May 16 will mark the 63rd anniversary of Django’s death. He died at the very early age of 43. Django has long been a major influence on my music. It is quite remarkable just how popular his music remains throughout the world.
I first discovered Django’s music when I was about 18 years old. While listening to the CBC (Canadian Broadcast Corporation) late one night I happened on a show that featured several tracks from the various periods of Django’s development. I was particularly struck by his “late period” which is generally considered the time shortly before his death (1949-1953). It was at this point that the influence of bebop was coming to the fore in his playing and compositions.