Rare signed bi-fold program from the storied concluding "Super Gala" concert which closed the 1948 Festival International du Jazz in Nice. Signed in ink to the left inside by Django Reinhardt, Stephane Grapelli, Louis Armstrong, Milt "Mezz" Mezzrow, Claude Luter (with two unidentified members apparently from his New Orleans Orchestra), and on the righthand inside by Yves Montand. Front cover illustration by Jean Luc and verso by Conti. A little light foxing, else fine. 7.25 x 9 inches; 8.2 x 22.8 cm.

TOGETHER WITH: the deluxe Festival International du Jazz (Nice, 22 - 28 February, 1948) program, 10 pp, 9.5 x 12 inches; La Vedette-Surprise du 1er Festival International du Jazz program (Nice. February 27-28, [1948]) , 4 pp, including multi-photo insert and program of Django Reinhardt and Stéphane Grapelli; Dinner and Drinks menus, each 2 pp, for the Nuit de Nice at the Hotel Negresco, 28 February, 1948. All with scattered foxing, light creasing, else fine.

Lauded as the ‘first jazz festival of international significance,’ this 1948 inaugural event would earn the title of the ‘flashiest and most prestigious jazz festival in Europe.’ Now an annual event, the Nice Jazz Festival continues to draw the who's-who of the jazz world. "Not wanting to be outdone by the beboppers, Panassié's Festival de Jazz de Nice premiered with a lineup that included Louis Armstrong and His All-Stars featuring Earl Hines, Jack Teagarden, and Barney Bigard; Rex Stewart and band; and of course Panassié's old friend Mezzrow." (Michael Dregni: Django: The Life and Music of a Gypsy Legend, p. 243)

"A tape exists from a broadcast from Hotel Negresco where Louis and The All Stars performed in an all-European broadcast marathon ending the first Nice Jazz Festival. They followed a band led by Mezz Mezzrow...Louis probably had played earlier in that night's program since on the tape the French announcer introduces him with the words: 'Et pour terminer cette transmission de la nuit de Nice, voici de nouveau le roi du jazz, Louis Armstrong'. (And now, to end this broadcast, once again the king of jazz...)...All known releases from the broadcast are edited in one way or another." (Jos Willams, "All of Me: The Complete Discography of Louis Armstrong," p. 179)

Of particular rarity is the signature here of French jazz guitarist and composer Django Reinhardt who was one of the most influential guitarists of his time. He was the creator of the “hot” jazz style of guitar playing, created after two of his fingers on his playing hand were paralyzed from a fire. He died in 1951 at the age of 43 from a brain hemorrhage and autograph materials of any kind are uncommon.