He was a character with a strange sense of humor, and he was known as the father of the jazz violin.
This is episode 18 of Caffe Lena: 60 Years of Song. Thank you to Sarah at the Caffe for compiling the list of artists and songs for this feature.
Joe Venuti was said to have been born in Philadelphia. He was classically trained in the violin from a young age. His professional career began in 1924, and continued for 54 years until his death in 1978. He and guitarist Eddie Lang made numerous recordings and had a friendship that lasted from childhood until Eddie Lang's passing in 1933. At one time in the 20's, they were recording with the most prominent of jazz musicians of the day, including Bix Beiderbecke, Frankie Trumbauer and more.
In the 70's Venuti toured Europe and recorded with Earl Hines, George Barnes, Ross Tompkins, Marian McPartland and more. And in 1977, he made a stop at the Caffe.
While Joe Venuti brought the violin to jazz, the NYC based band the Ladybugs brought a unique vocal style, dual trombones, ukelele and a fresh sound to the traditional jazz numbers they play. Formed in 2013, The Ladybugs were created by Martina DaSilva who had no band, but when asked if she did said "yes," and that it was an all-female 1920's band called The Ladybugs. Born upon the imagination of Martina, the band has continued to evolve and thrill audiences around the US and throughout the world.
Caffe Lena: 60 years of Song, a production of WEXT Radio.