"The Sheik of Araby" is a jazz standard composed in 1921 by Ted Snyder, with lyrics by Harry B. Smith and Francis Wheeler, inspired by the popular film The Sheik starring Rudolph Valentino. The song quickly became a hit in the jazz world and has been covered by many artists, including Django Reinhardt, who recorded his version in 1935. Reinhardt’s interpretation of this lively tune is infused with his unique gypsy jazz style, featuring his virtuoso guitar playing and improvisation, which adds a distinctive flair to the song and cements its place in the jazz canon.