This CD features a logical combination of two talented Frenchmen, violinist
Stéphane Grappelli and pianist
Michel Petrucciani, who had never recorded together before. With the assistance of bassist
George Mraz and drummer
Roy Haynes, the co-leaders romp on a variety of standards.
Petrucciani was 32 at the time of this June 1995 set, a mere child compared to the 87-year-old
Grappelli. Despite his age,
Grappelli's violin playing sounds as youthful and enthusiastic as it had been in the 1930s; the 60 years of practice had not hurt. While
Petrucciani's music is usually in the
Bill Evans post-bop vein, he was happy to visit
Grappelli's turf on this occasion, mostly playing veteran standards. On such songs as "Sweet Georgia Brown," "How About You" (here mistitled "I Love New York in June"), "I Remember April," and "There Will Never Be Another You,"
Stephane Grappelli is both joyful and masterful. Highly recommended. ~ Scott Yanow