Danish jazz violonist Svend Asmussen dies aged 100
AFP/The Local - [email protected]
Published: 8 Feb, 2017 CET.
Updated: Wed 8 Feb 2017 08:52 CET
Danish jazz violinist Svend Asmussen, whose long career included collaborations with Stephane Grappelli, Josephine Baker and Duke Ellington, died on Tuesday at the age of 100, his family said.
Born in 1916 in Copenhagen to German parents, he started working professionally at the age of 17 and enjoyed a career which spanned eight decades.
He accompanied many of the greats of 20th century popular music, including Fats Waller, Edith Piaf, Django Reinhardt and Lionel Hampton.
"I am often accused of being a chameleon," Asmussen, who also acted and painted, told a Danish newspaper last year. "I must say that I broadly agree. I am always embarking on different projects."
Asmussen died just weeks short of his 101st birthday on February 28.
Svend Asmussen and Duke Ellington, circa 1963. Photo: Scanpix
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Born in 1916 in Copenhagen to German parents, he started working professionally at the age of 17 and enjoyed a career which spanned eight decades.
He accompanied many of the greats of 20th century popular music, including Fats Waller, Edith Piaf, Django Reinhardt and Lionel Hampton.
"I am often accused of being a chameleon," Asmussen, who also acted and painted, told a Danish newspaper last year. "I must say that I broadly agree. I am always embarking on different projects."
Asmussen died just weeks short of his 101st birthday on February 28.
Svend Asmussen and Duke Ellington, circa 1963. Photo: Scanpix
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