Tim Kliphuis & Jimmy Grant Under Paris Skies

“Django Under Paris Skies” highlights the origins and evolution of European gypsy jazz, a style born in the 1930s and 40s. Django Reinhardt, one of the first major jazz talents in Europe, formed the influential Quintette du Hot Club de France with violinist Stéphane Grappelli in 1934. Their group was among the first to showcase the guitar as a lead jazz instrument.

Reinhardt’s legacy is as much about resilience as it is about innovation. After a fire left him with severe burns on his left hand, doctors doubted he would ever play again. But during his recovery, Reinhardt adapted his technique, developing a unique style that relied almost entirely on just two fingers.

The history surrounding the music adds gravity to the performance. During World War II, the Romani Gypsies, including Reinhardt, faced persecution and genocide. Jazz itself was condemned by the Nazi regime as un-German, but the music persisted.