1933-1943: Django Reinhardt and the Singers

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Before Django Reinhardt and Stephane Grappelli formed the Quintet of the Hot Club of France in 1934, French pop singers, eager to add a dash of Gypsy flair to their recordings, sought out the young guitarist in his caravan on the outskirts of Paris. Twenty-two of the 24 tracks on Django Reinhardt and the Singers date from 1933 to 1935, and feature a fascinating glimpse of the young guitarist at the start of his career, when he was still feeling his way into jazz. Jean Sablon, who was dubbed the French Bing Crosby for his crooning vocal style, is featured on the lion's share of tracks. Sablon was one of the first musicians to recognize Reinhardt's genius, and they put together a number of charming performances, including a version of Disney's "Who's Afraid of the Big Bad Wolf" sung in French. Other singers include Pierre Lord, who delivers a languid Gallic take on "Smoke Gets in Your Eyes," and Charles Trenet, who sings a delightful song based on the fable of the Ant and the Grasshopper. These songs may not be as well known as Reinhardt's work with the Hot Club, but nearly every one of his solos is imbued with his unmistakable panache. --Michael Simmons

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