Michael Dregni

At last, a biography of the man whom many call the greatest guitarist ever. Django Reinhardt was born in Belgium in 1910 to gypsy parents, and began playing music when he was twelve. At eighteen, he was almost killed in a fire that left him the use of only two fingers on his left hand. He went on to become Europe’s most dazzling jazz player with his Quintette du Hot Club de France (one of the best band names ever), and a musical legend in his own right, composing and playing complex, joyous songs with the dance built right in. Michael Dregni offers at least hints as to how this was accomplished when he reads from Django: The Life and Music of a Gypsy Legend. 3225 W. 69th St., Edina; 952-920-0633