Florin Niculescu - Plays Stephane Grappelli (2010)
Florin Niculescu - Plays Stephane Grappelli (2010)
MP3 CBR 320 kbps | 12 Tracks | 47:46 | 106 MB
Genre: Jazz | Label: BluJazz
MP3 CBR 320 kbps | 12 Tracks | 47:46 | 106 MB
Genre: Jazz | Label: BluJazz
It is a logical choice for modern day violinists to produce their obligatory tribute to the greatest all-time player of the instrument, Stéphane Grappelli. Florin Niculescu, apparently a late bloomer as a leader (he logged in many years with the group Pearl Django,) has an advantage, being of European descent and displaying a verve comparable to the spirited Grappelli. Straddling the line between 1930s hot jazz, swing, and be-bop, Niculescu has learned his lessons well, mixing in his own compositions with that of Grappelli's. He also has picked an interesting backup band, with the outstanding pianist Peter Beets, American rising star bassist Darryl Hall, and capable drummer Bruno Ziarelli in tow. On select tracks are two excellent contemporary guitarists from the Django Reinhardt school – Marc Fosset and the renowned Christian Escoude. While not challenging or groundbreaking, Niculescu plays with a perfectionist's aesthetic, not venturing into the advanced high octave harmonic realm Grappelli perfected, but also making no missteps into terrain that would brand him a didactic revolutionary. This straight-ahead program is consistent, from the furious bop pace of "Daphne" featuring choppy little phrases with Hall in "I Got Rhythm" style, to the bopper "Eveline" with the guitars, to the popping, fun rhythms of "Blues for Stephane" in double stops galore. "Opportunity" also offers Beets his turn to burn impressively, and if you are not familiar with him, you should be. The rest of the tracks are easygoing, almost effortless tunes, as the slight waltz of the reticent "Hesitation," the more bright and lighthearted "Light," and the introspective piano/violin duet "Souvenir De Villingen" echoes "'Round About Midnight." A certain nonchalance is heard during the blues waltz "Tournesol," while the regret of the classic "Lush Life" is prevalent in large drops on the ballad "La Chanson Des Rues." While the enormously talented front runners like Regina Carter and Christian Howes are not likely looking over their shoulders, Florin Niculescu is hot on their trail, and should be producing many pleasing recordings like this for years to come. (Michael G. Nastos)
Tracklist:
1. Opportunity
2. Hesitation
3. Chanson des Rues, La
4. Automne
5. Light
6. Tournesol
7. Daphne
8. Andre
9. Eveline
10. Souvenir De Villingen
11. Old Man River
12. Blues for Stephane
Personnel:
Florin Niculescu (violone);
Christian Escoude (guitar);
Marc Fosset (guitar);
Peter Beets (piano).
Florin Niculescu - Plays Stephane Grappelli (2010)
