Django Reinhardt Anthology

by Mike Peters

Publication of The Goodman Group
Hal Leonard Publishing Corporation

Standard notation only


This book have been available for quite some times now. It's a bit like a fake book where you'll find only Django's compositions. It lacks the "Nuages" and some others but you'll be allright with this selection. What you have is the" head" of those songs and in some cases the complete transcription of Django's. Some are very good transcriptions of the complete solo.

I have an anecdote on that book. One day while in Toronto with Angelo Debarre just before a concert. I tought of bringing that book for the bass player, a pro from Montreal/Toronto that could always refer to that books, the reasons being that gypsies like Angelo are not really into the practice before a show. He just arrived the day before. Anyway, I have the book and Angelo looks at it, and then, he puts the book on the floor opened at the table of content page and says to me "Isn't it a great set list ?"

The most interesting solo transcriptions are the followings

Bolero December 14, 1937
Christmas Swing December 21, 1937
Echoes of Spain June 30, 1939
My sweet January 31, 1938
Mystery Pacific April 26, 1937
Naguine June 30, 1939
Stockholm September 1947
Souvenirs January 31, 1938
Swinging with Django December 7, 1937
Minor Swing November 25, 1937
Blues en mineur (Blues minor) November 1947
Blues October 1, 1940
Django's tiger January 31, 1946
Oiseaux des iles December 17, 1940
Rythme futur  October 1, 1940
Swing 41 December 13, 1940
Blues clair August 25, 1947
Just for fun  March 10, 1948
Deccaphonie April 8, 1953