Acoustic Gypsy Jazz inspired by Django Reinhardt. Powerful rhythms and passionate joyful solos, this CD swings.

10 MP3 Songs
JAZZ: Swing/Big Band, JAZZ: Traditional Jazz Combo



Details:
I live in Minneapolis Minnesota. Here is how I came to this music...

By the year 1997 my musical endeavors had largely been collaborative creative projects that leaned toward pop or alternative music. I was interested in studying other genres and expanding my level of musical awareness. Jazz seemed a daunting curiosity whose secrets held many rewards.

I heard this style of music for the first time on KBEM FM Jazz 88.5 while driving in Minneapolis. The music was strikingly beautiful. I was moved to the extent that I called the station for the artist's name: Django Reinhardt and the Quintet of the Hot Club of France. I had never heard guitar played with such virtuosity. I rushed out and purchased my first Django CD.

I have a personal reward system I use. When I purchase music I open it only after completion of a specific project, be it home or music related. The Django CD was a monster. There it sat , calling me with its knowledge of how my life and musical path would soon change.

The day came when I played Django's music for the first time. The rhythm was hypnotic and each solo was full of expression and originality. I came to learn Django, a nomadic European gypsy was severely burned in a caravan fire which subsequently crippled his left hand. It was incomprehensible that a guitar player could suffer such a debilitating injury and with only two fully functioning fingers play so beautifully. Nothing made sense to me anymore. I was hooked.

I had an immediate need to begin playing this music but, I could barely play a major scale and figured an arpeggio was a dish my mother might prepare. I began to listen and study Django and more importantly, let his genius inspire me. I have learned to appreciate what his longtime musical partner Stéphane Grappelli said of him: "(Django) did more for the guitar than any other man in jazz."

My interest in Django has also caused me to study theory, embrace my voice on the instrument and generally dedicate myself to the guitar. I have worked professionally as a guitarist and music director in theatre, led and arranged music for a seven piece swing band, but it was not until a few weeks before this writing that I was asked to perform this music on a weekly basis. I wanted to capture the rawness and purity of expression that this music inspires. I feel breathing, squeaks and the brutal honesty of the acoustic guitar are important to capture. I may have different insights into this music a year from now after playing on a weekly basis. I must thank Matt Senjem, my longtime bass player and friend for agreeing to do this on a few days notice and one 30 minute rehearsal.

Music is one of the biggest maps for the soul. May it take you places you have always loved and introduce you to ones yet undiscovered.

June 2004 -R. Bell