b. 20 March 1950, Kortrijk, Belgium. Born into the Manouche gypsy community, Lafertin took an interest in music from a very early age. He played several instruments before choosing the guitar as his principal means of expression. Not surprisingly given their shared background, the music of another Manouche gypsy, Django Reinhardt, beckoned. Nevertheless, Lafertin played other forms before plunging into the Quintet Du Hot Club Du France repertoire, which he did when he joined the orchestra of violinist Piotto Lindberger. In the 70s and early 80s an offshoot of this band was formed and named WASO. In this band with Lafertin and Lindberger were Viri Lindberger (guitar) and Michel Verstvaeten (bass). Lafertin’s spell with WASO spread his name and reputation spread worldwide. He left WASO and in 1985 formed his own quintet in the Netherlands, which he modelled upon QHCF. In this group have been featured various Dutch instrumentalists, among them violinist Rudi Brink (violin), and Joop Hendricks and Tim Kliphuis aka Tim Kliphouse (saxophone). Lafertin also followed a solo career, during which he played in various European countries including the UK. Among many American jazzmen with whom Lafertin has worked are Charlie Byrd, Scott Hamilton, Al Casey, Milt Hinton and Benny Waters. During a visit to Scotland he also teamed up briefly in Glasgow with Stéphane Grappelli, Reinhardt’s partner more than half a century earlier in the original QHCF. In the early 00s, Lafertin continued touring and recording and in addition to orthodox instruments also began featuring the 12-string guitarra in performances of traditional Portuguese fado and Brazilian samba. This kind of music is set amid compositions by Reinhardt and Grappelli, as well as the music of Duke Ellington and the composers of the Great American Song Book. Technically, Lafertin is extraordinarily accomplished; this, allied as it is to a deep appreciation of the melodic content of his repertoire makes his playing exhilaratingly attractive. His decision to pursue Reinhardt’s style has not mired him in the past and he has brought to the music contemporary sensibilities. Bob Wilber, who appears with Lafertin on 1996’s Hungaria, has no doubts about Lafertin’s status, commenting that the guitarist is: ‘The legitimate heir to Django’s crown.’