CD
This very interesting CD from the collectors' IAJRC label contains previously unknown performances from late 1934. Violinist Joe Venuti is heard with a large studio group that sometimes features such musicians as trumpeter Louis Prima, xylophonist Red Norvo, trombonist Jerry Colonna (yes, the same person as the comedian), guitarist Frank Victor and Larry Binyon on tenor and flute. The music is essentially swing with a few elements of Dixieland and, although some of the performances (which were radio transcriptions) have their share of flubs (these were all first takes), the results on a whole are quite musical and swinging. Scott Yanow, All Music Guide