Django and Louis Armstrong

Teddy Dupont

An extract from Leonard Feather's review of the Carnegie Hall concerts:-

"However, as the disappointed over-expectants pointed out, he cannot hold his own as an all-round musician, or as a jazzman, with such great American artists as Oscar Moore, Barney Kessel, Chuck Wayne, Mary Osborne, Johnny Collins and the other top people in jazz on this instrument."

He was also very critical of Django's late arrival (10.30pm) to the second concert saying he arrived dishevelled and suggesting he must have been having a good time. There have been several explanations as to why Django was late, one of which would indicate he was "having a good time". I do have sympathy with Feather's criticism of Django lateness but not his musical ability. For some reason, Feather never liked Django's playing. He also compared him very unfavourably with Oscar Aleman.

Teddy Dupont

........It did not stop him turning up to the opening of Django's gig at Cafe Society Uptown and hanging around like some star struck sycophant (far left in the attached photo).

Bones

Oh man, like I said, Django could show up today and play like that! Timeless... Feather??? WTF??? Just goes to show you. Music critics. Meh.

Buco

That second picture makes me think there might be something to that "get that smoke off my face!" theory.

Sarcastic critics on the side, that didn't change one bit.
What stumps me is that the US tour is historically generally viewed as not successful, if not a failure.
It may have been organized somewhat haphazard and it fell short of Django's expectations of glamour and fame but the playing is spectacular.
Had he lived and returned, this time around it probably would have been closer to what he wanted it to be the first time, it'd probably be better planned and executed. I could see him moving to the States for a time.
But alas...

Matteo

If he had had the possibility tog meet, play and perform with Gillespie, Parker et al it would have been a totally different story.

Teddy Dupont

The visit to America was definitely poorly organised. There was no attempt to incorporate Django into the Ellington orchestra. There were no band arrangements designed to feature Django. He simply played a few numbers at the end of the concerts accompanied by a small rhythm section from the orchestra, including Ellington. The Duke was clearly to blame for this. He could have easily included Django into existing arrangements with only minor adaptations to feature Django's soloing. All Django needed was to hear the arrangements a couple of times and he could have fitted in immediately. That would have made his performances far more impactful, a point made by several critics. Having said that, many people who saw him did feel he played brilliantly.

Cafe Society Uptown was not the right venue for Django and he was playing with the wrong musicians there. The indications are that it was not a successful gig and Django soon became disenchanted with it and, as a result, became homesick.

Teddy Dupont

.......Richard Lieberson once told me that he knew a guitarist who had seen Django perform at Cafe Society Uptown. This guitarist said Django played only short sets and during his breaks, stood outside alone, smoking a cigarette and being completely ignored by everyone.

Bones

Matteo, seems like he was hearing the bebop stuff for sure. That would have been awesome. Oh well...

Buco, yeah if he were around today he would get the recognition and promotion that he deserved! I bet if he were to appear today at Carnegie and played what he played back then it would still sound fresh and he would probably get a standing ovation.