Jimmy Rosenberg was a child prodigy who could play some of Django’s most difficult solos by the tender age of 10. He has gone on to become one of the most technically proficient and creative Gypsy guitarists of this generation.

This rare Gypsy Kings influenced Latin style recording shows Jimmy’s incredible proficiency. He was around 16 when this was recorded.

MP3: Margherita

For more Jimmy Rosenberg see his CDs:

Swinging with Vetavo, Angelo, & Jimmy

Django Reinhardt NY Festival: Live at Birdland

Hot Shots

The One and Only

Rose Room

Django’s Tiger

Ola & Jimmy

Live

Trio

For Video of Jimmy see: Gypsy Jazz Jam DVD and Django Legacy VHS.

Serge Krief has been at the center of the Parisian Gypsy jazz scene for over a decade. Unlike most of the top players, Serge is not a Gypsy. He is a Sephardic Jew of North African descent. He is known for both his mastery of the Gypsy tradition and his willingness to experiment with new ideas. These traits are demonstrated in this excellent performance of Django’s classic Blues en mineur.

For more Serge Krief see: The Django Legacy and the Bireli Lagrene DVD.

The video archive is dedicated to Mary Honcoop. She generously shared her large collection of Gypsy videos with nearly anyone who asked. The video archive aims to continue her generosity now that she is gone.

The Video Archive is devoted surviving video of Django Reinhardt and other masters of the Gypsy jazz genre. If you enjoy these videos consider making a donation.

To view this video you need Real Player software. Download for free here: Real Player

Biréli Lagrène is one of the most accomplished jazz guitarists active today. His career, which started around the age of 10, has included performances with some of the world’s top musicians. He has shared the stage with fusion guitarist Larry Coryell, fretless bass pioneer Jaco Pastorius, and accordion virtuoso Richard Galliano. Biréli is a master of numerous styles including bebop, fusion, and swing. He is also a multi instrumentalist with phenomenal skill on guitar (electric and acoustic), electric bass, and drums.

However, Bireli’s musical roots lie in the music of Django Reinhardt. Like most Sinti children, he was immersed in Django’s music from a very young age. While growing up in the Gypsy camps of the Alsace region of Eastern France, he developed incredible technical and improvisational skill. His talent was quickly recognized, resulting in performances across Europe as a young as age 10.

This video shows Bireli, around the age of 12, playing in the traditional Django style. Watch his right hand closely, it is THE best example of the powerful Gypsy Picking technique. Bireli is joined on this performance by his brother Gaiti Lagrene on rhythm guitar. He lays down a hard “German style” pompe which is characteristic of Gypsies from Alsace.

In this clip, Bireli demonstrates his multi-instrumental ability by switching to bass half way through the song.

For more Bireli Lagrene video see his excellent DVDs: Live in Paris, Live a Vienne, Super Guitar Trio and the documentary The Django Legacy.

Also check out Bireli Largene’s CDs: Move, Gypsy Project, Gypsy Project and Freinds, Routes to Django and Bireli Swing ’81 2 CDs, Live at Carnegie Hall – A Tribute to Django Reinhardt 2 CDs, New York Tango, Special Guests, Blue Eyes, Live in Marciac, My Favorite Django, Gipsy Feeling, Zum Trotz, Jimmy, Biréli & Angelo, Broadway Blues and Teresa 2 CDs, Live in Italy and Honestly 2 CDs.

The video archive is dedicated to Mary Honcoop. She generously shared her large collection of Gypsy videos with nearly anyone who asked. The video archive aims to continue her generosity now that she is gone.

The Video Archive is devoted surviving video of Django Reinhardt and other masters of the Gypsy jazz genre. If you enjoy these videos consider making a donation.

To view this video you need Real Player software. Download for free here: Real Player