Django Reinhardt is considered one of the greatest guitarists of all time, and the first European jazz musician to make a major contribution with a jazz guitar. Because of his physical handicap, he played mainly with his index and middle fingers, inventing a particular style of jazz guitar. His virtuosity, which incorporated many gypsy influences, was also accompanied by a superb sense of melodic invention and general musicality, timing, swing and dynamics. Django played entirely by ear, as he could neither read nor write music. This Golden Classics swing compilation album includes a mix of his best recordings, all carefully remastered, "Minor Swing", "Nuages", "Manoir de mes rêves", "Tears", "Tea For Two". Many guitarists such as Barney Kessel, Charlie Byrd and Wes Montgomery have cited Django Reinhardt as a major influence. Jeff Beck, Jerry Garcia, Tony Lommi and Willie Nelson have described Django as "by far the most amazing guitarist of all time".
