Jazz guitarist Django Reinhardt died in 1953.
Reinhardt died on May 16, 1953, in Fontainebleau, France, at the age of 43. He had been one of the central figures in European jazz and was internationally known for his work with the Quintette du Hot Club de France.
A fire in 1928 severely injured his left hand, permanently affecting two fingers. Rather than abandon guitar, Reinhardt adapted his technique and developed a distinctive approach that became a landmark of gypsy jazz, also called jazz manouche.
His career included collaborations with violinist Stéphane Grappelli, recordings in France and the United States, and sessions with American musicians including Duke Ellington. Reinhardt’s influence continued long after his death, especially among acoustic jazz guitarists.