Jazz guitarist, born in Liverchies, Belgium. He was born in the family caravan in a Rom (gypsy) community, and taught himself the guitar. At 18, injury in a fire caused the fusing of the fourth and fifth fingers of his left hand, but he simply devised a new chording method for his guitar, and continued to play. He played in the Quintet of the Hot Club of France with Stephane Grappelli (1934--9), producing many renowned recordings, and became the first European jazz musician to influence the music.