Django Reinhardt, original jazz illustration by Alejandro Milà

Ten years ago, I was selling original illustrations at art fairs, and my Costa Rican friend, Ana Acevedo, bought this tribute to one of the greatest guitarists and composers in music history.

The jazz of Django Reinhardt, Stéphane Grappelli, and their band has been with us since we were kids—those jazz standards echo everywhere, from smoky clubs to a random café in Japan. Like many in my generation, I first heard of Django through Woody Allen’s brilliant Sweet and Lowdown, where a down-and-out guitarist idolizes him, knowing he’ll never match his genius.

Months later, an awesome Brazilian tattoo artist, Ricardo Braga Tattoo, told me a Django fan loved the illustration and wanted it inked. What an honor!

So, here’s the story of a little illustration that’s probably hanging in Ana’s home (she’s now in Barcelona, I’m in Costa Rica) and living on the skin of a swing lover in Brazil.

Thanks so much!

✨🎵✨

Django Reinhardt, original jazz illustration by Alejandro Milà