Product Description
First album by French violinist Mathilde Febrer, on which she pays homage to the legendary Stéphane Grappelli. Mathilde studied violin under two other disciples of Stéphane Grappelli, and contemporary greats of French jazz violin, Didier Lockwood and Pierre Blanchard.
“What I aimed for was to get as close as possible to the true beauty and precise tone of Stéphane’s music`” explains Mathilde. “I listened again to all of Stéphane’s albums and any other recordings he made. It took me two months to decide on which tunes to include on this album.” In addition, she has recorded some of her own original tunes. “Stéphane valued creativity, so these were composed with Stéphane in mind, as if I was picking up the baton as Stéphane’s successor”
Mathilde Febrer first encountered violin aged four. She began lessons at the age of six, studying
classical music and embarked upon a career as a classical musician. She became fascinated by jazz from around the age of 25 started studying under Didier Lockwood, who was himself a student of Stéphane Grappelli. From 1997 she was taught at a music school by Pierre Blanchard, another student of Stéphane Grappelli.
Mathilde went on to perform in a variety of styles including swing jazz, tango and chanson. She has
performed and collaborated with a variety of musicians from different genres such as Henri Salvador, Charles Aznavour, Francis Cabrel and Sanseverino. For Respect Record in Japan, she recorded and album with accordionist Daniel Colin in 2016, appeared on an album by Claire Elzières, and performed live with Claire in Japan.
Participating musicians:
Alain Jean-Marie, Piano
One of France’s leading jazz pianists who has performed with jazz legends such as Chet Baker, Art Farmer and Abbey Lincoln
Yves Torchinsky, Bass
Played with the René Urtreger Trio and the L'Orchestre de Contrebasses. Plays a variety of music from pop to jazz and blues.
Julien Charlet, Drums
Has participated on many recordings including by Serge Gainsbourg, Jean-Michel Davis album Vibraphone Jazz
Jean-Marie Ecay, Guitar
Played with Didier Lockwood and many other musicians including Stanley Clarke and Larry Carlton. Has featured on over 350 albums
Samy Daussat, Guitar
Plays jazz manouche with Tchavolo Schmitt and has released his own albums. One of the best current gypsy jazz guitarists.
Christophe Lampideccia, Accordion
Learnt from some of the greatest accordionists such as Marcel Azzola, Jo Privat and Bruno Lorenzoni. Has played with Louis Winsberg, Marc Berthoumieux, Minino Garay, Maurane and Claire Elzière.
1. I’ll Remember April, Composer: Gene De Paul
A famous tune covered by many jazz musicians including Miles Davis and Oscar Peterson. This is a favourite number of Stéphane who recorded it on his collaborative album with Bucky Pizzarelli.
2. Japan Feeling, Composer: Mathilde Febrer
A typical Manouche swing number in the style of Stéphane Grappelli and Django Reinhardt. ``I thought that the festival-loving and cheerful atmosphere that I experienced in Japan was similar to Manouche Swing,'' says Mathilde. Newly written for this work, dedicated to Japan.
3. Douce France Gentle France, Composer: Charles Trenet and Léo Chauliac
This song, considered a masterpiece of chanson, was recorded by Stéphane Grappelli in collaboration with Michel Legrand.
4. Milou En Mai, (from the movie ``Milou in May’’), Composer: Stéphane Grappelli
Theme song for the movie ``Milou in May'' composed by Stéphane Grappelli. This film was directed by Louis Malle and released in 1990.
5. Blues For Stéphane, Composer: Mathilde Febrer
Blues dedicated to Stéphane Grappelli. Newly written for this work, for Stéphane’s love of the blues.
6. Ballade De l'Espérance Ballad of Hope, Composer: Mathilde Febrer
Another newly written piece for this album. ``This melody naturally came out of me, influenced by Stéphane, and considering the current times. It's an original song filled with hope for peace.'' (Mathilde Febrer)
7. Si Tu Savais If You Knew, Composer: George Ulmer
This is a masterpiece of a chanson that was recorded by Stéphane Grappelli together with Django Reinhardt.
8. Double From No.1 Partita For Violin Double From Partita No. 1 for unaccompanied violin Composer: Jean Sebastien BACH
Classical music transformed into jazz. Stéphane Grappelli and Django Reinhardt arranged this piece in 1937 and was recorded and performed live by the duo.
9. Valse Du Grand Paris Waltz of Grand Paris, Composer: Mathilde Febrer
Written especially for this album, featuring the ensemble of Christophe Lampidechia's accordion and Mathilde's violin. “I imagined Stéphane and Richard Galliano (accordionist) were performing together” (Mathilde Febrer)
10. Daphné, Composer: Django Reinhardt
A masterpiece by Django Reinhardt. Together with Stéphane Grappelli, they were the principal soloists of the Quintette du Hot Club de France, the most accomplished and innovative European jazz group before the second world war. This is a standard song that has been played at most of Stéphane's concerts.
11. The Jitterbug Waltz, Composer: Thomas''Fats''Waller
A famous jazz waltz written by Fats Waller, loved and recorded by Stephane Grappelli.
12 Les Valseuses (from the movie ``Valseuses'') Composer: Stéphane Grappelli
Theme song of the movie ``Les Valseuses'' composed by Stéphane Grappelli. Directed by Bertrand Blier, released in 1975. "My teacher Didier Lockwood used to play this a lot” (Mathilde Febrer)
¦Recording information Recorded at studio De La Seine (Paris) in May 2023 Recording & mixing engineer: Mohammad Sadeghin Mastering: Studio Chatri (Tokyo) Mastering engineer: Mitsukazu Tanaka
