Django's UK Itinerary 1948 - Aged 38
 

The quintet arrived in England. they have their 'material' (instruments or Luggage) stolen so the rhythm section of the band returns to France leaving Django and Grapelli to form the Quintet with English players.  Or was it a Post War Musicians Union ruling.

March, 1948: Django & Stephane arrive in the UK to tour with the English String Quintet and as always organised by Lew Grade.

In 1948 Mitchell was called on to play with Stephane Grappelli and Django Reinhardt for an eight-week tour of Sweden. All other references to this tour indicate the group was Malcolm Mitchell, Alan Mindel (gtrs) and Teddy Wadmore (bass).

In fact, Mitchell wrote an article confirming that particular combination for Scandinavia.

On Stage - L/R: Stephane Grappelli, Alan Mindell, Django, Teddy Wadmore, Malcolm Mitchell

Alan Mindell was essentially a dance band Rhythm Guitarist and Teddy Wadmore went on to play in various odd groups including one of Alexis Korner's.

The Malcolm Mitchell Trio's first professional engagement was to open a new night-club in Nice, only to find the premises boarded up and the promoter nowhere to be seen. Virtually penniless, they took to busking, and found a restaurant where they could play for meals and tips. After a few weeks they were heard by an official of the Monte Carlo Casino and played there for the rest of the winter season, even doing a session for Prince Rainier at his palace.

Pete Chilver and Dave Goldberg also met Django and Stephane on a jam on an earlier trip. 

22nd March: BBC TV Studios. The Quintet appeared in the BBC TV program "Stars In Your Eyes".

27th March: BBC TV Studios. The Quintet appeared in the BBC TV program "Stars In Your Eyes". Other guests included Vera Lynn. 

29th March: Empire Theatre, Wood Green for a week.

It transpires that Louis Gallo and friend, Len Williams (father of classical guitar giant, John) were set to interview the great gypsy backstage after the Hot Club’s performance at the Wood Green Empire, London in the 1940s for a review. (Len seen here without his later beard. John is a close likeness).
Len was editor of  the guitar periodical Modern Guitar and later Fretted Harmony magazine. However, as was the tendency in those days, whilst the performers were receiving their tumultuous applause at the end of a fantastic display of virtuosity, audience members would start to leave the Theatre in order to ensure they caught the bus home! Transport was very different in those Days.
Django, who was used to a level of adulation normally afforded a Prince, noticed that certain audience members were leaving the theatre before he had left the stage, becoming incensed! How dare they! He was not amused and took this ‘insult’ very personally indeed.
Our two intrepid reporters, having noticed this from their seats eagerly but nervously made their way to the master’s dressing room, aware to some extent of Django’s displeasure. Len as magazine editor went on ahead. Django was in no mood to be interviewed, full stop. The tantalizing piece here though is that Louis Gallo could closely see his hero through the open dressing room door, almost within touching distance, but would never meet him! A memory of tantalizing proportions!

5th April: Empire Theatre, Chiswick for a week. The Quintet then leaves to tour Scandinavia

 

24th May: Ardwick Hippodrome, Manchester for a week.
 

31st May: Empire Theatre: Shepherd's Bush for a week.
and that was the last time for Django in the UK

http://www.djangomontreal.com/doc/Biography.htm

Django on a bicycle powered 'Tuk Tuk' 1948 Emmanuel Soudieux, Joseph Reinhardt, Stéphane Grappelli, Louis Vola

Bert Weedon some years ago who told me he actually played with Django on one of his two visits - P V Chester

Francois Vermeille, André Ekyan, Django, Christian Garros, Jean Bouchety, Le Touquet 1949