Stephane Grappelli (January 26, 1908 - December 1, 1997) was a pioneer jazz violinist who founded the quintet of the "Quintette du Hot Club de France" with Django Reinhardt. It was the first all-string jazz band.

He was born in Paris, France to Italian parents and started his musical career as a silent film pianist.

After his career with Reinhardt, he appeared on hundreds of recordings including sessions with jazz pianist Oscar Peterson, jazz violinist Jean-Luc Ponty, pop singer Paul Simon, mandolin player David Grisman, and classical violinist Yehudi Menuhin.

Quotation

• "Stephane is like one of those jugglers who send 10 plates into the air and recovers them all." Yehudi Menuhin, on Grappelli's skilled improvisation.

Miscellany

• Stephane Grappelli died in 1997 and was interred in Paris' famous Père Lachaise Cemetery.

• Definitive DVD profile and 150,000 word biography is available at www.musiconearth.co.uk

External Link

• Obituary