Improvisations - Jazz In Paris

Improvisations - Jazz In Paris

Improvisations - Jazz In Paris

ASIN: B00004XT2L

Editorial Reviews
Amazon.com
The mid-1950s were rough for Stephane Grappelli. He had recently returned to Paris after living in London for seven years to find that his brand of elegant swing was considered old-fashioned by the young Parisian bop fans. And his long-time collaborator Django Reinhardt had died in 1953, ending one of the most fruitful partnerships in jazz history. So when he went into the studio in 1956, he was faced with a dual challenge. He had to prove he wasn't just a relic of the past and that he could hold his own without the backing of Django's guitar. On Improvisations he passes both tests with grace and charm. Grappelli wisely avoids using a guitarist, which would only sound like a weak rehash of the past, opting instead for the classic jazz trio of piano, bass, and drums. When Grappelli was with the Quintet of the Hot Club of France they rarely played ballads. But on tracks such as "Someone to Watch over Me," and "A Nightingale Sang in Berkeley Square" he has the chance to explore nuances of phrasing and tone color in a way that wasn't possible at the quick tempos Django favored. Improvisations is a delightful collection of jazz standards played by a master musician in the process of discovering for himself how good he really is. --Michael Simmons

Improvisations - Jazz In Paris,Stephane Grappelli,Universal,Continental Jazz,Jazz,Jazz Music,Pop,Swing
Improvisations - Jazz In Paris
Average customer rating: 4 out of 5 stars
  • Improvisations
Improvisations - Jazz In Paris
Stephane Grappelli
Manufacturer: Umvd Labels
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

GeneralGeneral | Jazz | Styles | Music
Swing GeneralSwing General | Swing Jazz | Jazz | Styles | Music
European JazzEuropean Jazz | Jazz | Styles | Music
Similar Items:
  1. Jazz in Paris: Oscar Peterson-Stephanie Grapelli Quartet, Vol. 1
  2. Afternoon in Paris
  3. Quintette du Hot Club de France: 25 Classics 1934-1940
  4. The Very Best of Grappelli and Menuhin
  5. Satin Doll

ASIN: B00004XT2L
Release Date: 2001-04-24

Tracks:

  1. The Lady Is A Tramp
  2. Fascinatin' Rhythm
  3. Dans La Vie
  4. Cheek To Cheek
  5. A Nightingale Song In Berkeley Square
  6. Taking A Chance On Love
  7. 'S Wonderful
  8. Someone To Watch Over Me
  9. If I Had You
  10. Body And Soul
  11. I Want To Be Happy
  12. She's Funny That Way
  13. Time After Time
  14. Just One Of Those Things
  15. Slow En Re Majeur (I'll Be Around)
  16. Taking A Chance On Love
  17. Someone To Watch Over Me

Amazon.com

The mid-1950s were rough for Stephane Grappelli. He had recently returned to Paris after living in London for seven years to find that his brand of elegant swing was considered old-fashioned by the young Parisian bop fans. And his long-time collaborator Django Reinhardt had died in 1953, ending one of the most fruitful partnerships in jazz history. So when he went into the studio in 1956, he was faced with a dual challenge. He had to prove he wasn't just a relic of the past and that he could hold his own without the backing of Django's guitar. On Improvisations he passes both tests with grace and charm. Grappelli wisely avoids using a guitarist, which would only sound like a weak rehash of the past, opting instead for the classic jazz trio of piano, bass, and drums. When Grappelli was with the Quintet of the Hot Club of France they rarely played ballads. But on tracks such as "Someone to Watch over Me," and "A Nightingale Sang in Berkeley Square" he has the chance to explore nuances of phrasing and tone color in a way that wasn't possible at the quick tempos Django favored. Improvisations is a delightful collection of jazz standards played by a master musician in the process of discovering for himself how good he really is. --Michael Simmons

Customer Reviews:

4 out of 5 stars Improvisations.......2005-09-10

Jazz in Paris series have always been consistant in their recordings and artists represented.

Stephane Grappelli "Improvisations" is another exceptional CD when old recordings can be techically enhanced to sound good.

The selection of all the old favourites have been extremely well selected and played by Stephane Grappelli in his distinctive style. "Fascinatin' Rhythm" and "Cheek to Cheek" are no exception.

I hope the the digital recordings on vinyl LPs released by him in 1985 will be added to his album collection in future.

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