ABSTRACT
Belgian jazz guitarist, born Jean Baptiste Reinhardt in Liberchies. Reinhardt was born to a traveling gypsy family; as a child, he took up violin, then switched to banjo and guitar. In 1928 his left hand was severely damaged in a fire, and he lost the use of two fingers. Despite this injury, Reinhardt developed a lightning fast technique, playing streams of single notes and extended chords. He played in Paris from the late 1920s, accompanying popular singer Jean Sablon (1906-1994) in the early 1930s. In 1934 Reinhardt formed a group with violinist Stephane Grappelli, which became known as the Quintet of the Hot Club of France. Their first session was made in December 1934 for the Ultraphone label in Paris, and consisted of covers of American jazz favorites, including the pop song “Dinah.” Over the next few years, the group cut several sessions in Paris and London for the European Ultraphone, Decca, and HMV labels, including several original GrappelliReinhardt compositions, notably “Clouds” (Nuages), first recorded in Paris in a July 1935 session, and “Minor Swing” (Paris, 25 Nov 1937). Reinhardt and Grappelli also played on sessions by American jazz players in Paris, notably Coleman Hawkins. The Quintet’s recordings were hugely influential, not only in Europe but also in the U.S., particularly after World War II when servicemen brought home the Quintet’s records they had acquired in France. The group was separated during the war, with Reinhardt remaining in Paris and Grappelli living in London. In 1946 Reinhardt was invited by Duke Ellington to join him on a tour of the U.S. as a featured soloist. After he played for the last time with Grappelli
in 1949, Reinhardt embraced the electric guitar and experimented with new styles. His death in Fontainebleau, France, brought a great display of mourning and a lavish funeral in Paris. [Stroff 1988/5.]
REV. CARL BENSON
American dance band leader and violinist, born in Boston. He studied to be a concert violinist, then directed a salon orchestra and gained success with it, mostly in Boston during the 1920s. The Reisman orchestra was one of the finest in the “sweet band” category, playing without tricks or excess sentimentality. They first recorded for Columbia in 1921, and had an immediate hit with “Bright Eyes” (#A-3366). In the late 1920s the Reisman specialty had become Broadway and Hollywood show tunes. Fred and Adele Astaire were heard on 1931 Reisman recordings from The Band Wagon, as well as Noel Coward in a medley of his songs. Astaire returned to sing “Cheek to Cheek” in 1935 (Brunswick #7486). Among the men who played in the orchestra were Eddie Duchin (piano) and Adrian Rollini (saxophone); Smith Ballew, Frank Luther, Lee Wiley, Dick Robertson, Clifton Webb, and Anita Boyer were among the vocalists. Several of the early Victor long-playing records of the 1930s featured Reisman. In 1935 he left Victor for Brunswick, but did not carry his success with him; the swing bands were rising in public interest, and there was the general slump of the Depression to deal with. Reisman was back with Victor in the late 1930s and became identified with the “society orchestra” group, those that played for gatherings of the wealthy. In the mid-1940s Reisman moved to Decca, and was active until the early 1950s. He died in Miami, Florida.
