Hailing from Ireland, violinist David MacKenzie and pianist Josh Johnston release "Notes Home,"their second album together and follow up to their 2004 recording of "A Minor Happiness," essentially a concept album and duet of violin and piano. Unlike their first meeting, the duo enlist help from fellow countrymen guitarist Stephen McFarlane, bassist Andrew Csibi and percussionist Robbie Harris adding a bit more texture to the music. There are thirteen originals of light mellow and ballad-like pieces some drawing inspiration from the music Frenchman Stephane Grapelli and Joe Venuti, considered the father of the jazz violin. Read More
Recorded jazz is still under a century old, but in a little over nine decades an enormous quantity of music has amassed. Read More
Although renowned as one of the world's great practical jokers (he once called a couple dozen bass players with an alleged gig ... Read the full Joe Venuti bio.