

Django lifes his first young years in that area, filled up with french Manouches (Gypsies) and many more immigrated nationalities of all european countries that lived there.
He grows up there, wondering around with other gypsy-kids and soon he starts to play Banjo (see image left below).

This uncle is excited to hear young Django´s already very creative play, so much that Django is allowed to accompanying him with his band for the first gigs. In 1924 at the age of 14, his mother Negros buys Django his first guitar as a present.

Very soon Django gets recognized amongst the parisian musicians, until in the end of 1925 Django is introduced to the famous accordeonist Guerino, beeing asked by him to play for his own orchestra at the

In 1926, about 15-16 years old, Django meets a beautiful black-haired Manouche-girl namend Sophie Irma Ziegler, also called "Naguine" (image left).
Both meet like "love at first sight" and spent their days and nights together from that day on. Although Naguine will have to wait for some time on her chance, as she will become Django Reinhardts´s second wife just later on. But first in 1927 the dream of the young love vanishes quickliy again.
Already then Django is a kind of fickle charakter who loves to play Billiard and Cards, smokes and drinks. Also during the later years he often rather remains staying in a bistro, at a night club playing an exciting Billiard match or going fishing, as instead to be at his appointments or gigs in time or even showing up at all...
Read more -> Django Reinhardt - Private Life (3/6)
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