Stephanova

by Ken DrydenStéphane Grappelli's career was going strong at the time of this 1983 session, a rare opportunity to hear the swing violinist with acoustic guitarist Marc Fosset as his sole accompanist. The selections are wide-ranging, including familiar standards long part of the violinist's repertoire along with an elegant arrangement of Edvard Grieg's Norwegian Dance and a lively run through Miles Davis' "Tune Up." The duo is at its most lyrical playing "My Foolish Heart," while the spirit of Grappelli's work lives on in "Tangerine." The leader's virtuoso introduction to "Lover" gives him a chance to show off his chops a bit, while his one original of the date is the simple yet warm "Walt for Queenie." Fosset is the perfect partner throughout, having toured regularly with Grappelli prior to making this recording; the guitarist contributed the easygoing "Fulton Street Samba" and the equally engaging bossa nova "Stephanova." One of just a handful of duo sessions recorded by Grappelli during his long career, this CD is well worth tracking down, though it has unfortunately been deleted from the Concord catalog.