Django at 100

Django Reinhardt, one of Europe’s finest jazz guitar players, would have turned 100 on January 24. It’s fairly astonishing to think that he mastered the guitar as he did, elevating it to a lead jazz instrument, despite being self taught, and having lost the use of two fingers in a fire. (More on that in the LA Times.) Above, we feature Django and his group, Quintette du Hot Club de France, performing “J’Attendrai” (I Will Wait) in 1939. As you’ll note, he only has two fingers moving on the frets.