May 16, 2025 - Good Morning! It’s Friday, May 16.
Are you a jazz fan? I am. I especially like swing jazz, music that was hugely popular in the first half of the 20th century, and featured such legends as Duke Ellington, Glenn Miller, Billie Holiday, and Benny Goodman. Less well known, but no less legendary, is Django Reinhardt, who died on May 16, 1952. He was, in my opinion, the greatest jazz guitarist of all time . . . and he played with just two fingers!
Reinhardt, at the age of 18, and just beginning his musical career, was badly burned in a fire. Two of the fingers on his left hand were left unusable, and during his recovery, he had to completely relearn the guitar. You can find lots of examples of Django’s music online. His nimble phrasing and lightning fast runs are amazing, especially once you realize . . . he was playing with half a hand.
I have a friend in Linden, Texas, who is one of the finest fiddlers I’ve ever had the pleasure of playing alongside. He was also injured in an accident as a young man, and lost two fingers on his left hand (and that’s not the hand that holds the bow). A few years back, I attended a homecoming service at the church where I grew up in Houston. The pianist in the praise band really impressed me, and at the close of the service I approached the stage to shake his hand. I was taken aback to see that both of his hands were twisted and misshapen from arthritis.
These courageous musicians are examples of the old adage - “Where there’s a will, there’s a way.” They never focused on their limitations, but, through their perseverance and passion, managed to transcend them. My dad, who grew up during the Great Depression, was the only one of his sixteen siblings to go to college. It is no surprise that one of his favorite scripture verses was Philippians 4:13 - “I can do all things through Christ who gives me strength.”
Meet you back here on Monday,
David
cindertex50@yahoo.com
