Gino Bordin

Reve D'hawai Gino Bordin

In France, the advent of the Hawaiian guitar in French music owes it's popularity to Gino Bordin, the Italian born Parisian wizard of the Hawaiian guitar. He was the leading steel guitarist in Paris and great friends with the famous luthier Mario Maccaferri, whom he had met in Italy. In 1932, Mario Maccaferri produced for the Selmer musical instrument company his jazz guitar with resonator chamber which Django Reinhardt made famous, and at the same time designed a 7 string Hawaiian model without cutaway, an idea conceived with his friend Gino. When the record companies realized the sudden taste for Hawaiian guitar, and the need to add a repertoire more to suit French public taste, they turned naturally to Gino Bordin, already a virtuoso on the instrument. In the 1930s Gino was a major star of radio stations in Paris, with his own show - and his "guitare hawaienne" recordings were played on stations across France and other countries in Europe. Presented here is a collection of some of the Hawaiian guitar master's best work. All selections newly remastered.