Django, Baro, and Gangsters

Teddy Dupont

Poulette Castro, one of Django and Baro's very early "teachers" is crouched down in that group photo.

PapsPier

Hello Patrus has found a new lead to identify the people on one of the pictures, the picture with Django holding a trumpet, Delaunay, Naguine and two guys described as "suspicious looking". It could be Sava Nepus, a jazz fan, friend of Hugues Panassie who also knew Delaunay, Django etc. If this is confirmed, this picture doesnt really fit in Django and the gangsters anymore: it would be a picture of Django with other musicians, friends.
Sava Nepus can be seen here
https://www.nonegram.com/status/1081982463880374603_12149777

Teddy Dupont

...And Spatzo identified him as being top right in the famous 1939 photo of the Hot Club inauguration party.


screen shot on windows

spatzo

Dave Apollon met and played with Django Reinhardt while Django was on tour with Duke Ellington in New York In 1946. It was told by Dave Apollon himself on one of his vinyles (and it is indicated also on Wiki)...

PapsPier

Regarding the links between Parisian music scene and the gangsters, the book of souvenirs of Jo Privat by Claude Dubois had a wealth of information. Worth a read (but not easy for non french speakers as it is all written “argot”, pop jargon): Privat remembers tons of stories (including how Baro asked him to be the owner of one of his bars before La Lanterne)