Song of the Day: Django Reinhardt “Nuages”

Penned by the renowned master of ‘Gypsy Jazz’ guitar, comes this simply, yet lushly orchestrated ode to clouds.  Django Reinhardt, not satisfied with his initial October 1940 recording of this song, returned to the studio on December 13th 1940, this time with two clarinetists in tow, to achieve the sound he was after. He pulled the tempo back a bit and produced an immaculate rendering of this gem, which has gone on to become a jazz standard. Take note of the harmonics Django employs in the first 8 bars of his solo, before unleashing his soaring runs, while always artfully implying the melody of the tune. Originally an instrumental work, French and English lyrics have since been added. Vocal versions of the tune have been recorded by the likes of the great Tony Bennet and the French 1950’s icon Lucienne Delyle.

Jean ‘Django’ Reinhardt (January 1910-May 1953), was born in Belgium to a gypsy family of Manouche Romani descent. The name ‘Django’ was unusual, loosely translating to “One Who Awakes”. His first instrument was violin and from a young age, he was surrounded by musician family members in the Romani encampments in and around Paris in which he lived.  He married at age 17, and he nearly lost his life shortly thereafter. He and his wife’s caravan caught fire after Django knocked over a candle on his way to bed,  igniting the highly flammable artificial flowers which decorated the interior. Django suffered first and second degree burns all over his body, and was left with the use of only two fingers on his left hand. Doctors told him that he would never play guitar again. Through sheer determination and perseverance, he not only retaught himself to play, but went on to be regarded as one of the greatest guitarists of all time and has become the most famous European Jazz musician of all time.