Grappelli, Stéphane (1908–1997)

French jazz violinist. He played in the Quintette du Hot Club de France (1934–39), in partnership with the guitarist Django Reinhardt. Romantic improvisation was a hallmark of his style.

Grappelli spent World War II in the UK and returned several times to record there, including a number of jazz albums with the classical violinist Yehudi Menuhin in the 1970s. Of his other collaborations, an LP with the mandolinist David Grisman (1945– ) reached the US pop chart in 1981.