Jean-Luc Ponty, Al Di Meola and Stanley Clarke

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It did not last long but the Rite Of Strings, a trio consisting of violinist Jean-Luc Ponty, guitarist Al DiMeola, and bassist Stanley Clarke, created some impressive music.

All three of the artists were household names by 1994 when they performed “Renaissance” together at the Montreux Jazz Festival.

They only recorded one album, 1995’s Rite Of Strings, but they sounded very much like a regularly working band on the rare occasions that they collaborated.

While it is a pity that the super group did not last longer, this film clip shows how relaxed and complementary the three masterful musicians sounded when they played together.

-Scott Yanow

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