Search - Jeremy Cohen ViolinJazz and Friends Celebrate Joe Venuti 100 Years on DVD

Great playing - poor camera angles and cuts

D. Swenson | America's Heartland | 09/03/2005

(4 out of 5 stars)

"I play jazz violin myself, and I got this DVD to see and hear a great player. Jeremy Cohen certainly is that! The backing band is also excellent. Often, though, we don't get to see the guitarist during a guitar solo. I don't like DVD concerts where they show extreme closeups of performers' faces, so much that you can't even see them play, so this DVD is kind of a relief - more long shots, not quick cuts from one thing to another. This DVD is worth it to me just because the performances, especially "In A Sentimental Mood" are so beautiful. Just don't expect the camera to always show you a close up of whoever has the solo."

Jeremy Cohen tribute to Joe Venuti's 100th Birthday is fanta

Richard Brooks | 09/19/2005

(5 out of 5 stars)

"If you are a fan of jazz violin, Joe Venuti, or Jeremy Cohen, this DVD is for you. This is your chance to see a movie of Joe Venuti performing live!

Jeremy performs material from Joe Venuti's repertoire flawlessly with his usual flare and virtuosity. His special guests are virtuosos in their own right and worth the price of admission!

I especially enjoyed Paul Anastasio's version of the "4-string Joe" violin technique of taking apart the bow and playing with the bow hair over the strings and stick under the fiddle thereby allowing one to play all 4 strings simultaneously. Amazing, and Paul does an outstanding job!

Included on the DVD is a priceless collection of historical photos of Joe's personal and professional life, and one movie of Joe performing live, and another movie of him relaxing in his home, making himself a cup of coffee, smoking a cigarette, and engaged in deep thought. The photos and the silent home movie are accompanied by the band and guests.

The Violin Jazz Quartet includes Jeremy Cohen (violin), Larry Dunlap (piano), Dix Bruce (guitar), and Jim Kerwin (bass). Special guests of the evening included Paul Anastasio (violin and student of Joe Venuti), Dean Reilly (bass), Paul Mehling (guitar), and Robert Young (bass saxophone).
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