Song:Makin' Whoopee
Album:Jazz 'Round Midnight
Stephane Grappelli is one of the all time greats of the jazz violin. He became famous for his work with guitarist Django Rheinhardt but Grappelli's music is simply delightful. He was born Jan. 26, 1908 in Paris. He started playing violin in the streets of Paris at age 12 and studied at the Conservatoire de Paris from 1924-28. He met Rheinhardt in 1933 and they formed the Quintet of the Hot Club of France. They were in London when WWII broke out in 1939. Rheinhardt returned to France but Grappelli stayed in London and formed a group with pianist George Shearing. Grappelli and Rheinhardt reunited after the war but Grappelli continued to work on his own music. Grappelli was unknown in North America until the 70s when he started appearing on the Violin Summit tours with guys like Stuff Smith and Jean-Luc Ponty. He toured and recorded with all kinds of musicians. And he appeared in the 1978 film King Of The Gypsies with mandolin player David Grisman. This 1992 Verve comp is probably a reasonable introduction to Grappelli's music. It has a wide range of music from the 30s to the 70s. Makin' Whoopee is from a 1976 album Grappelli recorded with George Shearing called The Reunion. Stephane Grappelli continued to tour and record until his death on Dec. 1, 1997 at age 89. Here's Stephane Grappelli performing Makin Whoopee on Jazz At Studio 4 Dec. 1961.
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