REINHARDT DJANGO: (1910-1953) Romani-French jazz guitarist and composer, one of the first major jazz talents to emerge in Europe. An extremely rare vintage signed and inscribed 7 x 9.5 photograph of Reinhardt in a head and shoulders pose smoking a cigarette. Photograph by Teddy Piaz of Paris. Signed by Reinhardt in dark fountain pen ink to a clear area of the image, 'POUR BOB DJANGO Reinhardt', in his semi-literate hand. Autographs of Reinhardt are extremely rare in any form as both a result of his lack of formal education and his untimely death at the age of 43. Some very light, minor surface creasing and areas of silvering to the image, about VG

 

Provenance: The present photograph is accompanied by a statement of provenance signed by Lorraine Klaiss Myers in which she states that the signed photograph was 'given to my father in Paris, France where he met Django at his club, La Roulotte, during WWII in 1943', further explaining 'My father, Bob Klaiss, was a professional bass player from Philadelphia. PA, playing in Army bands during the war. He has since passed, but told me what a memorable experience it was to meet and hear the famous jazz guitarist perform at his club in Paris'. The statement also makes reference to an original 2.5 x 3 snapshot photograph taken by Bob Klaiss (included in the present lot) which depicts the entrance to La Roulette and features Reinhardt's name above the door. The photograph is annotated to the verso 'Paris, France, 1943', and also signed by Klaiss.