STAN FREBERG HERE...Stephane Grapelli: The First Hot Jazz Fiddle Player
Stan Freberg here. The world of jazz has lost its first hot fiddle player, Stephane Grapelli, the jazz violinist of the Quintet of the Hot Club of France. We'll hear a little, after this. [:60 SPOT BREAK]
Freberg again. Years ago, on the road as a young guitar player and comedian, a couple of fellow band members took me to a record store and put on an album that stunned me. It was called "The Quintet of the Hot Club of France." I'll never forget it. It featured gypsy guitarist Django Reinhardt, who had only three fingers on one hand, but to hear him, you'd never know it. He was accompanied by the incredible jazz violinist, Stephane Grapelli.
(Music under)
It was a match made in heaven. Grapelli went on to record with George Shearing and Oscar Peterson, among others. He eventually played Carnegie Hall with the cellist, Yo Yo Ma.
Stephane Grapelli was 89. The New York Times said his solos, to the end, had life.
Stan Freberg here.
(Music up and out)
Copyright (C)1997, Stan Freberg/Freberg, Ltd. (but not very) Distributed by Dick Brescia Associates and Radio Spirits, Inc.