The violin has had an honored place in jazz since the music's earliest days, but it has never had the legions of skilled players that reed, brass, and rhythm instruments attract. There have been at most a dozen truly distinguished jazz players on this demanding instrument. Two of the most remarkable team up here: Stephane Grappelli, a sophisticated Frenchman who expresses exquisite romanticism, and Stuff Smith, a master of blues and the art of swinging at any tempo. They are accompanied by th… MORE