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Stephane Grappelli

Stephane Grappelli (originally surname was spelled with a 'Y') would have earned himself a place in Jazz History books if only for his important role in the Quintette of the Hot Club of France, featuring the dazzling virtuosity of Django Reindhart. Grappelli's violin was the perfect foil to Reindhart's guitar in this piano-less group.

Fired by Reindhart's tremendous rhythmic powers, Grappelli's contributions to recordings by the Quintette like Lime House Blues, China Boy and It Don't Mean A Thing (all 1935) and Them There Eyes, Three little Words and Swing '39 (these latter three tracks from 1938-39) were admirable in their execution.

Occasionally Grappelli would play piano, as when harmonica virtuoso Larry Adler recorded with the group in 1939, the year when Reindhart and Grappelli, violin, recorded (with delightful results) as a duo (all Django Reindhart).

Grappelli born (1908) and raised in Paris was involved with music at a very early age. By 12 years, he had acquired his first violin- just one of several instruments he learned to play. He began professionally with theatre bands, eventually being introduced to jazz music. A French jazz musician, Philippe Brun, introduced Grappelli to Reindhart. Soon after that meeting they put the idea of Quintette into practice.

When World War II commenced, Grappelli and the band were touring Britain. While the others returned to Paris Grappelli decided to stay. During the next six years he became a popular figure in London with habitues of nightlife in general and in musical entertainment in particular, working with local musicians in the local clubs. In 1946, he returned to Paris, renewed association with Reindhart, but he magic of pre-war days did not re-appear too often. Between 1948-55 worked in Club Saint Germain, Paris, and in the latter year played nine-month residency in St. Tropez.

During the '70s Grappelli has played throughout Europe, in Clubs, concerts and festivals, has and broadcast televised extensively, and has been a regular visitor to the recording studio.

In 1966, Grappelli was recorded in concert in Switzerland, together with fellow jazz violinist Jean-Luc Ponty, Stuff Smith and Svend Asmussen (Violin Summit). Since then he has recorded frequently in London. A live date at the Queen Elizabeth Hall (Stephane Grappelli 1972) finds him responding to an enthusiastic audience. Elsewhere he has recorded with much success, with Americans Gary Burton (Paris Encounter), Bill Coleman (Stephane Grappelli-Bill Coleman), Roland Hanna, (Stephane Grappelli Meets he Rhythm Section) and Barney Kessel (I Remember Django).

Stephane Grappelli: Grappelli plays Grappelli

Read "Grappelli plays Grappelli" reviewed by C. Michael Bailey

by C. Michael Bailey
July 25, 2003

Grappelli plays Grappelli sports exactly what the name implies, the late violinist Stephane Grappelli performing his own compositions. But it is a bit more orderly than that. Contained on this single disc are two recording sessions, illuminating two themes. Recorded in 1980 but never released, the Horoscope Sessions highlight twelve winsome pieces based on the standard horoscope, composed by Grappelli and Perez Pilar. The second session, Emotions, was recorded seven years earlier and consists of six nervous pieces based on ...

150

Album Review

Stephane Grappelli, Joe Pass: Tivoli Gardens

Read "Tivoli Gardens" reviewed by AAJ Staff

by AAJ Staff
May 10, 2002

In 1979 an exciting performance was captured of a trio of masters, Stephane Grappelli on violin, Joe Pass on Guitar and Niels Henning Orsted Pedersen on bass (also known by the abbreviation NHOP). This trans-generational, all string ensemble swings with a power that is unmatched by many a bigger and more varied band. These expert musicians play with such feeling and precision that they get a big, big sound is despite the smallness of the group.

The repertoire consists of ...

326

Album Review

Stephane Grappelli: Stephane's Tune / Vintage Grappelli

Read "Stephane's Tune / Vintage Grappelli" reviewed by C. Michael Bailey

by C. Michael Bailey
November 1, 2001

Stephane Grappelli— then and ... then.

These two collections serve as very nice bookends to a jazz violin career that spanned almost 70 years. Stephane Grappelli was born in Paris in 1908. Largely self-taught on the violin and piano, Grappelli studied briefly at the Paris Conservatoire before meeting the gypsy guitarist Django Reinhardt— Charlie Parker to his Dizzy Gillespie. From 1933 through 1939, Grappelli and Reinhardt, as member of the Quintet of the Hot Club of France, recorded some of ...

175

Album Review

Stephane Grappelli: Live

by Larry Koenigsberg
December 1, 1998

no one; Night and day; Makin' Whoopee; I get a kick out of you; Someone to watch over me; Blue moon; Crazy rhythm; The very thought of you; Fascinating rhythm; Limehouse blues; Honeysuckle rose; In a sentimental mood; Them there eyes; Nuages; Daphne; Do you know what it means to miss New Orleans; Sweet Georgia Brown; Lady be good

The late Stephane Grappelli was not unique among jazz performances in the length of his career (see also Benny Waters), his ...

Birthday

Jazz Musician of the Day: Stephane Grappelli

Source: Michael Ricci
January 26, 2023

All About Jazz is celebrating Stephane Grappelli's birthday today!

Birthday

Jazz Musician of the Day: Stephane Grappelli

Source: Michael Ricci
January 26, 2022

All About Jazz is celebrating Stephane Grappelli's birthday today!

Birthday

Jazz Musician of the Day: Stephane Grappelli

Source: Michael Ricci
January 26, 2021

All About Jazz is celebrating Stephane Grappelli's birthday today!

TV / Film

Jazz Doc: Stéphane Grappelli

Source: JazzWax by Marc Myers
September 10, 2020

European jazz starts with Stéphane Grappelli and the Hot Club of France Quintet. The violinist along with guitarist Django Reinhardt added Louis Vola on bass and Joseph Reinhardt and Roger Chaput on guitar. The group ended its run in 1939 with the onset of World War II. Grappelli was in London when war broke out and remained there for the duration. Reinhardt was in Paris. They would reunite after the war. Grappelli is the father of the jazz violin and ...
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Birthday

Jazz Musician of the Day: Stephane Grappelli

Source: Michael Ricci
January 26, 2020

All About Jazz is celebrating Stephane Grappelli's birthday today!

Birthday

Jazz Musician of the Day: Stephane Grappelli

Source: Michael Ricci
January 26, 2019

All About Jazz is celebrating Stephane Grappelli's birthday today!

Stephane Grappelli (originally surname was spelled with a \'Y\') would have earned himself a place in Jazz History books if only for his important role in the Quintette of the Hot Club of France, featuring the dazzling virtuosity of Django Reindhart. Grappelli\'s violin was the perfect foil to Reindhart\'s guitar in this piano-less group. Fired by Reindhart\'s tremendous rhythmic powers... Read more.

Place our Musician of the Day widget on your ...
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Birthday

Jazz Musician of the Day: Stephane Grappelli

Source: Michael Ricci
January 26, 2018

All About Jazz is celebrating Stephane Grappelli's birthday today!

Place our Musician of the Day widget on your ...
read more

Birthday

Jazz Musician of the Day: Stephane Grappelli

Source: Michael Ricci
January 26, 2017

All About Jazz is celebrating Stephane Grappelli's birthday today!

Place our Musician of the Day widget on your ...
read more

Birthday

Jazz Musician of the Day: Stephane Grappelli

Source: Michael Ricci
January 26, 2016

All About Jazz is celebrating Stephane Grappelli's birthday today!

Place our Musician of the Day widget on your ...
read more

Birthday

Jazz Musician of the Day: Stephane Grappelli

Source: Michael Ricci
January 26, 2015

All About Jazz is celebrating Stephane Grappelli's birthday today! Stephane Grappelli (originally surname was spelled with a \'Y\') would have earned himself a place in Jazz History books if only for his important role in the Quintette of the Hot Club of France, featuring the dazzling virtuosity of Django Reindhart. Grappelli\'s violin was the perfect foil to Reindhart\'s guitar in this piano-less group. Fired by Reindhart\'s tremendous rhythmic powers... Read more. Place our Musician of the Day widget on your ...
read more