Gypsy Jazz founders Django Reinhardt and Stephane Grappelli were both born this month in the first decade of the 20th century. Rooted in African-American communities of the South, jazz became popular in Europe in the 1920s and '30s and influenced the development of other styles. WRTI's Susan Lewis has more on "Gypsy jazz."
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Radio Script:
MUSIC: Tears, by Django Reinhardt and Stephane Grappelli, performed by the Hot Club of Philadelphia.
Susan Lewis: Guitarist Django Reinhardt grew up French Romani, a tradition surrounded by gypsy music, which he and violinist Stephane Grappelli infused with aspects of American jazz at the Hot Club of France in the 1930s. The result? Gypsy jazz – played by violin, bass, and, as the primary rhythmic element – guitar. Guitarist Barry Wahrhaftig.
Barry Wahrhaftig: So the pomp is this percussive thing.
MUSIC: "Besame Mucho" by Consuelo Velazquez, performed by The Hot Club of Philadelphia
SL: Wahrhaftig, who founded the Hot Club of Philadelphia in 2000, says the style also reflects Reinhardt’s distinctive guitar technique.
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BW: I think he really tried to emulate Louis Armstrong. When I hear Django [PLAYS] – these real percussive things he does up high, it's very punchy, like a trumpet. So, I think that he developed his own style influenced very much by these American players.
SL: Today, clubs and festivals around the world present Gypsy jazz. The Hot Club of Philadelphia’s repertoire includes folk melodies from different cultures, American jazz standards, and contemporary works.
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