Illustrated Django

wayne nakamura

I recently received my copy of "Django Reinhardt and the Illustrated History of Gypsy Jazz" and wanted to to thank Michael Dregni for producing this wonderful book for us. If you haven't ordered a copy, do yourself a favor and order it today!

The book is 200+ pages, 10" x 10", full color. It is filled with photos, many rare and previously unseen, which were contributed by people like Scot W., Ted G, Michael D, Alain A, Alain C. etc.

This is a book that I've been waiting for, for a long time. Not this specific book, but rather something that would fill-in the large gaps in my knowledge about the world of gypsy jazz. Michael has done a superb job of assembling all these photos and antecdotes about our little world. I particularily liked Alain Antonietto's story of meeting Django's sister at a flea market and being introduced to the gypsy world. What better way to be exposed to this world than through Django's sister. Talk about right place, right time.

I love the Charles book and Michael's Django bio, but this is the essential book to read, IMO. There are many sources to learn the basic history or the music, or the development of the instrument(s) or how to play in this style, but this book, through its photos and interviews brings the reader closer to the center of the scene than anything else I've seen so far.

Can't put it down. Once again thanks to all who participated for sharing! You guys are the best!

Wayne Nakamura