Stephane Grappelli (January 26, 1908 - December 1, 1997) was a pioneer jazz violinist who founded the quintet of the Hot Club of France with Django Reinhardt. It was the first all-string jazz band.
He was born in Paris, France to Italian parents and started his musical career as a silent film pianist.
After his career with Reinhardt, he appeared on hundreds of recordings including sessions with Oscar Peterson, Jean-Luc Ponty, Paul Simon and classical violinist Yehudi Menuhin.
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Stephane Grappelli died in 1997 and was interred in Paris' famous Pere Lachaise Cemetery.