Reviews:

Django Reinhardt was one of the greatest jazz guitarists of all time, and hisrecordings from the 1930s and ‘40s are remarkable in that they still soundfuturistic. Among guitarists during his lifetime, only Charlie Christian a cameclose to Django’s improvising abilities, hard-swinging style and lyricism.For four nights in the late fall of 2000, Birdland in New York hosted a festivaldedicated to Reinhardt. The remarkable acoustic guitarist Jimmy Rosenberg (whocan sound exactly like Django), rhythm guitarist Frank Vignola (who also had solos)and bassist Jon Burr (who had been in the late Stephane Grappelli’s band)formed a core trio, being joined on two numbers (“I Can’t Believe ThatYou’re in Love With Me” and “It Don’t Mean a Thing”)by the exciting violinist Regina Carter (with Joe Ascione on brushes), with appearancesby guitarists Bireli Lagrene and Bucky Pizzarelli, violinist Florin Niculescu,pianist Pete Malinverni, drummer Leroy Williams and (on two numbers) Django’sguitarist son, Babik Reinhardt (who has since passed away). The results are consistentlymemorable and often touching, with Rosenberg in fiery form on the swing standards(particularly “The Sheik of Araby” and “Limehouse Blues”),Django tunes and three catchy originals (two by Rosenberg and one by Babik). Highlyrecommended, particularly for lovers of the jazz guitar.