Joe Venuti Albums (10)
'Joe and Zoot and More'
Release Date 8/6/2002
Tracks 17
Label Chiaroscuro
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What The Critics Say
At first glance, Philadelphia violinist Joe Venuti and Los Angeles tenor/soprano saxophonist Zoot Sims might seem an unlikely combination. Venuti was known for swing, classic jazz, and Dixieland, whereas Sims (who was young enough to be Venuti's son) was primarily a cool/bop musician along the lines of Stan Getz, Al Cohn, and Paul Quinichette. But when you think about it, the combination makes perfect sense. Before Sims made bop changes his main focus in the mid-'40s, he played in swing bands -- and Sims (like Getz, Cohn, and Quinichette) was heavily influenced by the seminal Lester Young. So all things considered, it makes perfect sense for Venuti and Sims to join forces on Joe and Zoot and More (which was recorded in 1973 and 1974). Stepping outside of cool jazz and bop, Sims enthusiastically joins Venuti in a classic jazz/swing setting. The performances generally recall the early '30s, and Venuti and Sims enjoy an undeniably strong rapport on inspired versions of "I Found a New Baby," "Indiana," and other familiar standards. As gutsy and hard-swinging as the up-tempo performances are, Venuti and Sims are unapologetically sentimental on ballads like "There's a Small Hotel" and "My One and Only Love." Some bop snobs might think the ballads are toosentimental -- in bop, ballad playing has often tended to be less sentimental and more intellectual than the swing and classic jazz ballad playing of the '30s. (Lyrical, romantic, and pretty don't necessarily mean ultra-sentimental.) But truth be told, there is nothing wrong with jazz instrumentalists being sentimental -- it certainly worked well for Bunny Berigan, Chu Berry, Artie Shaw, and countless others who emerged in jazz's pre-bop era. Joe and Zoot and More is an excellent CD that Venuti fans and Sims admirers should both make a point of obtaining. ~ Alex Henderson, All Music Guide
What The Critics Say
This is an unusual and frequently exciting album of duets between the two great veterans Joe Venuti and Earl Hines; despite both being active for over a half-century, they had never played together before. The interplay between the violinist and the pianist is consistently unpredictable and they communicate quite well on these swing standards (three of which were composed by Hines long ago). This unique encounter deserves to be reissued on CD. ~ Scott Yanow, All Music Guide
What The Critics Say
Violinist Joe Venuti, 73 at the time of this recording and only a little more than a year away from his death, was in typically swinging form for this quintet set with Dick Hyman (who doubles on piano and organ), guitarist Bucky Pizzarelli, bassist Major Holley and drummer Cliff Leeman. In addition to the six standards, there are four lesser-known Venuti compositions performed by this fine group. The music alternates between romantic ballads and stomps such as "Sweet Georgia Brown" and "Clarinet Marmalade." ~ Scott Yanow, All Music Guide
What The Critics Say
This matchup between violinist Joe Venuti and guitarist George Barnes works quite well. With fine accompaniment from rhythm guitarist Bob Gibbons, bassist Herb Mickman and drummer Jake Hanna, the lead voices are free to romp on the ten standards. There are many high points, including "I Want to Be Happy," "Oh Baby," "Hindustan" and "Lady Be Good." ~ Scott Yanow, All Music Guide
'Joe Venuti and Zoot Sims'
Release Date 2/8/1994
Tracks 14
Label Chiaroscuro
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What The Critics Say
Violinist Joe Venuti's three recordings with tenorman Zoot Sims are all quite joyful and exciting. This Chiaroscuro recording matches the pair with pianist John Bunch, bassist Milt Hinton, drummer Bobby Rosengarden and, on "Don't Take Your Love from Me," trombonist Spiegel Willcox who was then 73. The small-group swing performances have plenty of life and more often than not are hard-swinging. ~ Scott Yanow, All Music Guide
''S Wonderful: 4 Giants of Swing'
Release Date 9/29/1992
Tracks 11
Label Flying Fish
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What The Critics Say
For this session, the veteran jazz violinist Joe Venuti is teamed with a top-notch group of country players including mandolinist Jethro Burns, Curley Chalker on steel guitar and guitarist Eldon Shamblin. The repertoire is strictly jazz and these diverse players (who are backed by a conventional rhythm section) find plenty of common ground on the veteran standards, most of them from the pens of Ellington or Gershwin. Venuti sounds inspired by the unusual setting. ~ Scott Yanow, All Music Guide
'Alone at the Palace'
Release Date 1/1/1977
Tracks 19
Label Chiaroscuro
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What The Critics Say
For one of violinist Joe Venuti's final recording sessions, he engages in a set of duets with the talented swing pianist Dave McKenna. The original LP had a dozen performances and the reissue CD adds seven more. In addition to the usual standards, there are several Dixieland tunes (including three versions of "At the Jazz Band Ball") and four Venuti originals. McKenna (with his rolling basslines) was a perfect partner for the violinist, making this set one of the best of Venuti's later years. ~ Scott Yanow, All Music Guide
What The Critics Say
Violinist Joe Venuti's second recording with Italian guitarist Lino Patruno's group follows the initial one by three years. The standards (which include a Gershwin medley) are all quite familiar, but these versions are full of enthusiasm and interesting ideas. Venuti was in top form throughout his final period (1969-77) and seemed to enjoy interacting with the five other horns on this session, not yet reissued on CD. ~ Scott Yanow, All Music Guide
'Never Before...Never Again'
Release Date 1/1/1954
Tracks 13
Label Dobre
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What The Critics Say
Violinist Joe Venuti spent the 1950s and '60s largely in obscurity, and other than his appearances on the Bing Crosby radio programs in the early '50s, not much was heard from him. His only recordings during the period were for tiny or private labels. This 1979 LP released for the first time an unusual date in which Venuti and guitarist Tony Romano performed eight duets in 1954. There are only around 26½ minutes of music on the overly brief set, but the violinist shows throughout the date that he was still in prime form. The duo performs three basic originals and five standards (including "Almost Like Being In Love" and "I Want to Be Happy"); they clearly had a good time during the rare and very spontaneous but coherent session. ~ Scott Yanow, All Music Guide
