How many gypsy jazz guitarists do you know?
Django , Stochelo , Bireli , Joscho , olli … maybe 10 ?
It’s good to know the great guitarists so you can check them out and learn tricks they use.
I’ll introduce you 31 great gypsy guitarists. Check’em out!
1900-
Jean Poulette Castro
This man taught Django , Baro Ferret etc how to play guitar.
Jean-Joseph Baro Ferret(Born in 1908 , France)
Oldest brother of Ferret brothers.
Technically he was as good as Django but he did some gang things after quiting playing guitar saying ” I can’t play guitar like Django”.
Stephane Grappelli (Born in 1908 , France)
Django’s musical partner and Violinist. Actually django and he didn’t get along well because Django was jelouse at him , also very different personality.
Anyway Django wouldn’t get along with Gadjo (non-gypsies).
He played with Jimmy Rosenberg at around 1990. He was very old by then but it was great to see him.
Jean Django Reinhardt (Born 1910 in Belgium)
I guess No need to tell you who this is , right? We all thank him for giving us life !!
By the way, he was born in Belgium officially , because gypsies at this time go around belgium for winter and Django was born when they were there.
Joseph Nin-Nin Reinhardt (Born 1912 , france)
The brother of Django , Used to play rhythm guitar for Django but he also played cool solos .
After Django passed away , he said ” I’ll never play guitar ” and retired. But The friends encouraged him to play guitar again and he did.
Joseph Reinhardt , Stephane Grappelli , Daphne Live 1960
Lousson Reinhardt (Born in 1929 , France)
The first son of Djano by his first wife , Bella. However after he was born , Django and Bella separated and she remarried. Lousson’s birth name is Henri Baumgartner .
By the way Lousson is a nick name like Django. Romas often have nicknames and call each other as nickname.
He played like Django !!
1930-
Mondine Garcia (Born in 1936 , France)
Father of Ninine Garcia
Lois Faÿs
Father of Raphaël Faÿs
Raphaël et Louis Faÿs Sweet Georgia Brown (Bernie/Pinkard/Casey) – YouTube
Jean-Jacques Babik Reinhardt(Born in 1944 , France)
A son of Django. He plays jazz.
BABIK REINHARDT ” NUAGES” – YouTube
Tchavolo Schmitt(Born in 1954, France)
No need to say about him, is there? He is on a film called ”swing ’’ by Tony Gatlif
Tchavolo & Dorado Schmitt “Kali Sara” & “Tchavolo swing” – Latcho drom – YouTube
Jacques Ninine Garcia (Born in 1956 , France)
I saw him playing at La chope des puces in paris few years ago. Still a great guitarist !
Dorado Schmitt (Born in 1957 , France)
Cousin of Tchavolo Schmitt . He composed a famous gypsy jazz song called Bossa Dorado.
Raphaël Faÿs (Born in 1959 , France)
Son of Lois Faÿs . He preleased Albums every year since 1979 till around 2011. There are lots of his work out there.His play style is influenced by flamonco.
1960-
Lulu Reinhardt (Born in 1961 , Germany)
Son of Noto Reinhardt. He composed Noto swing and Lulu swing
Hänsche Weiss & Lulu Reinhardt – Lulu Swing
Bireli Lagrene (Born in 1966 , France)
One of the greatest gypsy jazz guitarist in the history. His style is mixed with fusion jazz , bebop etc.
His debut album is ” routes to Django” released when he was age of 14. Nin nin (brother of django) said Django is back when he heard Bireli .
Isaak Stochelo Rosenberg (Born in 1968 , Netherlands)
I guess many people know him as I often mentioned about Stochelo . He plays guitar like Django! He is the
Stochelo Rosenberg’s guitar and picks, Strings
Angelo Debarre (Born in 1962 , France)
His sound is unique like you would identify who is playing when you hear.
I met him few times at gypsy jazz restaurant called L’atelier Charonne in paris. by the way it seemes to be closed now , or at least no music since few years.
I bed they did’t make enough money by hiring all the big name of gypsy jazz musicians every night. Sad…
Patric Romane Leguidecoq (Born in 1959 , France)
Romane often plays with Stochelo Rosenberg. They always look happy and enjoying playing together!
You can also find his lessons on youtube.
Romane & Stochelo Rosenberg – For Wes – YouTube
Frank Vignola (Born in 1965 , America)
He played with Jimmy Rosenberg back old days. But he started playing more jazz than gypsy jazz. He crushed his ATV into a tree and injuries were severe in 2017. I haven’t heard if he started playing again or not.
Stephane Wrembel (Born in France)
Have you heard a song Bistro Fada by him? Great music! When I busk , I always play this song and brings me good chunk of money.
Robin Nolan (Born in 1968 , Vietnam)
He was born in Vietnam and grew up in several countries then moved to London. He lives in Holland and has online lessons called Gypsy Jazz secrets.
Samy Daissat (Born in 1972 , France)
Samy is one of a few Famous Non-Gypsy guitarists in Gypsy Jazz. I used to take lessons from him when I went to Paris. a nice guy and funny and you can answer anything you ask !!
Paulus Shäfer (Born in 1978 , Netherlands)
He was taught how to play guitar by Stochelo Rosenberg through the jams in their Campsite. It seems like He often plays with Olli Soikkeli.
Joscho Stephan (Born in 1979 , Germany)
He is one of the most talented Gypsy jazz guitarists. He has many unique ideas of soloing.
I often use his licks in my lessons.
Caravan – joscho Stephan – youtube
Yorgui Loeffler (Born in 1979 , France)
Relative to Bireli Lagrene. His style is also identical.
Noe Reinhardt (Born in 1979 , France)
Relative to David Reinhardt. He had a trio with David and Samy Daussat.
David Reinhardt (Born in 1986 , France)
Grand son of Django
Joseph Jimmy Rosenberg (Born in 1980 , Netherlands)
Cousin of Stochelo Rosenberg. He became very popular at young age , and he started taking drugs. He lost his inspiration after that…. But still he is Jimmy Rosenberg , One of the greatest guitarists!
This is the latest clip.
Jimmy Rosenberg in Poppodium VOLT (subtitles available in English)
Sebastien Giniaux (Born in 1981 , France)
Very special guitarist. check him out! This youtube is when he played in Taipei in 2019.
2019 Taipei Gypsy Jazz Festival – KASAPSKO HORO
Diknu Schneeberger (Born in 1990 , Austria)
One of my favorits. Young but great.
By the way his father Joschi Schneeberger had a band with Harri Stoika who is a famous gypsy guitarist in Austria.
Olli Soikkeli (Born in 1991 , Finkand)
He is wow ! Check this man out !
Joscho Stephan feat. Olli Soikkeli – Joseph Joseph
By the way if you want to learn Joseph joseph , Go to the link below !
Noé Reine (Born in 1999 , France)
Very young and talented. But his style sounds very jazzy.
Coclusion
There are more gypsy jazz guitarists out there. Listen to many musicians get you a better player , so find them out!