Joe Venuti pioneered the jazz violin; his virtuoso playing influenced generations of players from Stephane Grappelli to Jean-Luc Ponty and beyond. Famous for his “hot” style, his recordings with guitarist Eddie Lang in the late 1920s – early 30s are jazz milestones. He worked with the Dorseys, Bix Beiderbecke, and Benny Goodman. Venuti was “rediscovered” in the late 1960s. Recorded in 1971, the album also features the superb American pianist Lou Stein. Signor Venuti’s Gershwin Medley covers an emotive Summertime, an infectious ‘S Wonderful, a relaxed Embraceable You, a happy-go-lucky Lady Be Good, and an expressive Rhapsody in Blue that segues into a jumpin’ I Got Rhythm. Venuti bows to his Italian heritage on O Marie before transforming it into a jaunty piece of swing. After You’ve Gone has Joe playing melody-driven improvisations with seemingly limitless creative embellishments. Fats Waller’s Honeysuckle Rose is taken at a medium-slow pace with lots of feel before double timing it. Lover begins romantically, then moves into ¾ before ending up in a romping 4/4. The Dixieland classic Muskrat Ramble has a stately bounce as Venuti trades with the drums. Venuti’s One Finger Joe is a medium-tempo blues that jumps into double time. Originally recorded in 1927, the Venuti-Lang composition Doin’ Things sold over 600,000 copies and made Venuti a star – a fitting piece to end on.
