R.I.P.: Svend Asmussen (1916-2017)

(born on February 28, 1916, in Copenhagen, Denmark;
died on February 7, 2017, Dronningmølle, Denmark)

R.I.P. Svend Asmussen (1916-2017), one of the best violin players in jazz history, and an institution in Danish jazz. He passed away (today) a few days before his 101th Birthday! This is my favorite Svend album, recorded in 1972 with Toots Thielemans plus Red Mitchell, Ed Thigpen, Kjell Ohman and Stefan Brolund. A lovely bossa nova titled "Denise," written by Thigpen, used to receive a lot of airplay at JB-AM radio station in my native Brazil, at the time of the album release in 1973. The repertoire also includes great tunes by Toots, Milt Jackson and Duke Ellington. Besides the violin, Svend plays viola and cello. His career spanned eight decades, with over 80 albums as a leader or co-leader. Rest in Heaven.