Remembering the great Django Reinhardt who was born on this day in 1910. Reinhardt is considered to be one of the few Europeans of his day to make a serious impact on jazz. For most of his career Reinhardt played in the swing style that reached its peak of popularity in the 1930s. Perhaps his most lasting influence on jazz was the introduction of solos based on melodic improvisation, at a time when guitarists generally played chorded solos. His inimitable improvisations, particularly those in slow tempos, were often a curious but beguiling blend of Roma and jazz sounds. Here, Reinhardt and his band are performing in a train car. Taken from a 1953 French-Italian comedy called “La Route du Bonheur”, this clip is one of the few known footages of Django.

Remembering the great Cannonball Adderley who was born on this day in 1928. Best-known for his work on alto saxophone, Adderley was an extremely gifted musician technically, known for an improvisational style that featured restless, highly decorated, often florid lines; emphatic blues harmonies; and a full, rich tone. As jazz became more atonally obtuse and rhythmically complex during the 1960s, Adderley’s straightforward approach helped keep jazz popular with mainstream audiences. He appeared on the landmark albums like Kind of Blue and Milestones” and had a massive hit with “Mercy Mercy Mercy,” climbing to No.11 on the Billboard Hot 100 in 1967. Here, he is performing “Work Song” with Nat Adderley on cornet, Joe Zawinul on piano, Sam Jones on bass and Louis Hayes on drums live on Jazz Scene in 1962.

Remembering the great Cat Anderson who was born on this day in 1916. Anderson was known for his for his wide range, especially his ability to play in the altissimo register. He was able to perform his high-note solos without a microphone, while other members of a big band were usually amplified for their solos. He played with Duke Ellington's band from 1944 to 1971 and in addition to his work on trumpet, Anderson was a very skilled arranger and composer. He performed his own compositions "El Gato" and "Bluejean Beguine" with Ellington, and others of his compositions and arrangements with his own band, for example on his 1959 record album for Mercury, Cat on a Hot Tin Horn. Here, he is performing “El Gato” with the Duke Ellington orchestra live in Norway, 1969.