gypsy's lifestyle and was barely literate, musically they made for a perfect match. Starting in 1933 they worked together regularly as co-leaders of the Quintet Of The Hot Club Of France, a group also including two rhythm guitars and a bass.