The Real Reinhardt
In 1940, the jazz guitar virtuoso Django Reinhardt was on tour in England with his first band, The Quintet of the Hot Club, which included his brother on rhythm guitar as well as his principal collaborator, the violinist Stephane Grappelli. Django's wife and child were also on tour with him. While on the road the group received some awful news; the Germans had declared war on France. The reaction was nearly unanimous; try to extend their stay in England and hustle some more gigs, then possibly make their way to the United States. Django was the lone dissenting voice. Emphatically declaring his love for his homeland, he abruptly left his family and departed for France. Django lies low in the provinces during the Battle of France. He returns once it is clear that Paris will be spared and the Vichy government will be in control. Upon his arrival, Django appears before the Nazi Censorship Committee. He explains to the Nazis that he is greatest guitarist ever known and that b