Mudlark, I would see if you can borrow mickey baker. It is really the chords that you need(PG1) or a good jazz chord guide. As for speed, as long as you can ply the melody and chords it is erelevant. There are tricks for playing that speed. Benbow pulls that one occasionally just to make sure I ain't asleep!! As for being able to play close to django: Listen to the sound track to "sweet and lowdown." Nothing like as rough as django.
The rhythm: Think of a hi - hat on the drum. BOOM- chacka-BOOM - chacka - BOOM - chacka. THat's all there is to it. eventually it will syncopate itself.