| FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE | Contacts: Dana Scoby, Tel/Fax: (408) 353-5720 Foster Grimm, Office: (914) 769 3691 Fax: (914) 769-5407 |
NEW YORK, NY - March 1, 2005 - Video Artists International (www.vaimusic.com), has announced the upcoming DVD release of Jeremy Cohen's "Joe Venuti 100th Anniversary" concert performed in 2003 at the historic Herbst Theatre in San Francisco. The DVD will be distributed by VAI at a suggested retail price of $29.95, in late Spring 2005. Produced by elfenworks (www.elfenworks.com), the DVD will be available through retail outlets worldwide, as well as from major on-line vendors.
"It's an honor to have VAI release this very special DVD as it marks an important milestone in the evolution of jazz violin and Joe Venuti's contribution to the jazz violin style," says Cohen. "Video Artists International President Ernest Gilbert adds, "We are pleased to release this DVD and hope that all jazz music aficionados will add it to their collections. As a superb violinist himself, Cohen does a wonderful and accurate job presenting Venuti's true form and function as one of the first recognized jazz violinists of our time."
Celebrating the life and work of pioneer jazz violinist Giuseppe "Joe" Venuti (1903-1978), the 100th Anniversary DVD is a visual feast of priceless video footage and stills of Venuti at work, integrated into a live performance by Jeremy Cohen's ViolinJazz Quartet. It is truly a production to be praised for its thoughtfulness, quality and production value and well deserves to be placed as an historical marker in all music libraries.
Cohen and his ViolinJazz Quartet, including Larry Dunlap on piano, Dix Bruce on guitar and Jim Kerwin on bass, perform works by Joe Venuti and Cohen's ViolinJazz arrangements. Guest artists include noted jazz violinist, Paul Anastasio, and Venuti alumnus, bassist Dean Riley and guitarist Paul Mehling.
About Joe Venuti
As the true pioneer of jazz violin, Joe Venuti played with such greats as Eddie Lang, Red Nichols, Jimmy Dorsey and Frank Signorelli of the original Dixieland Jazz Band in the 1920s. Originally trained in the classical style at an early age, Venuti developed his own purist jazz violin style that continues to inspire jazz violinists around the world.
About Jeremy Cohen
Jeremy Cohen is a refreshing, traditional-yet-contemporary violinist whose performances embrace both jazz and classical sensibilities and encompass a broad range of other musical styles. From symphony orchestras to television and motion picture soundtracks, Cohen's live performances, recordings, repertoire and arrangements are highly regarded by critics, musicians and audiences alike. His eclectic style, honed by more than 20 years of performance, reflects his training with Itzhak Perlman and his admiration for violinists ranging from Fritz Kreisler to Joe Venuti. For more information on Jeremy Cohen, including his 2005-2006 concert schedule and recent recordings, visit www.violinjazz.com.
-end-
###