Led by the legendary guitarist Django Reinhardt, the Quintette du Hot Club de France were the foremost exponents of what was called at the time “Gypsy jazz” — a distinctive genre of small-ensemble swing generally played by multiple guitars, bass, and violin. One or two guitars would focus on providing a driving, swinging rhythm while Reinhardt and violinist Stéphane Grappelli would take turns soloing. This was undoubtedly music rooted in pre-bop “hot” jazz, but it also sounded very different from the jazz sounds emanating from America at that time; the Romany influence in the melodies, the undeniably European classical fluidity of Grappelli’s playing, and Reinhardt’s own highly personal guitar style combined in thrillingly unique ways even when they were playing familiar American swing standards.