Joe Venuti & Earl Hines - Hot Sonatas (1975)

This is an unusual and frequently exciting album of duets between the two great veterans Joe Venuti and Earl Hines; despite both being active for over a half-century, they had never played together before. The interplay between the violinist and the pianist is consistently unpredictable and they communicate quite well on these swing standards (three of which were composed by Hines long ago).
(Allmusic.com)

The more you consider this magical collaboration, the more it amazes. Both Joe Venuti and Earl Hines were already stars of the jazz landscape a full 50 years before they paired up for this elegant 1975 session–Venuti in tandem with guitarist Eddie Lang and Hines with the one and only Louis Armstrong. They were both 72 years old when their label, Chiaroscuro, decided to record an album of duets, marking the very first time the two legends had ever played with each other–on record or otherwise. It's very hard to imagine either of them being any more fertile at any other point in their careers. The interplay is magnificent, the improvisations colorful and pulsating, and the end result is a fascinating testament to the beauty of experience and mutual respect.
(Marc Greilsamer - Amazon.com)

Tracklist:

1. Hot Sonatas (5:13)
2. She's Funny That Way (5:35)
3. The One I Love Belongs To Somebody Else (4:15)
4. Rosetta (3:04)
5. Blues In Thirds (7:32)
6. C-Jam Blues (4:54)
7. Easy To Love (3:59)
8. Fascinating Rhythm (2:09)
9. East Of The Sun (3:10)
10. Love For Sale (3:15)
11. You Can Depend On Me (5:58)
12. Easy To Love (Alt. Take) (4:18)
13. Fascinating Rhythm (Alt. Take) (2:37)
14. East Of The Sun (Alt. Take) (2:51)
15. Love For Sale (Alt. Take) (3:22)
16. C-Jam Blues (Alt. Take) (4:45)

Musicians:

Joe Venuti - violin
Earl Hines - piano

Recorded In New Yor, October 22, 1975
# 12-16: Rehearsals & Alternates From Tv Audio Track