Django left his first wife after the accident and started dating his cousin Sophie, known as Naguine, who was to become his life-long partner. In the summers, along with his brother Nin-Nin, they would travel south, often on foot, in search of work playing in the bars and restaurants of the Côte d’Azur. At Toulon they met Emile Savitry, a well-travelled bohemian artist and jazz fan. It was Savitry who first introduced Django to the recordings of Duke Ellington, Joe Venuti, and most importantly, Louis Armstrong. The effect on Reinhardt was both emotionally and musically profound. (ChD p.46 /MD p. 52)

The shift from his old musette style to jazz can be heard in his next recordings with L’Orchestre du Theatre Daunou, which feature heartthrob vocalist Jean Sablon. On Le Meme Coup [CL 4527-1] Reinhardt is given a few bars in which to show his ability as a soloist, and produces a wonderfully looping flow of staccato and blue notes.