From December of 1934 to September of 1935, the Quintette du Hot Club de France, founded by gypsy guitarist Django Reinhardt and French violinist Stephane Grappelli, cut nearly 20 titles for the Parisian based branch of the German Ultraphone label. During the nine months they spent under contract with Ultraphone, their repertoire included some original compositions by members of the band, as well as classic jazz gems. The selections proposed here offer a sample of Django's early genius, who showed the jazz community that the "American way" of playing jazz was not the only one. Although the guitar and violin playing of Eddie Lang and Joe Venuti during the 1920s had planted the seeds of a so-called "chamber jazz" style, Django and Grappelli's approach was entirely new and innovative, opening a sound concept never before explored.

Track Listing
Dinah
Lady Be Good
I Saw Stars
Lily Belle May June
Sweet Sue, Just You
Confessin'
Swanee River
Ultrafox
Avalon
Smoke Rings
Clouds
Believe It Beloved
Chasing Shadows
I've Had My Moments
Some Of These Days
Djangology