*****Do you have a factual source to backup that claim?*****
Not a claim, it's a fact. Google, "Lt. Jimmy Reese Europe". Surprised a Jazz lover has not heard of him.
*****Even if true when Django arrived here and started playing, his fellow jazz musicians including Satchmo and the Duke were in awe!*****
Do you seriously think Pops and The Duke were "in awe" of this guy?
They were just being nice and charitable, as they always were in public.
Cheers