Charleston - Quintette Du Hot Club De France (1937)

I’ve had the Charleston on my mind ever since I posted that Ben Selvin version last week. Here’s a much later version from a surprising source: Django Reinhardt and the Quintet of the Hot Club of France. Some great hot rhythms and energetic riffing here by both Grappelli and Reinhardt. Starting at 1:35, Reinhardt even starts playing in octaves, foreshadowing a style that Wes Montgomery would make famous twenty years later. This record was never issued concurrently on HMV or Victor and this issue on the Swing label represented its only release. Recorded in Paris, France on April 21, 1937. Released as Swing 2. Credits Stéphane Grappelli - violin Django Reinhardt, Marcel Bianchi, Pierre Ferret - guitar Louis Vola - bass