Djano Reinhardt - Djangology - Blu-spec CD2

2013 Japanese pressing

In 1949, Django Reinhardt and Stephane Grappelli reunited for a brief tour of Italy. While they were there they recorded about 50 tunes with an Italian rhythm section, and although they didn't know it at the time, these sessions marked the last time the Gypsy guitarist and the French violinist recorded together. This Blu-spec CD2 collects 23 of the best tracks from those final sessions, including versions of Hot Club standards like "Minor Swing," "Bricktop," and "Swing 42."

Reinhardt and Grappelli don't try to recreate the raucous swing of their earlier collaborations, opting instead for an intriguing blend of romantic, almost classical melodic soloing and bebop-tinged harmonies and rhythms. The attempt doesn't always succeed, primarily because the three musicians on drums, bass, and piano are clearly out of their depth. But when the two masters click, as they do on "I Got Rhythm," they demonstrate an eagerness to explore the new musical possibilities offered by postwar jazz. Sadly Reinhardt died not long after he returned from Italy, so he and Grappelli were never able to continue their musical exploration, leaving the music on Djangology as a final farewell to one of the great partnerships in jazz.

Michael Simmons