In my early twenties, I had the good fortune to be introduced to the music of, and first see perform the legendary jazz violinist Stephane Grappelli. The first concert I attended was in the early 1970's in New York City's Greenwich Village. After the show, I had the even greater good fortune to meet him, where upon I told him how much I enjoyed his performance and that I too, a violinist, (albeit a very young and inexperienced one at the time) hoped one day to be able to play like him. He was very gracious and kind as we shook hands, and he wished me good luck.

This was very much a seminal moment in my life, and although I performed professionally for many years performing other types of music, (blues and rock for the most part) it was always a desire for me to be able to someday sincerely and vigorously pursue the study of the music and performing style of this master violinist.

This then recently led to a project of taking on the task of transcribing a great deal of his recordings and performances throughout his long and legendary career, with the intention of  not just notating his use of notes and rhythms, but ultimately, to illuminate and illustrate the style, manner and musicianship in which he performed.

After transcribing some 200 of his recorded performances, I then decided to further extend the project by making videos/recordings of many of these transcriptions. The following is a series of videos (most, but not all) of these transcriptions that Grappelli originally recorded with the legendary guitarist Django Reinhardt, between the years of 1935 to 1949.

For immediate access to my YouTube channel, please click on the following link: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCL_Kn6UXf8sLfdn0pYck2_g

Thomas Fraioli and Cadillac Moon Play at the Bitter End 1992

The song "Djangology" was written by Django Reinhardt and Stephane Grappelli and first recorded, along with the Quintet of the Hot Club of Paris, in Paris, in September of 1935. It was a favorite song of Grappelli's, and he recorded it often during his long career.
"Anouman" is one of Django Reinhard't's last compositions. Recorded in 1953, he named the song after Sri Hanuman, the great Hindu monkey god who represents dexterity, discipline, and utmost devotion. The following is a violin transcription of the alto saxophonist Hubert Fol's performance from that song and session, as written, arranged, and performed by Thomas Fraioli.
"Swing Gitane", is a very popular gypsy jazz instrumental, was written by the modern French manouche jazz guitar virtuoso Angelo Debarre. The following (as written, arranged and performed by Thomas Fraioli) is a partial violin transcription from a performance by the great Romanian violinist Florin Niculescu, considered by many as the best jazz manouche violinist of our days, and successor to the legendary jazz violinist, Stéphane Grappelli.
World War II was raging when Django Reinhardt, Stephane Grappelli, and the Quintet of the Hot Club of France recorded these tracks in 1939, and are (including "Swing 39") among the last recorded in Paris by the entire group.
"Limehouse Blues" is a popular 1922 British song written in London by Douglas Furber and Phillip Braham, and still remains a standard in the jazz repertory today.
A Stephane Grappelli transcription of the famous Bernie, Pinkard and Casey tune, "Sweet Georgia Brown, written in 1925 and recorded in 1938 by Grappelli, Django Reinhardt and the Quintet of the Hot Club of France.
"I Surrender, Dear" is a song written by Harry Barris and Gordon Clifford in 1931. It was first performed by Bing Crosby and became his first solo hit. It has been covered by a large number of artists, making it a jazz and pop standard.
"Stompin' At The Decca" was most probably composed and improvised for a recording session by Django Reinhardt and Stephane Grappelli. Along with the Quintette of the Hot Club of France, they recorded this "jam tune" in London on January 31st, 1938.
A Stephane Grappelli violin transcription written and performed by Thomas Fraioli. Transcribed from the 1937 recording of "Minor Swing", perhaps the most popular and enduring of all the Django Reinhardt/Grappelli collaborations. Recorded along with the Quintette of the Hot Club of France.
" Runnin' Wild" is a popular song first composed and recorded in 1922, and was written by A.H. Gibbs, Joe Grey and Leo Wood. Although the song was popular since its debut in the 1920's, it became even more well known when it appeared in the classic 1959 comedy film Some Like It Hot, set in the late prohibition era, with Marilyn Monroe singing the vocals.
"Dinette" is a Django Reinhardt composition that pays homage to, and borrows the chord progression from the famous song "Dinah", written by Harry Akst, and published in 1925. Reinhardt recorded the tune a total of three times, in 1940, 1947 and 1950.
"Song For My Father" was written by Horace Silver, and dedicated to his father, John Tavares Silva. The song was recorded by Silver and the Horace Silver Quintet in 1965. The following is an arrangement of the song as written, arranged and performed by Thomas Fraioli, and is dedicated to his father, the late Dr. Anthony Vincent Fraioli.