Stephane Grappelli Ensemble - May 17, 1957 NDR Studio Hamburg

German broadcaster NDR has recorded the stars of international jazz since the early 1950's and taken from this archive is a superb series of re-mastered CDs featuring previously unreleased material. The third album in this series features eminent violinist Stephane Grappelli, famed for his countless recordings with guitarist Django Reinhardt and the now legendary Quintette du Hot Club de France.All of the music was recorded at NDR's studios on May 7th 1957 and the twenty track programme sees Grappelli fronting an ensemble including pianist Maurice Vander, drummer Rolf Ahrens and bassist Hans Last, who was to later become better known as bandleader James Last.Full of joie de vivre, this distinctive set includes songs from the Great American Songbook (Lady Be Good, The Lady is a Tramp) together with pieces, perhaps unsurprisingly, from his former comrade Django Reinhardt (Nuages, Manoir De Mes Reves).Personnel: Stephane Grappelli (violin), Maurice Vander (piano), Hans James Last (bass), Rolf Ahrens (drums)