Style:

Gypsy Jazz

Form:

A-A-B-A (28 Bars) [8-8-4-8]

Key:

G Major

Harmony/Overview:

The  harmony of this composition is very functional, and the melody is very repetitive throughout. Despite lead sheets often including varying sets of changes in the A sections, the harmonic structure remains fairly  consistent along with the descending root movement. The first chord is usually C#mi7b5 (#IVmi7b5), although some charts will include A7/C# (II7  with the 3rd in the bass). Both chords are interchangeable as they are  essentially one in the same. It is then followed by IVmi, and either Cmi6 or Cdim7 are viable options. It is then followed by G/B before  bIIIdim7 leads to the final II - V back to the tonic. The bridge is only  4 bars long and moves from bII - II.

Recordings:

This  song has been recorded over 35 times to date and is one of the most popular Django Reinhardt and Stéphane Grappelli compositions in gypsy jazz circles. Stéphane Grappelli and His Hot Four first recorded the  tune in 1935. Django would later record the tune with his American Swing Band in 1945, and Grappelli would also record it on multiple occasions  throughout his career.

JGC Top Picks:

Stéphane Grappelli and His Hot Four, 1935

Philip Catherine, Young Django, 1979

Biréli Lagrène, Gipsy Project & Friends, 2002