REINHARDT Django (arr. M Baker), Minor Swing
‘Minor Swing’ (composed in 1937) is one of the most popular and celebrated compositions of legendary gypsy jazz guitarist, Django Reinhardt (1910-1953). He recorded the piece six times throughout his career in various different guises, most famously with Stéphane Grappelli and the Quintette du Hot Club de France in 1937, and it is considered to be one of his most covered works. It was included on the Aquarelle Guitar Quartet’s 2012 Chandos Records CD, ‘Final Cut’ inspired by the inclusion of ‘Minor Swing’ in the film ‘Chocolat’ (2000). Johnny Depp’s performance of ‘Minor Swing’ makes up a memorable part of the Golden Globe-winning soundtrack (for Best Original Score) by Rachel Portman (b.1960), and perfectly depicts the gypsy origins of Depp’s character.