Stephane Grappelli

Born: January 26, 1908

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

Czarakcziew and the Jazz Cats: A Tribute to Fred Katz

by Pawel Czarakcziew
May 20, 2025

I've always thought that musicians (if they are sincere), draw from the same source. No matter what genre (classical, jazz, rock) they are in, it's the same well. In my book The Seekers--Meetings with Remarkable Musicians, I write a chapter on Fred Katz, my old college professor and more importantly, the cello player in the Chico ...

Mads Tolling: Jazz Collaborations and Classics Reimagined

by Steven Roby
January 11, 2025

When two-time Grammy-winning violinist Mads Tolling picks up his bow, magic happens. From reinterpreting classics like The Beatles' “Blackbird" to crafting soul-stirring arrangements of “What a Wonderful World" with the iconic Kenny Washington, Mads continues to redefine the boundaries of jazz and classical fusion. In the latest episode of Backstage Bay Area, Tolling delves ...

Quintet of the Hot Club of France

Active since: 1934

The Quintet of the Hot Club of France, founded in 1934 in Paris, was a pioneering jazz ensemble that blended traditional American jazz with the rhythms and melodies of French music. Led by guitarist Jean "Django" Reinhardt and violinist Stéphane Grappelli, the group is best known for creating a unique style known as "Gypsy jazz" or "Jazz Manouche." The band gained fame for its virtuosic performances and intricate improvisation, making a significant impact on both European and American jazz scenes. Despite facing adversity during World War II, the Quintet's influence on jazz remained lasting, as they introduced new possibilities for string instruments and helped popularize European jazz globally.

Louis Stewart & Martin Taylor: Acoustic Guitar Duets

by Ian Patterson
December 3, 2024

Jazz is littered with examples of starry duos aligning in one-off recording projects that do not quite match expectations. Often the lack of real spark comes down to too much deference being shown. When such duos do come off, however, say as with the collaborations between Bill Evans and Jim Hall, to cite one outstanding example, ...

Hot Club of San Francisco

Active since: 1988

Paul "Pazzo" Mehling

Leader, Guitar, Violin, Bass, Vocals

Paul Mehling, the leader of HCSF, has been dubbed the godfather of American Gypsy jazz. He discovered the music of Django Reinhardt and the Quintet of the Hot Club of France in grammar school, and decades later the music that took root in his young soul finally bore fruit.

“I was born in Denver and grew up in what is now Silicon Valley when it was all fruit trees,” Mehling recalls. “My father was a record collector. I grew up with the music of Benny Goodman, Tommy Dorsey, Glenn Miller and all the swing era bands.

String Players: Sonny Sharrock to Charles Mingus

by Jerome Wilson
November 6, 2024

This show. from September 15, 2020, focuses on string players, mostly guitarists but bassists, cellists and a harp player are also thrown into the mix. Specific musicians heard include Sonny Sharrock. Lonnie Johnson. Tomeka Reid, Charles Mingus, and Brandee Younger. Playlist Henry Threadgill Sextett “I Can't Wait Till I Get Home" from The Complete ...

Aline's Etoile Magique: ��clipse

by Neri Pollastri
July 5, 2024

Violinista di formazione classica e dagli attenti studi musicali (il padre �� un musicologo), da sempre affascinata dal jazz, la canadese Aline Homzy presenta quest'assai singolare opera prima, dal gusto sicuramente cameristico e tuttavia venata non solo di jazz, bens�� anche di colori etnici, sperimentazioni sonore, fantasia melodica, che concorrono alla creazione di atmosfere “astrali," coerentemente ...

Cyrille Aim��e: Music Flows From Within

by Scott Lichtman
April 9, 2024

Renowned vocalist Cyrille Aimée possesses a wholly unique sound. Certainly, it is based on her voice timbre but also reflects her approach to music. She is equally adept at jazz standards and pop-jazz. She can swing and scat on cue, then shift to high tech sound loops. Songs in English, French and Spanish are delivered with ...

Benoit Viellefon & his Hot Club

Find all the information about the "Benoit Viellefon Hot Club" on Benoit Viellefon's musician page:

/musicians/benoit-viellefon