Past News Articles

Winter 2004 Fiddle Events

SUNDAY, JANUARY 18: DOUBLE BILL SHOW: Paul Anastasio & Ray Wood, "Ball and Chain" (Jody Benjamin and Michael Ball)   At The Fiddle House. $10, doors open at 7:30, show at 8:00, kids OK, BYOB    Paul Anastasio (violin) and Ray Wood (guitar) While jamming at the old-time fiddlers' contest in Weiser, Idaho in 1994, Paul was delighted to encounter the truly exceptional guitarist Ray Wood. Ray was at the time seriously wrapped around an old arch-top guitar and, one would swear, playing notes that hadn't been invented yet. Paul's return to the same swing jam session hours later found Ray wrapped still further around his guitar, which sounded as though it was about to burst into flame. To make a long story short, Paul grabbed his fiddle, they jammed till early morning. Such was the beginning of this remarkable, smokin' musical partnership. Now, ten years later, you'll have the chance to hear Paul and Ray get serious on great swing and western swing standards - they ain't half bad! Ball and Chain (Jody Benjamin and Michael Ball - all the way from Ottawa, Ontario) Jody and Michael go together like mashed potatoes and gravy. Jody Benjamin's singing style is an easy marriage of sincerity and humor that comes from her wit and her love of the old country music she sings. Michael Ball has a sweet tone to his fiddle playing and an ear for melody and space seldom heard from players who were born after 1920. Together these experienced performers make a sound fuller than you'd expect from only two musicians. Steeped in the traditions of old time, country, Cajun, and bluegrass, their song list is varied, interesting, and fun. From the Stanley Brothers to George Jones, from Roger Miller to Gillian Welch, from Hank Williams to Jody Benjamin herself, the songs are great and the delivery lightly outrageous. This duo understands the beauty of a simple style, where melody and groove can carry the music all the way to your soul. When Michael gets going on the Cajun tunes with Jody on the triangle, you can almost taste the jambalaya. The Fiddle House, is located at 5543 34th Ave NE in the Ravenna neighborhood, one block North of the graveyard. Questions? Call 729-3434, or email: fiddlehouse@mindspring.com

January 21 - Feb 25: "Fiddling from Scratch" class. Experimental College beginning fiddle class, with Isla Ross. 6 weeks, Wednesday nights from 7:00 PM to 8:30 PM   Have you always wanted to play the fiddle? Now is your chance! This class will be focused on the absolute beginner, but those who play a little are very much welcome as well. Students must supply their own instrument. Make sure that your fiddle actually works! If you have any questions about the class, your instrument, or private lessons, call Isla at the Fiddle House number, 729-3434. Registration opens Jan. 5th General Registration fee is $10, $5 for UW students. Class tuition is $54, $36 for UW students. *To register, you MUST call ASUW Experimental College at 68-LEARN.* The Fiddle House, is located at 5543 34th Ave NE in the Ravenna neighborhood, one block North of the graveyard. Questions? Call 729-3434, or email: fiddlehouse@mindspring.com

Fall 2003 Fiddle Events

Contemporary Jazz Violinist, Jeremy Cohen, Celebrates Joe Venuti's 100th Anniversary in Concert

Live Concert and Multimedia Presentation at the Historic Herbst Theatre, Wednesday, September 10, 2003 at 8 p.m.

SAN FRANCISCO, CA - August 19, 2003 - On September 10th, contemporary jazz violinist, Jeremy Cohen, will headline a concert at the historic Herbst Theatre celebrating the life and work of Joe Venuti (1903 - 1978). Giuseppe "Joe" Venuti was considered the first great violinist of Jazz. September marks the 100th anniversary of his birth. Cohen and his ViolinJazz Quartet, including Larry Dunlop on piano, Dix Bruce on guitar and Jim Kerwin on bass, will perform works by Joe Venuti and Cohen's ViolinJazz arrangements. Guest artists include noted jazz violinist, Paul Anastasio, Venuti alumnus, bassist Dean Riley, guitarist Paul Mehling, and reed player Jim Rothermel. The concert begins at 8 p.m. A multimedia presentation on Venuti's life will be part of the program. Advance tickets will be available at City Box Office by calling (415) 392-4400 or ordering through www.cityboxoffice.com.

"As the true pioneer of jazz violin and having played with such greats as Eddie Lang, Red Nichols, Jimmy Dorsey and Frank Signorelli of the original Dixieland Jazz Band in the 1920s, Venuti continues to inspire me," says Cohen. Both Venuti and Cohen were classically trained at an early age prior to pursuing their jazz violin careers.

Tierra Caliente Music Project

Paul Anastasio has been studying the music of Mexico's Tierra Caliente for the past seven years. He travels to southern Mexico twice each year for violin lessons from Juan Reynoso, Ángel Tavira, Pancho Alvarado, Zacherias Salmerón and many other fine traditional violinists. Paul is constantly seeking other people who have an interest in joining him on these trips. Tierra Caliente is real heart and soul Mexico, not a tourist region, and the musicians there are wonderful, giving people who care passionately about their music.

Paul also has a program under the auspices of the Seattle Folklore Society, Fiddles for Tierra Caliente, which solicits violins, violin supplies and other instruments which are donated to both the old musicians of the region and to students. We are also seeking financial help to allow us to pay some of the old violinists to teach young people their music. Please contact Paul if you can assist him in any way with this project.