Stéphane Grappelli was known for his legendary violin playing. In 1994, he was still magnificent at over 80 years of age. The standing ovation for the trio seemed inevitable. The second star guest was in great demand as a piano virtuoso on the ivory keys, even calling himself the «Pavarotti of Jazz», because he wanted to have as much joy as the singer in his performances with Petrucciani’s Fun Project. This evening had the quality of a true gala, with artists who were known for their performances at international music festivals.

Stéphane Grappelli, already 80 years old at the time, was the first European jazz musician to create a sensation in the US in the 1950s. Even today, nobody plays the violin like this old gentleman did. A close friend of Django Reinhardt’s, he enjoyed his performances with the glee of a newbie. He appeared at the festival with Marc Fosset (bass) und Jack Sewing (guitar).

Jazz critic Joachim E. Berendt saw Toots Thielemans as the first musician to integrate the harmonica into jazz and blues. Thielemans had played with stars like Ella Fitzgerald, Quincy Jones, Bill Evans, and Billy Joel. In Basel, Michel Herr on the piano, Bruno Castellucci on the drums and Michel Hatzigeorgiou on the bass all joined Toots on his harmonica.