All of the major violinists of that day -- Venuti, Smith, Grappelli, Nance, South -- had unmistakable voices, but I would say it takes the fewest bars of all to identify Stuff. He could be viewed as the opposite end of the spectrum to Eddie South, who sounded so refined ... but, then again, Stuff clearly had the classical influence, too, which can be heard in things like Humoresque, Melody in F, To a Wild Rose. It's his frequent -- and masterful -- use of double stops that most distinguishes him from his peers.
I saw him live in Europe. Boy, he could swing as hard as horn players ! The proof that swing can be applied to almost any instrument. It is the feeling of the musician that generates it. It don't mean a thing...(etc.). He had it.
You omitted the best of them all, Danish Jazz violinist Svend Asmussen, who recorded from the early 30s to the 2000s. He played and recorded with Ellington, Django Reinhart, Benny Goodman and many seminal jazz giants. His harmonic approach was sophisticated and swinging. He loved Stuff Smith and recorded with him, and also wrote a beautiful ballad in memory of Stuff. He was one of two jazz violinists who never played a note out of tune. No violinist in history ever matched the variety, depth and breadth of his recodings.
En France, nous avons d'excellents violonistes de Jazz qui, sciemment, ont renoncé au classique: Jean-Luc Ponty, Didier Lockwood, Dominique Pifarély, Scott Tixier...Stuff Smith swingue comme un démon sur ce morceau.
Great Stuff! What a swing! I had the very enjoyable LP Stuff and Steff,where Smith teamed with Grappelli and you could hear how these two genius aproached to their instrument each one in his special way.
Stuff was awesome. Great recordings on Verve. As far as lesser celebrated jazz violinists, Eddie South was the genius in my opinion. Beautiful tone, effortless technique, intonation, and great swinging. Some early recordings with Grappelli and Django are treasures--their take on Bach's double violin concerto is priceless--but he also did a lot of solo stuff that just doesn't get heard.
Absolutely phenomenal! He swings like an express train at full throttle. I have an lp with this band, his solos were kind of set pieces, like Illinois Jacquet’s, but when it swings this hard, who cares?
Hey Bret thanks for posting this! There is certainly a reason may called him the "mad genius of the Violin"! Many have swung as hard as him but not like him, with his unique feel! I often feel he was on the cusp of developing a system akin to Barry Harris' 6th diminished on the violin with his mastery of double stops. As a Jazz Violinist myself I've found a wealth of inspiration from him and Jean Luc Ponty! Both adapted Bebop language to the instrument and helped to push the violin out of being viewed as "just a swing" instrument.
J'oubliais. Ray Nance qui n'a pas pu devenir violoniste concertiste et jouait du violon dans le grand orchestre de Duke Ellington. Tant pis pour le classique.
What don’t you know WOW!!! It was interesting to hear you mention Joe Venti a friend of my Parents.He used to hang at Seattles hippest Italian Restaurant the Power Palace of Judges,Jewish Gamblers Priests,Attorneys,Catholics,Bookies, and shhh probably some of the Boys. They always had his Music on in the Bar. It was home to everyone who was someone for years. Great Player. As you recited in your list I knew Venuti would be mentioned. Please tell us more about you and times as it relates to music. I Respect and learn from your program it’s definitely a Street Course in the texture of humanity. Michael
Say Hey Bret, thak you for putting this out there. What swing! Stuff could really swing. Question: Do you still have that pocket trumpet? Remember the sessions at the old radio station on W.46th St. I was there and played. I'm in the way back machine now.
Stuff Smith avait largement le niveau pour être un grand violoniste classique mais il était Noir. Comme Charles Mingus, Nina Simone. Tant pis pour le classique.
All of the major violinists of that day -- Venuti, Smith, Grappelli, Nance, South -- had unmistakable voices, but I would say it takes the fewest bars of all to identify Stuff. He could be viewed as the opposite end of the spectrum to Eddie South, who sounded so refined ... but, then again, Stuff clearly had the classical influence, too, which can be heard in things like Humoresque, Melody in F, To a Wild Rose. It's his frequent -- and masterful -- use of double stops that most distinguishes him from his peers.
Christian Howes, Didier Lockwood (RIP), Jean Luc Ponty...some of my favourites...
Ponty was great.
This is excellent. For the record, Claude "Fiddler" Williams (Kansas City) was amazing, & a favorite.
What a player! The face of jazz violin to boot - wonderful - came across him in the JATP 1957 Concertgebow and it blew my mind. Joy, joy, joy!!
One of the true greats of this music that sadly, most people just don't know about.
Thank,Bret🌹🌹🌹🌹First heard Stuff on the Nat Cole recording. Nice to finally see him.
I saw him live in Europe. Boy, he could swing as hard as horn players ! The proof that swing can be applied to almost any instrument. It is the feeling of the musician that generates it. It don't mean a thing...(etc.). He had it.
You can't forget Michel Urbaniak from Poland. He plays like Bird on Violin.
You omitted the best of them all, Danish Jazz violinist Svend Asmussen, who recorded from the early 30s to the 2000s. He played and recorded with Ellington, Django Reinhart, Benny Goodman and many seminal jazz giants. His harmonic approach was sophisticated and swinging. He loved Stuff Smith and recorded with him, and also wrote a beautiful ballad in memory of Stuff. He was one of two jazz violinists who never played a note out of tune. No violinist in history ever matched the variety, depth and breadth of his recodings.
Stuff Smith was great, had several of his records. Venutti as pointed out helped get it started and was around forever. Grapelli another.
En France, nous avons d'excellents violonistes de Jazz qui, sciemment, ont renoncé au classique: Jean-Luc Ponty, Didier Lockwood, Dominique Pifarély, Scott Tixier...Stuff Smith swingue comme un démon sur ce morceau.
Great Stuff! What a swing! I had the very enjoyable LP Stuff and Steff,where Smith teamed with Grappelli and you could hear how these two genius aproached to their instrument each one in his special way.
Amazing
So much fun! 🤣👏🏾👏🏾👏🏾
Stuff was awesome. Great recordings on Verve. As far as lesser celebrated jazz violinists, Eddie South was the genius in my opinion. Beautiful tone, effortless technique, intonation, and great swinging. Some early recordings with Grappelli and Django are treasures--their take on Bach's double violin concerto is priceless--but he also did a lot of solo stuff that just doesn't get heard.
Absolutely phenomenal! He swings like an express train at full throttle. I have an lp with this band, his solos were kind of set pieces, like Illinois Jacquet’s, but when it swings this hard, who cares?
Hey Bret thanks for posting this! There is certainly a reason may called him the "mad genius of the Violin"! Many have swung as hard as him but not like him, with his unique feel! I often feel he was on the cusp of developing a system akin to Barry Harris' 6th diminished on the violin with his mastery of double stops. As a Jazz Violinist myself I've found a wealth of inspiration from him and Jean Luc Ponty! Both adapted Bebop language to the instrument and helped to push the violin out of being viewed as "just a swing" instrument.
J'oubliais. Ray Nance qui n'a pas pu devenir violoniste concertiste et jouait du violon dans le grand orchestre de Duke Ellington. Tant pis pour le classique.
What don’t you know WOW!!! It was interesting to hear you mention Joe Venti a friend of my Parents.He used to hang at Seattles hippest Italian Restaurant the Power Palace of Judges,Jewish Gamblers Priests,Attorneys,Catholics,Bookies, and shhh probably some of the Boys. They always had his Music on in the Bar. It was home to everyone who was someone for years. Great Player. As you recited in your list I knew Venuti would be mentioned. Please tell us more about you and times as it relates to music. I Respect and learn from your program it’s definitely a Street Course in the texture of humanity. Michael
Thanks for taking the time to write. Big Joe Venuti fan here.
A mo fo ?! Lol.
When Stefan played in UK he shook everyone's hand before going in .. that's unknown right . ✌🏼
Great video Brett. Thanks for sharing it. The subject of "jazz violinists" does bring to mind the late Michael White...
The Fourth Way, with Mike Nock and Michael White!
@@JazzVideoGuy: th-cam.com/video/O01G51WLmLU/w-d-xo.html
“Duke Ellington’s Jazz Violin Sessions” is an interesting recording-with Grappelli, Nance, and Asmussen.
Yes, that is a fascinating recording.
Claude Williams for another great one too, Michał Urbaniak, another bad ass too.
You know your violinists.
Stuff was unique and unforgettable -but, you have to mention John Frigo
Love Johnny Frigo. I wrote some liner lines for one of his releases on Chesky Records.
John Blake came closest to Stuff Smith as far as swing IMO, may they both rest in power👏🏽👏🏽👏🏽🎻🎻🎻
Agreed.
Stuff was the greatest Jazz violinist without question! Next is Joe Venuti imo!
I think he is playing viola on this. The band is totally on the same dance floor as Stuff!
definitely violin but the amplification boosts the bass frequencies leading to it being difficult to tell.
Described as 'Brutal Swing' by Nigel Kennedy.
That works
Thanks. I was very impressed and the enfant terrible has the palmarés to say it. @@JazzVideoGuy
Mads Tolling is another pretty great jazz violinist
thanks, will check him out
@@JazzVideoGuy Mads Tolling Quartet, not his solo work
Say Hey Bret, thak you for putting this out there. What swing! Stuff could really swing. Question: Do you still have that pocket trumpet? Remember the sessions at the old radio station on W.46th St. I was there and played. I'm in the way back machine now.
My God, I'm sorry I don't recognize your name. No, the pocket trumpet is long gone. But the memories linger, obviously.
Billy Bang got close !!!
Yes!
Forgot Eddie South
Stuff Smith avait largement le niveau pour être un grand violoniste classique mais il était Noir. Comme Charles Mingus, Nina Simone. Tant pis pour le classique.
Billy Bang was a great player. Check out Rainbow Gladiator LP/
Yes, I will.
Jerry goodman!?
oh yeah, heard him with Mahavishnu
the answer is NO. Right up there with Fats Waller among the HARDEST swingers EVER.
yes!