Emma Fisk & James Birkett play Venuti & Lang
The names of Django Reinhardt and Stephane Grappelli are familiar to many as pioneers of string-based jazz. Less universally known are the names Joe Venuti and Eddie Lang, the Italian-American duo who played hot violin and guitar jazz in the 1920s and 30s until cut short by Lang’s untimely death in 1933. Joe Venuti has been referred to as ‘the father of jazz violin' and was a leader in the development of jazz violin techniques and style, while his musical partner Eddie Lang is widely regarded as the first jazz guitar virtuoso.
Bringing together their shared knowledge and love of early jazz styles, Emma Fisk and James Birkett present an entertaining, virtuosic and informative programme of music associated with and inspired by the first great jazz violin and guitar partnership. A typical performance includes compositions by Venuti/Lang such as Cheese & Crackers, Sunshine and Black and Blue Bottom; jazz standards of the 20s and 30s; and specially composed originals that explore the duo's soundworld.
Emma Fisk has attracted critical acclaim for her performances of Venuti’s repertoire at UK jazz festivals and was featured in the musical role of Joe Venuti with The Jazz Repertory Company at Cadogan Hall in the 2015 London Jazz Festival. James has been performing Lang’s repertoire since he was introduced to this music in the late-70s and his transcriptions of Eddie Lang's solo guitar pieces are published by IMP. However it is only now that he has realised his ambition to recreate the duo repertoire of Lang and Venuti in concert in the original duo setting with Emma.
The duo's debut at Newcastle Jazz Cafe in July 2016 featured as one of The Guardian's 'Editor's Picks' and soon after they were selected by Jazz North for their Northern Line touring programme. In March 2018 Emma & James featured in a live broadcast of BBC Radio 3's Jazz Record Requests with Alyn Shipton from Sage Gateshead and later that year Emma was nominated in the prestigious British Jazz Awards.
James and Emma's duo CD, 'Birkett & Fisk play Venuti & Lang' was released in Spring 2018 to critical acclaim.
Bringing together their shared knowledge and love of early jazz styles, Emma Fisk and James Birkett present an entertaining, virtuosic and informative programme of music associated with and inspired by the first great jazz violin and guitar partnership. A typical performance includes compositions by Venuti/Lang such as Cheese & Crackers, Sunshine and Black and Blue Bottom; jazz standards of the 20s and 30s; and specially composed originals that explore the duo's soundworld.
Emma Fisk has attracted critical acclaim for her performances of Venuti’s repertoire at UK jazz festivals and was featured in the musical role of Joe Venuti with The Jazz Repertory Company at Cadogan Hall in the 2015 London Jazz Festival. James has been performing Lang’s repertoire since he was introduced to this music in the late-70s and his transcriptions of Eddie Lang's solo guitar pieces are published by IMP. However it is only now that he has realised his ambition to recreate the duo repertoire of Lang and Venuti in concert in the original duo setting with Emma.
The duo's debut at Newcastle Jazz Cafe in July 2016 featured as one of The Guardian's 'Editor's Picks' and soon after they were selected by Jazz North for their Northern Line touring programme. In March 2018 Emma & James featured in a live broadcast of BBC Radio 3's Jazz Record Requests with Alyn Shipton from Sage Gateshead and later that year Emma was nominated in the prestigious British Jazz Awards.
James and Emma's duo CD, 'Birkett & Fisk play Venuti & Lang' was released in Spring 2018 to critical acclaim.
News
New Dates In for 2020!
We are looking forward to concerts booked in so far for 2020 starting off in Norwich on February 14th at The Garage Arts Centre.
We'll also be visiting St Mary's in Monkseaton and The Lubetkin Theatre in Peterlee.
We'll also be visiting St Mary's in Monkseaton and The Lubetkin Theatre in Peterlee.
Highlights Rural Touring
Emma and James are hitting the road in November for some Rural Touring organised by Highlights North and supported by Jazz North. They will be bring Venuti and Lang to village halls in Levens, Skirwith, Barningham and to the Town Hall in Wark.
2018 British Jazz Awards Nomination!
Emma was astonished and delighted to be nominated in the 2018 British Jazz Awards in the Miscellaneous Instruments section. Many thanks to everyone who voted and to the nominating panel!
'Birkett & Fisk play Venuti & Lang' CD Tour
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Early Summer has got to be one of the most beautiful times of the year in this part of the world so when better to take our new CD on the road across the North of England! We set off from Durham Gala on April 20th with a spot at their very popular monthly lunchtime jazz sessions and will be calling at Horse & BambooTheatre in Rossendale, Darlington Jazz Festival, Wakefield Jazz, Swanland Village Hall, St Mary's Church in Arkengarthdale (Swaledale Festival), Burton-upon-Stather, Epworth, Bishop Burton, and finishing off with a very special night in Sage Gateshead's beautiful Hall 2 with both Birkett & Fisk and Hot Club du Nord on June 20th.
Full details of all the gigs are here Live - we do hope to see you somewhere along the way! |
Radio 3 Jazz Record Requests Live - March 10th
James and I are delighted to be playing live on Radio 3's Jazz Record Requests on March 10th at Sage Gateshead along with Alyn Shipton on bass! The show is broadcasting live from Gateshead at 4pm as part of Radio 3's Free Thinking Festival and we'll be playing two tunes - one at the start and one at the end of the show. We also get to choose a record...its like a mini, jazz Desert Island Discs! This is a free event and you can just turn up on the day - or tune in and enjoy from the comfort of your armchair.
'Birkett & Fisk play Venuti & Lang' CD is here!
The long wait for the new CD is over! James and Emma began recording back in the Spring this year, carrying on through the Summer and now there are 500 copies ready and waiting to go to new homes!
The album features twelve of the tracks that James and Emma have been performing at live shows - Black & Blue Bottom, Sunshine, Sunday, I've Found A New Baby, Eddie's Lament, Raggin' The Scale, A Little Love A Little Kiss, Pardon Me Pretty Baby, Kickin' The Cat, Hiawatha's Lullaby, Cheese & Crackers and My Honey's Lovin' Arms.
CDs will be available at gigs in 2018, but if you can't wait till then to get hold of one, you can order online now and pay either by cheque or Paypal - just go to the newly added 'Shop' page!
Jazz North Ambassador Artists
Emma and James are absolutely delighted to have been chosen by Jazz North to join their Northern Line touring support scheme. Northern venues, promoters and festivals will be able to book the duo at a subsidised fee for performances between September 2017 and December 2018.
More details on how to book are available at www.jazznorth.org/northern-line/northern-line-round-5/
You can now also get gig and news updates by joining our mailing list - just enter your email address below and click subscribe!
More details on how to book are available at www.jazznorth.org/northern-line/northern-line-round-5/
You can now also get gig and news updates by joining our mailing list - just enter your email address below and click subscribe!
"Sparks never fail to fly when you put these two giants of north east music together..."
Steve Tulip, Be-Bop Spoken Here"