Can you name this instrument?
We were in NYC recently and saw 3 concerts (Max Vengerov at Carnegie on Sunday- frankly, a disappointment; Bryn Terfel at Carnegie on Tuesday- just fantastic) and the Vince Giordano Big Band at Birdland on Monday- wonderful and a real hoot. The Giordano Big Band is the house band and plays two shows every Monday evening. They specialize in music from the 20's and 30's and are terrific.That's where we saw this instrument, being played here by Andy Stein (who also plays the sax and fiddle).
The formal name of the instrument is the "Stroh" violin and was commonly used from 1896 to 1929 until electric amplification was more common in recording studios. I spoke to Andy after the show and learned he was a founding member of Commander Cody and His Lost Planet Airmen, a group formed in Ann Arbor Michigan in 1967 before they moved to San Francisco (you may recall their hit "Hot Rod Lincoln". They also opened for the Grateful Dead at Winterland in 1974). Much to my surprise they are releasing a new album shortly! The Giordano Big Band was a pure toe-tapping delight (Birdland is a wonderful small venue and one of my favorites). Andy was also a member of Asleep at the Wheel, a Western Swing band that can really rock with the.best of them. I asked him if "Bob Wills still the King". He replied "damn right"! So, how does the Stroh violin sound? Let's just say it ain't gonna win any awards from audiophiles, but music lovers will certainly appreciate its charms.
We were in NYC recently and saw 3 concerts (Max Vengerov at Carnegie on Sunday- frankly, a disappointment; Bryn Terfel at Carnegie on Tuesday- just fantastic) and the Vince Giordano Big Band at Birdland on Monday- wonderful and a real hoot. The Giordano Big Band is the house band and plays two shows every Monday evening. They specialize in music from the 20's and 30's and are terrific.That's where we saw this instrument, being played here by Andy Stein (who also plays the sax and fiddle).
The formal name of the instrument is the "Stroh" violin and was commonly used from 1896 to 1929 until electric amplification was more common in recording studios. I spoke to Andy after the show and learned he was a founding member of Commander Cody and His Lost Planet Airmen, a group formed in Ann Arbor Michigan in 1967 before they moved to San Francisco (you may recall their hit "Hot Rod Lincoln". They also opened for the Grateful Dead at Winterland in 1974). Much to my surprise they are releasing a new album shortly! The Giordano Big Band was a pure toe-tapping delight (Birdland is a wonderful small venue and one of my favorites). Andy was also a member of Asleep at the Wheel, a Western Swing band that can really rock with the.best of them. I asked him if "Bob Wills still the King". He replied "damn right"! So, how does the Stroh violin sound? Let's just say it ain't gonna win any awards from audiophiles, but music lovers will certainly appreciate its charms.
