Swing 39 is a landmark gypsy jazz tune by Django Reinhardt and Stéphane Grappelli, recorded in March 1939 with the Quintette du Hot Club de France in Paris. The composition, co-written by Reinhardt and Grappelli, became one of the signature pieces of their collaboration and showcases their elegant, interactive solos. The tune is part of the 2000 remastered compilation Swing 39, released in France by Gitanes Jazz Productions and in the US by Verve, and it sits firmly in the jazz genre with Gypsy Jazz and Swing as its style. This recording is among the last Paris sessions before World War II reshaped the group, highlighting the rare chemistry between Reinhardt on lead guitar and Grappelli on violin. The album features multiple tracks and takes that tease out different moods, including Jeepers Creepers, Tea For Two, Japanese Sandman, and My Melancholy Baby, illustrating the playful yet virtuosic energy of the era. Swing 39 remains a touchstone of gypsy jazz and a vivid reminder of the duo’s enduring legacy.
