Wild Cat (1927 song)
Encyclopedia
Wild Cat is a song composed and performed by jazz guitarist Eddie Lang
and violinist Joe Venuti, first recorded in New York, January 24, 1927
. In the electronic edition of Katharine Rapoport,Violin For Dummies (2010), it is recommended listening "to really get your head (and ears) around jazz music".
It was something of a showcase piece for Venuti's talent as a violinist. His performance has been held to "offer some good examples of bow rockin'."
In the words of one critic:
Andy Stein
is also noted for a virtuoso performance of the same piece.
A further recording of "Wild Cat" by Stan Kurtis and Dick Hyman, which came out on the Pro Jazz label in 1987, was well received.
Eddie Lang
Eddie Lang was an American jazz guitarist, regarded as the Father of Jazz Guitar. He played a Gibson L-4 and L-5 guitar, providing great influence for many guitarists, including Django Reinhardt.-Biography:...
and violinist Joe Venuti, first recorded in New York, January 24, 1927
1927 in music
-Events:* January 8 - Alban Berg's Lyric Suite is premiered in Vienna.* April 21 - Electric re-recording of George Gershwin's Rhapsody in Blue by Paul Whiteman's Orchestra directed by Nathaniel Shilkret, with Gershwin at the piano....
. In the electronic edition of Katharine Rapoport,Violin For Dummies (2010), it is recommended listening "to really get your head (and ears) around jazz music".
It was something of a showcase piece for Venuti's talent as a violinist. His performance has been held to "offer some good examples of bow rockin'."
In the words of one critic:
"Wild Cat" illustrates the salient features of Venuti's unique violin styling. He utilized the full range of the violin, from low rich tones to the high, ethereal sounds near the bridge. [. . .] The melody of the popular song "Wild Cat" was completely transformed through Venuti's ingenious improvisation on its underlying chord structure.
Andy Stein
Andy Stein
Andy Stein is a saxophone and violin player in the United States best known for his appearances with the country rock band Commander Cody and His Lost Planet Airmen. He is also known for the Guy's All-Star Shoe Band on the radio show "A Prairie Home Companion" and the movie. He has played on a...
is also noted for a virtuoso performance of the same piece.
A further recording of "Wild Cat" by Stan Kurtis and Dick Hyman, which came out on the Pro Jazz label in 1987, was well received.
CD releases
- Joe Venuti: Violin Jazz. Kazoo, 1990. ASIN: B000000G7Z
- Joe Venuti: Pretty Trix. Iajrc Records, 2000. ASIN: B000003KW7
- Eddie Lang & Joe Venuti: New York Sessions 1926-1935. JSP RecordsJSP RecordsJSP Records is a British record label, founded in 1978 by John Stedman , releasing recordings by blues musicians such as Professor Longhair, Buddy Guy, Jimmy Witherspoon, Louisiana Red and Eddie "Cleanhead" Vinson. The label is based in London, England.JSP now predominantly releases remastered CDs...
, 2003. ASIN: B00009XH3X - The Best of Jazz Violins. LRC Ltd., 2009. ASIN: B000008CHD