by David Witter

Known as "the mad fiddler from Philly," Joe Venuti was famous for his drinking, gambling and practical jokes. More importantly, he and Eddie Lang (born Salvatore Massaro) changed the sound of jazz through the introduction of the violin and the lead guitar to its repertoire.

Venuti grew up as the child of a recent immigrant in the crowded urban tenements of South Philadelphia. As a young man, Venuti found two ways to escape the squalor of the slums: humor and music.

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Source: Italian American Voice