Biography
If talent were strictly a matter of lineage, Babik Reinhardt would rank as the foremost Gypsy jazz guitarist of his generation, observed Andy Mackenzie. Numerous players have traced paths laid down by Django Reinhardt, yet Babik received that inheritance directly as the jazz pioneer’s second son. Mackenzie pointed out that, despite this connection, Babik showed scant inclination to replicate his father’s approach. Born in Paris on June 8, 1944, the younger Reinhardt received his initial guitar instruction from his mother, Naguine Reinhardt, then absorbed further techniques from uncles and cousins. Django, convinced that pianists would enjoy steadier employment, introduced him to the keyboard, but Babik ultimately gravitated back to the guitar. He was nine years old at the time of his father’s death.
Reaching maturity in an era distinct from Django’s, Babik absorbed influences that extended past acoustic jazz guitar to encompass electric stylists such as Wes Montgomery and Jimmy Raney. Mackenzie remarked that Babik prudently developed an electric guitar style that was sufficiently personal and far-removed from that of his father to allow him his own identity and to avoid unwanted comparisons. In the 1960s he cut his debut album, Swing 67, alongside the Arvanitis Trio, although Fred Sharp later judged that Reinhardt’s command had not yet reached full maturity. Over time he gravitated toward jazz fusion, at times performing with nothing more than his Gibson ES-175 and a bass accompanist. He also collaborated with fellow fusion musicians Larry Coryell and Didier Lockwood.
Babik Reinhardt proved a composer in his own right, much like his father. Sharp noted that he composed many pieces and his ballads have all the warmth and expression of his father’s compositions. On November 13, 2001, Babik Reinhardt suffered a fatal heart attack in Cannes on the French Riviera; he was 57. Sharp reflected that the music and legend of Django Reinhardt has lived on for over 65 years. Babik has surely inherited all the musicality of his father, while not trying to copy him.
Reaching maturity in an era distinct from Django’s, Babik absorbed influences that extended past acoustic jazz guitar to encompass electric stylists such as Wes Montgomery and Jimmy Raney. Mackenzie remarked that Babik prudently developed an electric guitar style that was sufficiently personal and far-removed from that of his father to allow him his own identity and to avoid unwanted comparisons. In the 1960s he cut his debut album, Swing 67, alongside the Arvanitis Trio, although Fred Sharp later judged that Reinhardt’s command had not yet reached full maturity. Over time he gravitated toward jazz fusion, at times performing with nothing more than his Gibson ES-175 and a bass accompanist. He also collaborated with fellow fusion musicians Larry Coryell and Didier Lockwood.
Babik Reinhardt proved a composer in his own right, much like his father. Sharp noted that he composed many pieces and his ballads have all the warmth and expression of his father’s compositions. On November 13, 2001, Babik Reinhardt suffered a fatal heart attack in Cannes on the French Riviera; he was 57. Sharp reflected that the music and legend of Django Reinhardt has lived on for over 65 years. Babik has surely inherited all the musicality of his father, while not trying to copy him.
Albums
