HMR Project: History of Music & Modern Recording

Joe Venuti

Birth of Jazz: Joe Venuti

Joe Venuti

Born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, on 16 September 1903, Joe Venuti is generally hailed as the "Father" of jazz violin. His parents immigrants from Italy, during childhood he became friend of his famous partner, guitarist, Eddie Lang, also of Italian heritage. The Lang-Venuti duo in America slightly preceded the famous swing partnership in France between Django Reinhardt (guitar) and Stephene Grappelli (violin) which began in 1932 by about six years.

Venuti's first recordings were with the Jean Goldkette Orchestra for Victor on March 27, 1924, in Detroit. He issued titles with various outfits like that of Red Nichols before commencing his partnership with Lang in 1926. His first tracks with Nichols were in the orchestra of Lou Gold on 5 October 1925 toward 'Let's Wander Away' (Cameo 800) and 'Better Get Acquainted' (Cameo 815). They performed together in Bailey's Lucky Seven before Venuti joined Nichols' Red Heads in November of 1926 for 'Get With' and 'Get a Load of This' toward Pathe-Actuel 11347. He put down tracks with Nichols' Five Pennies in 1927 and recorded with Nichols in one form or another into 1932.

'In the Evening' Joe Venuti w Jean Goldkette and His Orchestra

Venuti's first recording to issue

27 March 1924 in Detroit Matrix 29807-3 Victor 19308 / Gramophone B-1865

Trumpet: Fuzzy Farrar / Ray Lodwig / Tex Brewster

Trombone: Bill Rank / Tommy Dorsey

Clarinet / sax: Stanley Doc Ryker / Jimmy Dorsey / Don Murray

Piano: Dewey Bergman Banjo: Howdy Quicksell

Tuba: Irish Henry Drums: Charles Horvath

Composition: Walter Donaldson

'Sunday' Joe Venuti w Jean Goldkette and His Orchestra

Probably 1st of 2 takes on 15 Oct 1926 in NYC Victor 20273

Take 2 issued on the Beiderbecke compilation Victor LPM-2323 in 1961

Cornet: Bix Beiderbecke Trumpet: Fuzzy Farrar / Ray Lodwig

Trombone: Tommy Dorsey / Bill Rank / Spiegle Willcox

Sax: Don Murray / Stanley Doc Ryker

Piano: Irving Riskin Guitar: Eddie Lang Banjo: Howdy Quicksell

String Bass: Steve Brown Drums: Chauncey Morehouse

Vocals: Nan & Taddy Keller

Composition: Ned Miller / Chester Cohn / Jules Stein / Benny Krueger

Venuti had first recorded with Lang in 1926, their initial two sessions in January with the Roger Wolfe Kahn Orchestra for Victor, yielding: 'Looking for a Boy', 'Song of the Flame', 'Baby' and 'Lantern of Love'. Venuti and Lang recorded their first titles as a duo later that year in September: 'Stringing the Blues' (unissued) and 'Black and Blue Bottom'. Lang then continued with Venuti in both the Goldkette Orchestra (Goldkette a Greek immigrant) and the Kahn Orchestra (Kahn a Jew from a wealthy banking family). Venuti and Lang next recorded as a duo in November: 'String the Blues'. Venuti and Lang pursued their partnership until Lang's early death upon a tonsillectomy on 26 March 1933.

'Four String Joe' Joe Venuti and His Blue Four

15 Nov 1927 in NYC OKeh 40947

Clarinet / baritone sax: Don Murray Piano: Frank Signorelli

Guitar: Eddie Lang Cymbal: Justin Ring ?

Composition: Lang / Venuti

'Because My Baby Don't Mean Maybe' Joe Venuti's New Yorkers

8 June 1928 in NYC OKeh 41056

Trumpet: Leo McConville / Manny Klein Trombone: Charles Butterfield

Clarinet / sax: Don Murray (baritone) / Fud Livingston (tenor)

Alto sax / flute: Arnold Brilhart / Max Farley

Piano / celeste: Arthur Schutt Guitar: Eddie Lang

Tuba: Henry Stern Drums: Chauncey Morehouse

Vocals: Billy Hillpot / Scrappy Lambert

Composition: Walter Donaldson

Among numerous vocalists with whom Venuti recorded was Seger Ellis on a few occasions in 1928 and 1929:

'Ain't Misbehavin'' Joe Venuti w the Seger Ellis Orchestra

23 August 1929 in NYC OKeh 41291

Trumpet: Louis Armstrong Trombone: Tommy Dorsey

Clarinet / sax: Jimmy Dorsey

Piano: Arthur Schutt Guitar: Eddie Lang Drums: Stan King

Vocal: Seger Ellis

Composition: Fats Waller / Andy Razaf / Harry Brooks

Venuti's initial track with the Paul Whiteman Orchestra was on 9 October 1929 in New York City. He was part of Whiteman's crew for the 1929 film, 'King Of Jazz'. Venuti recorded with Whiteman a couple more times in 1930, joining him again a quarter century later in 1956. In titles by Venuti's Blue Four below Adrian Rollini plays a hot fountain pen, a unique reed instrument. Rollini also performed on goofus technically called a cousnophone.

'Wild Cat' Joe Venuti w Eddie Lang and the Paul Whiteman Orchestra

Film: 'King of Jazz' directed by John Murray Anderson Released 19 April 1930

Composition: Lang / Venuti

'Raggin' the Scale' Joe Venuti w His Blue Four

7 May 1930 in NYC Matrix 404005-C OKeh 41432

Reeds (bass sax / hot fountain pen): Adrian Rollini

Piano: Irving Riskin Guitar: Eddie Lang

Composition: Edward Claypoole

'Put and Take' Joe Venuti w His Blue Four

7 May 1930 in NYC Matrix 404006-A or 404006-C both issued on OKeh 41432

Reeds (bass sax / hot fountain pen): Adrian Rollini

Piano: Irving Riskin Guitar: Eddie Lang

Composition: Venuti

Venuti also worked with the orchestra of Ben Selvin (violinist), initially on 5 June 1930 toward 'With My Guitar and You' and 'Around the Corner' on Columbia. Venuti put away numerous tracks with Selvin's operation into 1932. He also contributed to the Fred Rich Orchestra (aka Harold Lem Orchestra) commencing on 29 October 1930 toward such as 'I'll Be Blue Just Thinking of You' and 'Someone Sang a Sweeter Song to Mary' issued on Okeh. Venuti recorded with Rich into 1931.

'I Got Rhythm' Joe Venuti w the Fred Rich Orchestra

29 Oct 1930 in NYC OKeh 41465

Trumpet: Manny Klein / Bill Moore Trombone: Tommy Dorsey

Clarinet / sax: Jimmy Dorsey

Piano: Arthur Schutt Guitar: Eddie Lang

Bass or tuba: Joe Tarto Drums: Stan King

Vocal: Smith Ballew

Composition: George & Ira Gershwin

Venuti's wasn't a career oriented toward popularity charts like Billboard. He nevertheless scored a few Top Ten issues with his own orchestra, the first rising to #4 in 1931 titled 'Little Girl' with vocalist, Harold Arlen. 'Stop, Look, and Listen' reached #5 in 1935 along with 'Twenty-Four Hours a Day' at #7.

'Little Girl' Joe Venuti w His Rhythm Boys

10 June 1931 in NYC Columbia 2488-D Charts: #4

Vocal: Harold Arlen

Composition: Madeline Hyde / Francis Henry

Come Venuti's first tracks with the Boswell Sisters had been in New York City on 23 April 1931. Venuti got matched with the Boswells frequently to 1935.

'It's You' Joe Venuti w the Boswell Sisters

8 July 1931 in NYC Brunswick 6151

Trumpet: Jack Purvis Trombone: Tommy Dorsey

Clarinet: Jimmy Dorsey

Piano: Martha Boswell Guitar: Eddie Lang

String bass: Joe Tarto Drums: Stan King

Vocals: Boswell Sisters (Connie / Vet / Martha)

Composition: Fats Waller / Andy Razaf

One vocalist with whom Venuti found himself recording quite often was Dick Robertson, beginning with the Roger Wolfe Kahn Orchestra in New York City back on 15 May 1929. Robertson was backed by various bands to which Venuti contributed into 1933.

'It Was So Beautiful' Joe Venuti w Dick Robertson and His Orchestra

1 July 1932 in NYC Perfect 15640 / Conqueror 8033 / Oriole 2515-A

Trumpet: Manny Klein Trombone: Charlie Butterfield

Clarinet: Jimmy Dorsey

Piano: Joe Meesco Violins: Harry Hoffman / Al Duffy

Guitar: Carl Kress String bass: Dick Cherwin

Drums: Larry Gomar Vocal: Dick Robertson

Composition: Arthur Freed / Harry Barris

'Jig Saw Puzzle Blues' Joe Venuti / Eddie Lang Blue Five

28 Feb 1933 in NYC Columbia 2782-D

Possibly Lang's last session w Venuti preceding his death

Cornet / clarinet / alto sax: Jimmy Dorsey

Bass sax / goofus / vibes: Adrian Rollini Piano: Phil Wall

Composition: Adrian Rollini

'Moon Glow' Joe Venuti Orchestra

25 Sep 1933 in NYC Banner 32883

Trumpet: Sterling Bose ? Trombone: Red Bone Guitar: Dick McDonough

Remainder unknown

Composition: Will Hudson / Venuti

'Flip' Joe Venuti Orchestra

25 Jan 1939 in NYC Decca 2313 flip side of 'Flop'

Trumpet: Glenn Rohlfing / Bob Stockwell Trombone: Charlie Dahlsten

Alto sax: Wayne Songer / Charlie Spero

Tenor sax: Clark Galehouse / Elmer Beechler

Piano: Mel Grant Guitar: Frank Victor

String bass: George Horvath Drums: Barrett Deems

Composition: Venuti

'Tea For Two' Joe Venuti w the John Scott Trotter Orchestra

'Salute to the Red Cross' radio broadcast of 1 March 1949 in NYC

Assorted personnel:

Guitar: Perry Botkin String bass: Phil Stevens

Vocals: Bing Crosby / Peggy Lee

'Tea For Two' music by Vincent Youmans 1924 Lyrics: Irving Caesar

'Hoedown Lowdown' Joe Venuti w His Blue Five

Sometime 1957 in NYC ? Issued on Jazz Vault JV109A as Venuti's Sextet in 1979

Piano: Buddy Weed Guitar: George Barnes and/or Danny Perri

String bass: Eddie Safranski Drums: Bunny Shawker

'Lowdown Hoedown' (inverted) had been composed by Spade Cooley

Venuti had begun to play at the Desert Inn Hotel in Las Vegas in 1961 where he performed for several years, also working with the Las Vegas Symphony Orchestra. The Las Vegas venue had generally been where artists past their prime gravitated. But this wasn't Venuti who made some remarkable recordings with an array of jazz masters during the latter years of his life. In 1969 he recorded the albums 'The Joe Venuti Quartet', 'Once More With Feeling' and 'Venupelli Blues', the latter with Stephane Grappelli. Albums followed to 1971 when he toured to Europe where he performed with drummer, Gilberto Cuppini, in Germany and Milan, again with Grappelli in Milan, then with Lino Patruno and His Friends followed by the Dutch Swing College Band in Netherlands. In 1973 he scratched his first tracks with sax player, Zoot Sims, again in 1974 and 1975. The compilation, 'Joe & Zoot & More', packages 'The Joe Venuti Blue Four' issued in 1974 with 'Joe Venuti and Zoot Sims' released in 1975. In the meanwhile Venuti returned to Milan in 1974. He was joined by mandolinist, Jethro Burns, on occasions from 1975 to 1978. Most of the album, 'Joe in Chicago 1978' was recorded sometime 1978 excepting 'Undecided' in 1976 per Discogs. (Lord has this inverted with most going down in 1976 excepting 'Undecided' in 1978). Venuti and pianist, Earl Hines, recorded the album, 'Hot Sonatas', in October 1976. He left behind the album, 'Alone at the Palace' with pianist, Dave McKenna, in Albany, New York, in April 1977 followed by 'Live at Concord '77' in California with pianist, Ross Tomkins, on 4 August 1977.

'Joe Venuti in Milan' Album by Joe Venuti w Lino Patruno and His Friends

3 May 1971 in Milan Issued on Durium ms A 77277 in 1971

Baritone sax / flute: Sergio Rigon Guitar: Lino Patruno

String bass: Toto De Serio Drums: Giorgio Vanni

'Joe & Zoot & More' Joe Venuti w Zoot Sims (saxophone)

Recorded 1973 / 1974 Compilation issued on Chiaroscuro Records CR 128 2002

Bass Sax: Spencer Clark Guitar: Bucky Pizzarelli

String bass: George Duvivier / Milt Hinton Drums: Cliff Leeman

'Limehouse Blues' Joe Venuti w Lino Patruno (guitar) Television

Recorded 1975 if not 28 August 1974 in Milan See Domovideo 57860 at Lino Patruno

Bass Sax: Spencer Clark Guitar: Bucky Pizzarelli

String bass: George Duvivier / Milt Hinton Drums: Cliff Leeman

'Hot Sonatas' Joe Venuti w Earl Hines (piano)

Recorded 22 Oct 1975 in NYC From the album 'Hot Sonatas' on Chiaroscuro CR145

Composition: Hines / Venuti

'Undecided' Joe Venuti

Probably sometime 1976 included on 'Joe in Chicago 1978'

Composition: Charlie Shavers / Sid Robin

This album on Flying Fish 077 in 1979: All Music Discogs

'China Boy' Joe Venuti Television

1975 if not 7 Aug 1976 in Rochester NY

Looks a lot like 'Jazz at the Top' for PBS See Bixography Discogs

Piano: Marian McPartland String bass: Major Holley Drums: Cliff Leeman

Composition: Dick Winfree / Phil Boutelje

'More Than You Know' Joe Venuti w Dave McKenna (piano)

From the album 'Alone at the Palace' recorded 27/28 April 1977

Palace Theatre in Albany NY

Composition: Vincent Youmans / Billy Rose / Edward Eliscu 1929

'Alone at the Palace' on Chiaroscuro Records CR160 in 1977: All Music Discogs

Among Venuti's last performances was an appearance on the 'Dick Cavett Show' (1968-1986) in May of 1978. A CD titled 'Joe's Last Ride' was made privately available in 2013, most of which had been recorded sometime in 1978 excepting 'Embraceable You'' gone down in 1976.