Django Reinhardt 1941

This rare original 1941 poster by the French illustrator André pays tribute to one of the greatest musical geniuses of the 20th century: Django Reinhardt. Created for Disques Swing, France’s premier jazz label of the era, the poster showcases a stylized portrait of Django at the peak of his career, his gaze confident, his presence magnetic—a fitting homage to a revolutionary artist.

Born in 1910 into a Manouche Romani family, Django Reinhardt developed an early passion for music, mastering the guitar and banjo by the age of 12. A devastating caravan fire at 18 left him with two paralyzed fingers on his fretting hand—a tragedy that would have ended most careers. But Django adapted, inventing a unique two-finger technique that gave birth to an entirely new sound: Gypsy jazz or Jazz Manouche.

His music blended the fluid swing of American jazz with the rhythmic complexity and melodic spirit of Romani folk traditions, creating a virtuosic style that was as soulful as it was technically dazzling. His partnership with violinist Stéphane Grappelli in the Quintette du Hot Club de France produced some of the most iconic recordings in jazz history, influencing everyone from Charlie Christian to Wes Montgomery and even modern guitarists like Pat Metheny.

The poster, printed during the German occupation of France, carries even greater weight. Jazz was frowned upon by Nazi authorities, yet Django’s music persisted, embodying a quiet form of resistance through art. His compositions like “Minor Swing,” “Nuages,” and “Daphne” remain essential standards in the jazz repertoire.

André’s design captures this spirit—elegant and poised, yet quietly defiant. The warm tones and smooth gradients echo Django’s fluid phrasing, while the bold typography gives the image the prominence it deserves. It’s more than just a promotional piece—it’s a cultural monument to a self-taught, self-made innovator who changed the course of modern music.

Music - Jazz - Gypsy Jazz

Swing Records

Printed by A. Karcher in Paris

Good condition, dirt, slight creases, small loss at the top right