He was one of the great guitarists of the 20th century, creating his own unique style and elevating gypsy swing music to the popular consciousness and next week Django Reinhardt would have been 100.

To celebrate the occasion, Le QuecumBar is holding a nine-day long International Gypsy Swing Guitar Festival, the first of its kind in the country, that will pay tribute to the great man with a host of Europe's top gypsy swing artists performing the music he created.

The line-up, some of which will be playing in the UK for the very first time, opens with Django's grandson David Reinhardt, a well-known jazz artist in his own right, who will be playing alongside the talents of Adrien Moignard and Sebastien Giniaux on Sunday.

After appearances by people like Fleur De Paris and blind Belgian gypsy Tcha Limberger, Le QueCumbar patron Lollo Meier will be closing festivities on January 25 when he plays with his cousin Stochelo Rosenberg and fellow patron Ritary Gaguenetti for the first time.

"Django created his own style," says Meier.

"People who don't know that kind of music and get to listen to it for the first time with Django start to like it, even children today who wouldn't usually listen to it do because they hear Django.

"I grew up with that kind of music, it was always on in the house when I was a child and I didn't know anything else but Django Reinhardt.

"It's real jazz and it is played from the heart."

Meier also heaped praise on Le Quecumbar's Sylvia Rushbrooke for setting up the event.

"It's amazing that one person is promoting the gypsy music so much," he said.

"It is the only bar in England that does that and it may even be the only one in the world where they promote gypsy music so good.

"We feel like we are at home there and all the musicians are jamming together."

Meier is one of the artists who will also be giving masterclasses for people interested in playing either gypsy swing guitar, Balkan gypsy violin or gypsy swing double bass.

Le QuecumBar International Gypsy Swing Guitar Festival, Battersea High Street, January 17 to 25, various times, £15 to £35. Call 020 7787 2227 or visit quecumbar.co.uk