85 & Still Swinging...Stephane Grappelli Live at Carnegie Hall: The 85th Birthday Con

by Ken DrydenAt the age of 85 Stephane Grappelli was still a master of the violin, as proven during this 1993 concert at Carnegie Hall in honor of his landmark birthday (which he had celebrated the previous January 26th). With bassist Jon Burr and guitarist Bucky Pizzarelli, Grappelli revisits a number of old favorites, including a lively take of "All God's Chillun Got Rhythm," an easygoing "Honeysuckle Rose," and a gently swinging "Limehouse Blues." There are no surprises, just great music from the master. Several tracks feature the Rosenberg Trio (in their American recording debut), a fine Gypsy trio (2 guitars and a bass) that Grappelli first heard at the 1991 Montreal Jazz Festival and invited to join him on stage. All six men take part in the enjoyable finale of "Sweet Georgia Brown."