Jazz Violin

[ninified]

hey anyone out there has got any food recommendations for jazz strings material?

[jazzbo]

Ray Nance, "Body and Soul" a UA session reissued on cd by Mighty Quinn Records.

[paul secor]

Duke Ellington's Jazz Violin Session - Ray Nance and Stephane Grappelli on violins, and Svend Asmussen on viola - it doesn't get much better.

[The Magnificent Goldberg]

I love Teddy Edwards' "Blue saxophone", which features Mike White on violin. Very nice stuff.

Mike was with John Handy in the '60s and I recollect him playing very well on a live album Handy made for Columbia.

Other violin stuff I like is

Don & Dewey - Soul Motion/Stretchin' out, a violin/organ duo 45 produced by Sonny Bono in 1965. Don & Dewey were a Doowop duo who decided to learn instruments. Don is "Sugarcane" Harris.

Remo Biondi played violin and guitar in the early '50s with Jimmy Coe. The band's version of "Lady be good" (Delmark443) has the only violin solo I've ever heard that comes close to a honking tenor sax in the hands of a Willis Jackson.

MG

[Dave James]

Although I don't have any specific recommendations, Snuff Smith and Joe Venuti work pretty well for me. I'm also a fan of jazz cello. Oscar Pettiford for one. I think Sam Jones also may play cello on a session or two. Don't care much for Fred Katz.

Grappelli is terrific. He has such a "happy" tone. I don't know how else to describe it. Very infectious.

Up over and out.

[AllenLowe]

"hey anyone out there has got any food recommendations for jazz strings material?"

personally Ilike to eat a burger while listening to jazz violin - others I know prefer vegetarian fare, but I would stay away from the soy dogs, as one double-stop and you will likely regurgitate -

[brownie]

The most creative jazz violin album I have listened to these past few years is the shamefully neglected Atlantic album by Harry Lookofsky 'Stringsville' which seems to have not been reissued.

Lookofsky is accompanied by Hank Jones, Milt Hinton (Paul Chambers on one session) and Elvin Jones.

A masterpiece well worth looking for.

[paul secor]

Other violin stuff I like is

Don & Dewey - Soul Motion/Stretchin' out, a violin/organ duo 45 produced by Sonny Bono in 1965. Don & Dewey were a Doowop duo who decided to learn instruments. Don is "Sugarcane" Harr

Remo Biondi played violin and guitar in the early '50s with Jimmy Coe. The band's version of "Lady be good" (Delmark443) has the only violin solo I've ever heard that comes close to a honking tenor sax in the hands of a Willis Jackson.

MG

"Soul Motion/Stretchin' Out" is a great - no GREAT record!

Remo Biondi also pays some fine violin on Roosevelt Sykes' Raining In My Heart - Delmark 642.

[paul secor]

Remo Biondi played violin and guitar in the early '50s with Jimmy Coe. The band's version of "Lady be good" (Delmark443) has the only violin solo I've ever heard that comes close to a honking tenor sax in the hands of a Willis Jackson.

MG

MG - Do you know what the story is with Delmark 443 - Jimmy Coe: After Hours Joint? I've looked for it - love the 2 Coe tracks on Honkers & Bar Walkers Vol. 1 - but have never come across it. Did it go in and out of print very quickly?

[The Magnificent Goldberg]

Remo Biondi played violin and guitar in the early '50s with Jimmy Coe. The band's version of "Lady be good" (Delmark443) has the only violin solo I've ever heard that comes close to a honking tenor sax in the hands of a Willis Jackson.

MG

MG - Do you know what the story is with Delmark 443 - Jimmy Coe: After Hours Joint? I've looked for it - love the 2 Coe tracks on Honkers & Bar Walkers Vol. 1 - but have never come across it. Did it go in and out of print very quickly?

I don't know. I got my copy in '97, but it was only available on K7 at the time. I've subsequently seen that a CD version was available, but didn't get around to getting it. I seem to remember there were extra tracks). I downloaded the Delmark catalogue in 2003 and it wasn't listed.

Delmark also distributed Jimmy Coe's recent (1994) big band album, "Say what?" which has a couple of live cuts from 1987 featuring Melvin Rhyne. I think that may still be available, 'cos I got mine in 2004. It isn't bad; mostly Indianapolis musicians; Coe playing alto except on the live trax. I think you can get the album off Coe's website (sorry, don't have the address any more). He's still playing (well, he was in 2004); a great survivor.

MG

PS - trivia point: Jimmy Mumford, drummer with Funk Inc, was Coe's drummer until he died, I assume, shortly before "Say What?" was recorded. Funk Inc was an Indianapolis band.

[The Magnificent Goldberg]

"Soul Motion/Stretchin' Out" is a great - no GREAT record!

Fabulous. I read in the '60s that it was Eric Clapton's all time favourite record. Perhaps he's changed his mind since then...

Remo Biondi also pays some fine violin on Roosevelt Sykes' Raining In My Heart - Delmark 642.

Thanks for that info, Paul. Another one to add to the endless list.

MG

[paul secor]

Remo Biondi played violin and guitar in the early '50s with Jimmy Coe. The band's version of "Lady be good" (Delmark443) has the only violin solo I've ever heard that comes close to a honking tenor sax in the hands of a Willis Jackson.

MG

MG - Do you know what the story is with Delmark 443 - Jimmy Coe: After Hours Joint? I've looked for it - love the 2 Coe tracks on Honkers & Bar Walkers Vol. 1 - but have never come across it. Did it go in and out of print very quickly?

I don't know. I got my copy in '97, but it was only available on K7 at the time. I've subsequently seen that a CD version was available, but didn't get around to getting it. I seem to remember there were extra tracks). I downloaded the Delmark catalogue in 2003 and it wasn't listed.

Delmark also distributed Jimmy Coe's recent (1994) big band album, "Say what?" which has a couple of live cuts from 1987 featuring Melvin Rhyne. I think that may still be available, 'cos I got mine in 2004. It isn't bad; mostly Indianapolis musicians; Coe playing alto except on the live trax. I think you can get the album off Coe's website (sorry, don't have the address any more). He's still playing (well, he was in 2004); a great survivor.

MG

PS - trivia point: Jimmy Mumford, drummer with Funk Inc, was Coe's drummer until he died, I assume, shortly before "Say What?" was recorded. Funk Inc was an Indianapolis band.

Jazz Record Mart still has After Hours Joint on cassette - perhaps that's the only format it was released on.

[Hank]

Certainly, as mentioned above, Joe Venuti, Stephane Grappelli, Stuff Smith, Ray Nance, Svend Asmussen. Vassar Clements was known to dip into some jazz playing--he did a good quartet album with John Abercrombie.

If you want to try some 40s-era swing violin, try Eddie South's DARK ANGEL OF THE FIDDLE on Soundies, and Stuff Smith's TRIO-1943 on Progressive.

Claude Williams is an older figure (he started out playing guitar with Basie in the 30s), but he did many recordings right up until his death in 2004. His quintet album with Horace Parlan, CALL FOR THE FIDDLER, on Steeplechase, is highly recommended. And check out Jay McShann's album, THE MAN FROM MUSKOGEE, on Sackville, which features lots of Williams' ebullient fiddling.

The violinist Joe Kennedy did not record a lot, but I recommend anything you can find of his. Look for FALLING IN LOVE WITH LOVE on Black & Blue. Also Billy Taylor's album, WHERE'VE YOU BEEN, is an excellent showcase for Kennedy.

Among contemporary players, Billy Bang comes to mind immediately. His early albums, RAINBOW GLADIATOR, LIVE AT CARLOS 1, and FIRE FROM WITHIN, all on Soul Note, are great. I'd also recommend his more recent recordings on Justin Time. Lots of other excellent contemporary players: Jenny Scheinman, Mark Feldman, Charles Burnham, Regina Carter.

Clarence Gatemouth Brown would also pull out a violin once in a while. Check out his tune "Just Before Dawn."

[JohnS]

I'm not a big fan of jazz violin but the Dizzy Gillespie/Stuff Smith is pretty good.

[The Magnificent Goldberg]

Remo Biondi played violin and guitar in the early '50s with Jimmy Coe. The band's version of "Lady be good" (Delmark443) has the only violin solo I've ever heard that comes close to a honking tenor sax in the hands of a Willis Jackson.

MG

MG - Do you know what the story is with Delmark 443 - Jimmy Coe: After Hours Joint? I've looked for it - love the 2 Coe tracks on Honkers & Bar Walkers Vol. 1 - but have never come across it. Did it go in and out of print very quickly?

I don't know. I got my copy in '97, but it was only available on K7 at the time. I've subsequently seen that a CD version was available, but didn't get around to getting it. I seem to remember there were extra tracks). I downloaded the Delmark catalogue in 2003 and it wasn't listed.

Delmark also distributed Jimmy Coe's recent (1994) big band album, "Say what?" which has a couple of live cuts from 1987 featuring Melvin Rhyne. I think that may still be available, 'cos I got mine in 2004. It isn't bad; mostly Indianapolis musicians; Coe playing alto except on the live trax. I think you can get the album off Coe's website (sorry, don't have the address any more). He's still playing (well, he was in 2004); a great survivor.

MG

PS - trivia point: Jimmy Mumford, drummer with Funk Inc, was Coe's drummer until he died, I assume, shortly before "Say What?" was recorded. Funk Inc was an Indianapolis band.

Jazz Record Mart still has After Hours Joint on cassette - perhaps that's the only format it was released on.

I definitely have a feeling I've seen it listed as a CD, but it could be my memory playing tricks.

MG

[birdanddizzy]

The most creative jazz violin album I have listened to these past few years is the shamefully neglected Atlantic album by Harry Lookofsky 'Stringsville' which seems to have not been reissued.

Lookofsky is accompanied by Hank Jones, Milt Hinton (Paul Chambers on one session) and Elvin Jones.

A masterpiece well worth looking for.

A critically acclaimed and commercially ignored album !

jazzannviolin, follow the recommendations above and then, have a look to this website : www.abar.net. Anthony Barnett is the specialist of strings in jazz.

[paul secor]

Remo Biondi played violin and guitar in the early '50s with Jimmy Coe. The band's version of "Lady be good" (Delmark443) has the only violin solo I've ever heard that comes close to a honking tenor sax in the hands of a Willis Jackson.

MG

MG - Do you know what the story is with Delmark 443 - Jimmy Coe: After Hours Joint? I've looked for it - love the 2 Coe tracks on Honkers & Bar Walkers Vol. 1 - but have never come across it. Did it go in and out of print very quickly?

I don't know. I got my copy in '97, but it was only available on K7 at the time. I've subsequently seen that a CD version was available, but didn't get around to getting it. I seem to remember there were extra tracks). I downloaded the Delmark catalogue in 2003 and it wasn't listed.

Delmark also distributed Jimmy Coe's recent (1994) big band album, "Say what?" which has a couple of live cuts from 1987 featuring Melvin Rhyne. I think that may still be available, 'cos I got mine in 2004. It isn't bad; mostly Indianapolis musicians; Coe playing alto except on the live trax. I think you can get the album off Coe's website (sorry, don't have the address any more). He's still playing (well, he was in 2004); a great survivor.

MG

PS - trivia point: Jimmy Mumford, drummer with Funk Inc, was Coe's drummer until he died, I assume, shortly before "Say What?" was recorded. Funk Inc was an Indianapolis band.

Jazz Record Mart still has After Hours Joint on cassette - perhaps that's the only format it was released on.

I definitely have a feeling I've seen it listed as a CD, but it could be my memory playing tricks.

MG

Just checked with a friend who's in the know about such things, and he believes that it was only issued on LP & cassette, not on CD. The LP had 12 cuts, and perhaps Bob Koester thought that was not enough material for a CD. Too bad. I'd have bought a short timed CD to hear the rest of Jimmy Coe's sides - he was real good. Ah well - guess I can buy the cassette. Can't remember the last time I bought one of those.

[The Magnificent Goldberg]

Remo Biondi played violin and guitar in the early '50s with Jimmy Coe. The band's version of "Lady be good" (Delmark443) has the only violin solo I've ever heard that comes close to a honking tenor sax in the hands of a Willis Jackson.

MG

MG - Do you know what the story is with Delmark 443 - Jimmy Coe: After Hours Joint? I've looked for it - love the 2 Coe tracks on Honkers & Bar Walkers Vol. 1 - but have never come across it. Did it go in and out of print very quickly?

I don't know. I got my copy in '97, but it was only available on K7 at the time. I've subsequently seen that a CD version was available, but didn't get around to getting it. I seem to remember there were extra tracks). I downloaded the Delmark catalogue in 2003 and it wasn't listed.

Delmark also distributed Jimmy Coe's recent (1994) big band album, "Say what?" which has a couple of live cuts from 1987 featuring Melvin Rhyne. I think that may still be available, 'cos I got mine in 2004. It isn't bad; mostly Indianapolis musicians; Coe playing alto except on the live trax. I think you can get the album off Coe's website (sorry, don't have the address any more). He's still playing (well, he was in 2004); a great survivor.

MG

PS - trivia point: Jimmy Mumford, drummer with Funk Inc, was Coe's drummer until he died, I assume, shortly before "Say What?" was recorded. Funk Inc was an Indianapolis band.

Jazz Record Mart still has After Hours Joint on cassette - perhaps that's the only format it was released on.

I definitely have a feeling I've seen it listed as a CD, but it could be my memory playing tricks.

MG

Just checked with a friend who's in the know about such things, and he believes that it was only issued on LP & cassette, not on CD. The LP had 12 cuts, and perhaps Bob Koester thought that was not enough material for a CD. Too bad. I'd have bought a short timed CD to hear the rest of Jimmy Coe's sides - he was real good. Ah well - guess I can buy the cassette. Can't remember the last time I bought one of those.

I like the album a lot. In addition to "Lady be good", there's a follow up to "After hour joint" called "Raid on the after hour joint", which is very amusing.

Jimmy Coe was one of the last of the big honking R&B horns to emerge, just before Ray Charles put them out of work. In a sense, he is a very minor figure. But for me, he exemplifies that era in a way no other tenor man quite does. Every kind of music that was covered by the honkers is in this album. Blues, with male & female vocalists, near-Bop material, jump numbers, sentimental ballads, standards and, of course, the two "After hours joint" raps; there's a little bit of everything in here.

I hope you'll like it.

MG

[ninified]

"hey anyone out there has got any food recommendations for jazz strings material?"

personally Ilike to eat a burger while listening to jazz violin - others I know prefer vegetarian fare, but I would stay away from the soy dogs, as one double-stop and you will likely regurgitate -

hey thanks for the tip!

[ninified]

i've listened to stuff smith, billy bang, grappelli, venuti, ponty, and mark o'connors.

thanks for the info, everyone!

cheers

[jazzbo]

Ah jazzann, you're now ready for RAY NANCE, one of the BEST!

Such a sound!

[AllenLowe]

actually I think I may have misunderstood you - of all the food I've tried, cooked spaghetti makes the best strings for a jazz violin -

Edited May 2, 2006 by AllenLowe

[ninified]

actually, has anyone heard of Regina Carter?

[Bright Moments]

actually, has anyone heard of Regina Carter?

also try sara caswell!!!

[birdanddizzy]

actually, has anyone heard of Regina Carter?

Yes, I saw her in Paris a few months ago. She's really good...! But I do not have albums where she plays.