London Meeting

Violinist Stephane Grappelli is paired with pianist Hank Jones for this 1979 session in London, joined by former Duke Ellington bassist Jimmy Woode and drummer Alan Dawson. The focus is, not surprisingly, on standards from the 1930s and 1940s, though the quartet brings a fresh sound to each piece. Throughout the date Grappelli seems particularly inspired by his bandmates. The driving opener, "Hallelujah," showcases a fine brushed solo by Dawson, while Jones' dreamy introduction and superb accompaniment makes the melancholy "Yesterdays" pack an even greater emotional punch. The violinist shines with the snappy rhythm section in the strutting take of "Thou Swell," which suggests a rumba. Grappelli's original "Mellow Grapes" is a playful, swinging mid-tempo blues. This Black & Blue CD reissue adds three excellent bonus tracks from a different session where the rhythm section is made up of Sir Roland Hanna, Bucky Pizzarelli, George Duvivier, and Oliver Jackson. ~ Ken Dryden