Welcome to our forum. A Message To Our New and Prospective Members . Check out our Forum Rules. Lets keep this forum an enjoyable place to visit.
Currently working on getting badges to show up horizontally. Should hopefully figure that out within a week. Thanks for your patience.








Regulars










@Gordon Shumway mentioned "Black Eyes" (aka., Dark Eyes, Les Yeux Noirs) in another thread - seems to have some interesting history.
Get out your VIOLAS!
Here's a "Dark Eyes" with CELLO & BANJO, mandolin & Dbl Bass - performed by Gipsy Moon!
From Wikipedia:
The lyrics were written by Ukrainian Poet, Yevhen Pavlovych Hrebinka.
BUT, the melody is "Valse hommage", Op. 21 - was originally composed by Florian Hermann, German/Polish Russian - seems he was occasionally described as French/Austrian! (lol)
"Black Eyes" has been described as "Gypsy Romance" and also as a "Cabaret Song", with the most popular version arranged by Italian born, Brittish Composer - Adaigiso Ferraris!
Hot Club USA - FABULOUS "Dark Eyes" - Gypsy Jazz Violin, played by Federico Britos, starts at 00:02:45.
"Dark Eyes" TUTORIAL by Chris Haigh!
Dark Eyes - Gypsy Jazz Backing Track

Regulars










Joe Venuti has been in the back of my mind since I 1st learned about his playing from Paul Anastasio (Western Swing Thread), at (my 1st?) Fiddle Hell. Venuti is an important figure in Jazz violin history - influenced many, including Stéphane Grappelli!
He was pretty amazing on the Dick Cavett Show - at 81 years old!
...so, playing jazz violin keeps you looking young! 🤗
Joe Venuti "Hot Swing Fiddler"- some great recordings from Bing Crosby's Radio Show '52-'53.
I was surprised to learn that Bing Crosby talked quite a bit about Venuti in his book - guess he really liked him (I haven't read the book).
Anyway, I like it & I'm working on it!
Another related thread: What is a STOMP?
If anyone thinks Joe Venuti's Style of Jazz fits better in a different thread, let me know - I was kinda on the fence about it... maybe a tad too 'hot'?

Regulars











Regulars










Cool little film short made to introduce Stéphane Grappelli, Django Reinhardt & their band, 'Quintette du Hot Club de France' to the British public!
I enjoy (and want to play) 'Hot Jazz' AND 'Gypsy Jazz'... Swing, too!
..."the quality of the piece depends on the quality of the interpretation."
I'm having a lot of déjà vu (again), so if I missed this was shared elsewhere, please let me know. Rats, nevermind - found 'part' of it in the Jazz: Chaos, Dreamy or Move You to Dance? Thread.
1 Guest(s)

