One of the greatest musicians in jazz history, Django Reinhardt (1910-1953) was born with the first name of Jean, a name affectionately rendered as “Django” in the French-speaking area of Belgium where he grew up. Of Manouche Romani descent, he gave up playing banjo when he discovered American jazz and befriended violinist Stéphane Grappelli. He achieved total mastery of the guitar despite losing the use of two fingers on his left hand in a fire. He died suddenly of a stroke.