Rosenberg Trio & Tim Kliphuis - Tribute to Stephane Grappelli (2008)

The Rosenberg trio consists of the three cousins Nonnie, Nous'che and Stochelo Rosenberg. All three have been playing music since their childhood days. As Children, they have learnt by listening and watching their family members at celebrations and gatherings. Following the great gipsy musical traditioon, they were tought to play by ear, and to practice restlessly, playing the classics over and over again. Neither of the three can actually read or write music, but they are nonetheless one of today's most impressive jazz bands, and certainly the best around when it comes to "Gipsy Jazz".

The cohesion of the trio, the strength, might and precision of Nonnie and Nous'che's breathtaking rhythms and uncatchable tempo, the ease with which Stochelo's lead guitar sings and swings above this impressive rhythmic section, makes this band a truly unique act in the world of Jazz, both in their own rendering of standards, of Django's classic compositions and in the greatly melodic original tunes that Stochelo himself manages to compose… Perhaps it was why they were adopted by Maestro Stéphane Grappelli, who, after seing and hearing them for the first time, immediatly invited them to play with him, taking them worldwide, across Europe, and also to celebrate his 85th birthday at New York's Carnegie Hall… This Friendship was not to end until Stéphane's death, and they recorded together on Stéphane's birthday album "85 and still swinging", on the Rosenberg Trio's "Caravan" (Verve, 1994) and on Manhattan Transfer's 1997 album "Swing"… In 2008 The rosenbergs paid a wonderful tribute to their long-time friend on what would have been his 100th birthday (see bleow).

A true family affair, The Rosenberg Trio displays the essence of the gipsy musical mastery and magic, transmitted from generation to generation across countless camp meetings, jam sessions and family heritage…
Since their childhood days, the three cousins have been playing together at family reunions, religious celebrations, and more and more events as their talent grew and demand became constant.
At the age of 12, Stochelo was awarded the prize for best musician at a child's musical contest on dutch television, and since then the trio has been constantly on the rise, on a course that has now taken them worldwide to play on the most reputed stages along the world's greatest musicians, including a memorable show at New York's Carnegie Hall for legendary violonist Stephane Grapelli's 85th birthday celebration, and many other magic moments.
The Rosenberg trio's discographic debut, "Seresta" was the start of a series of albums which have been aknowledged by jazz lovers, gipsy musicians and music critics alike as "must haves". The album released in may 2007, simply named "Roots" pays a large tribute to Django's tunes and also features some of Stochelo's compositions and others, And was soon followed by the latest, "Tribute to Stéphane Grappelli" featuring Tim Kliphuis on violin, released in March 2008. For a preview of this new album, go here.

Nonnie Rosenberg, Born in 1956, Is the double-bass player of the trio.
As a young boy, Nonnie was surrounded by guitars, which his father and uncles played. Of course, Nonnie caught the music virus in his early days, dreaming to become a great Flamenco guitarist, so he tried to gain access to his father's guitar and play it whenever his father was away.
But being born in a family of so many guitarists can be tricky, and Nonnie was soon asked to pick up a double bass to join the family band, as there were already too many guitarists… For a young boy, the enormous instrument was at first a horrible thing to struggle with, but the restless training, jamming and musical life of the Rosenberg clan turned him into a master of the instrument (although Nonnie prefers to consider himself as a sideman, never wishing to take a solo, as Stochelo is here for that, he says) and made him the backbone of the Trio's irresistible groove, in conjunction with Nous'che's guitar, which blends into the double bass to form a compact, flawless rhythmic section so powerful that it could seem there are five of those guys playing, and so tight that it sounds like the five of them are playing one big instrument. Teamwork.

Nous'che Rosenberg, Born in 1965, plays the rhythm guitar.
Needless say Nous'che started playing in his early childhood days too, as a young Rosenberg boy is very likely to. He performed in local meetings, churches and kept playing all day, everyday. He was 16 when they were awarded the Dutch television's music contest first prize, and 24 when the Rosenberg trio took the Django Reinhardt Festival in Samois' stage by storm and delivered a memorable set that earnt them a top rank in today's gipsy jazz universe. Since then the Rosenberg trio's reputation is growing worldwide, and Nous'che is recognized as one of the very best rhythm guiter players on the planet… One of his favorite tricks is to speed up the tempo so fast that only the best around can keep up with him… And when it comes to gipsy jazz, a fast tempo can be… lightning-fast.
Nous'che plays Eimers guitars and Selmer Guitars.

Stochelo Rosenberg, born in 1968, is the lead-guitarist.
The funny thing about Stochelo is that he started to play guitar at the very "late" age of 10 years old, which is very rare in such a musical family. But Stochelo caught up incredibly quick, constantly replaying Django's solos over and over when he was not learning from his father Mimer and his uncle Wasso Grunholz. Rapidly spotted as an exceptional talent, Stochelo had several early opportunities to get signed on various record companies, but his parents wanted to keep him protected from the universe of "show business" while he was young, so he remained to play with his cousins and matured what would become one of the leading formations in the history of gipsy jazz. Stochelo's unmistakable, extremely melodic playing is now universally regarded as one of the most brilliant forms of guitar plaing ever. But he himself doesn't want to hear that… "Forget about Stochelo and all the others" he says… "If you want to learn and understand gipsy jazz, start with Django, the best guitarist that ever was".
But it seems his playing is proving Stochelo wrong… even in the sinti community he is regarded as a true legitimate heir of the untouchable Icon of swing, and his rendering of Django's classics at the Samois Festival brought tears to the eye's of Django's sister Carmen. Not just a virtuoso player, Stochelo is the man behind compositions such as the enchanting "For Sephora" ( a tune which has conquered the hearts of so many guitarists that it is already a classic to practice upon - see Stochelo explain it in the video Section), the dreamy "Rumba Sunset", and many others that reveal Stochelo's unique ability to bring the melody to the forefront of even the wildest, fastest runnig solo, making anything he plays a combination of unbelievable virtuosity, mindblowing technique and simple musical beauty. Not many guitarists succeed in reaching the elite of six-string-players and yet to continue playing simple, accessible melodies that reach the heart of any music-lover, not just guitar fans… Stochelo is one of them, and his magic makes the Rosenberg's music universal.
Stochelo was awarded the "Golden guitar" by Guitarist Magazine in 1992, and has collaborated with many musicans, bands and orchestras, live or in studio, Including Bireli Lagrene's Gipsy Project and his series of albums with french Guitarist Romane which are Must-haves for all those who like his playing.
Stochelo Plays Eimers Guitars and Selmer Guitars.

The names of The Rosenberg Trio and Stochelo Rosenberg are now synonymous with "gipsy jazz", lighting a special light in the eyes of all guitar players around the world, and keeping a magic flame burning in the hearts of all music lovers…



Track List:
1. R-Vingt-Six (Django Reinhardt - S. Grapelli) 3’36
2. My Melancholy Baby (E. Burnett - G. Norton) 2’57
3. Micro (Django Reinhardt) 2’52
4. Si Tu Savais (G. Koger / G. Ulmer) 3’12
5. Eveline (S. Grapelli) 2’52
6. What Am I Here For (D. Ellington) 3’10
7. You Are The Sunshine Of My Life (Stevie Wonder) 5’22
8. Liza (G. Gershwin) 2’27
9. Time On My Hands (Adamson - Gordon - Youmans) 2’21
10. How High The Moon (Hamilton - Lewis) 3’03
11. Nuages (Django Reinhardt) 3’54
12. I Got Rhythm (I. Gershwin - G. Gershwin) 3’16
13. I Surrender Dear (H. Barris - G. Clifford) 3’42
14. Ol’ Man River (Hammerstein II - Kern) 3’45
15. Diminishing (Django Reinhardt) 2’55

Tim Kliphuis : violon
Stochelo Rosenberg : guitare
Nonnie Rosenberg : contrebasse
Nous'che Rosenberg : guitare

With:
Tim Kliphuis : violon



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