PAUL VERNON CHESTER

Manouche Maestro

Joseph 'Nin Nin' Reinhardt 1912-82

Joseph could be found accompanying his brother in cafes and in the bal-musette halls on either guitar or banjo and soon progressed to play with Louis Volas's Palm beach Orchestra. By 1933 he was popular and was found playing in various groups playing hot jazz. He even filled in for his brother on several occasions when Django failed to show up. By 1934 he was a full time guitarist in Le Quintette du Hot Club de France alongside his brother. Other roles including being Django's guitar carrier and spare string keeper, this eventually got the better of him and he decided to quit in 1937.

Savé Racine, Sarah Reinhardt (sister), Joseph Reinhardt, Kuick Reinhardt

Joseph Reinhardt in the Hot Club Garden
with Aimé Barelli, Pierre Fouad, Charles Hary, Jerry Mengo, Hubert Rostaing

Being a guitarist and a sibling of Django Reinhardt had its advantages and disadvantages, but Joseph “Nin Nin” Reinhardt’s (1912-1982) aptitude for pounding out le pompe on his Selmer Grande Bouche provided both foundation and fuel for his legendary brother’s flights of fretboard fancy. Besides grounding Le Hot Club de France, Nin Nin was a fine bandleader and soloist, as you can hear on Joseph Reinhardt Live in Paris

Joseph with Diz Disley

After his brothers death in 1953 Joseph laid down the guitar and did not start playing seriously again until 1957, at this point he attempted to finish Django's unfinished Messe Gitane. In 1958 he appeared in the documentary "Django Reinhardt" which led to his appearance in a short film Paris Blues (1961). At this time he formed his own quintette and recorded two LP's

Joseph's Homemade Guitar Bric a Brac 1955
Joseph "Nin Nin" Reinhardt, Django's brother. In this clip Django's brother Joseph demonstrates his considerable skill as a soloist and composer. The unusual Soundhole Pickup amplified flat top guitar he is playing was supposedly built by Joseph himself. In many photos from after Django's death, Joseph can be seen holding this same guitar. Also take note that Joseph's accompanist, Vivian Villerstein, is playing American style flat four rhythm on an archtop guitar. These are all characteristics of the post-Django era in Paris, in which musicians tended to stray away from Django's style and repertoire.

The 60's was quite an active period for Joseph, recording with his own string quintet and at the "Blue Jazz Museum" with his regular accompanists of the period, Dingo Adel and Jacques Montangene - "Live in Paris 1966". He appeared at several concerts, performed in various Paris nightclubs occasionally with Babik Reinhardt and even visited the UK, playing and recording with Diz Disley. By the 1970's, however, his public performances had reduced although he did appear at the Samois Festival.

Joseph Plays 'Nuages' at Samois 1978

Memorial Concert for Django

Joseph apparently still lived the nomadic existence of his forebears and enjoyed nature at first hand, he showed this love for nature in various paintings of caravan scenes, campfires, horses etc..

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Last modified: 25/08/2010