“Nuages” | Stories of Standards

Guitarist Django Reinhardt wrote and recorded “Nuages” (French for “clouds”) in wartime France (1939).

The melody is seen by some as expressive of Reinhardt’s melancholy regarding the Nazi occupation of Paris, although the tempo was greatly varied in different performances.

“Nuages” went on to become one of Reinhardt’s most popular songs. During the war when “La Marseilleise” was banned, this tune was adopted by many as an alternative national anthem.

Tune in to First Take with Lando and Chavis – weekdays from 6-9 am MT – for Stories of Standards to hear our favorite versions of this song all week long!

Reinhardt (1910 – 1953) embraced music as a child and never ceased. He acquired his first instrument, a kind of banjo/guitar hybrid, at 12 years old and started his professional career shortly afterwards.

Reinhardt biographer Michael Dregni quotes bass player Emmanuel Soudieux as saying “Django was music made into a man.”

In 1928, a fire cost Reinhardt two fingers and came close to costing a leg as well. He spent two years recuperating and developing the primary form of the style he was to use the rest of his life.

When World War II broke out, Reinhardt was touring England with the band Le Quintette du Hot Club de France. Violinist Stephane Grappelli stayed behind in England, but Django returned to France and managed to continue playing despite Nazi persecution of his family, friends, and fellow musicians.

A Luftwaffe official named Dietrich Schulz-Köhn, also known as “Doktor Jazz,” is credited with helping to keep Reinhardt out of the concentration camps.

Groundbreaking techniques in chord arpeggios and finger styling made Le Quintette du Hot Club de France one of the more influential bands of the 20th century. The group introduced the concepts of “lead guitar,” “rhythm guitar,” and the use of guitar for percussion, which have been widely adopted.

Reinhardt’s widespread and strong musical influence have caused many to regard him as one of the greatest guitarists of all time. Chet Atkins, for example, regards Reinhardt as the best.

Julian Bream, Carlos Santana, Mark Knopfler, Les Paul, and Peter Frampton are among Reinhardt’s admirers, while Jimi Hendrix named Band of Gypsies in Django’s honor. In addition, Reinhardt was a great inspiration to guitarists who sustained hand injuries, including Jerry Garcia and Black Sabbath’s Tony Iommi.

In 1951, Reinhardt collapsed from a brain hemorrhage while traveling home. His death at the age of 43 was a tremendous loss for musicians and listeners around the world.

Reinhardt was inducted into the Big Band and Jazz Hall of Fame in 1984.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JtjoQm4ncoc