Big Bands Past

The Venuta Family Orchestras

The patriarch of the Venuta family, Prof. Pasquale Venuta, was born in Sicily in 1881and displayed an early talent for music on all instruments. He attended Milan Conservatory of Music and after graduating led an adventurous life all over the world including joining the British Navy and becoming Director of Music at all naval bases of the China Station, as well as forming bands in Japan and Russia.

In 1914 the Italian community association in London Ontario (later to become the Marconi Club) was in need of a musical director to form and organise its brass band. One of the members, a Sicilian named Lombardo, remembered Pasquale Venuta and invited him to apply for the post. He was immediately hired. Pasquale settled down very quickly and expanded to teach music and form bands in the area. His pupils included the Lombardo brothers, (Guy, Carmen and Liebert), who became world famous, Bert Niosi who became famous nationally, and many others. He was stated to be a tough teacher but his methods paid off. In addition to teaching he was also composing and in 1915 he composed a march "Hydro-Electric March" in honour of Sir Adam Beck.

By this time Pasquale Venuta had two sons Barnie and George, both of whom were talented instrumentalists who went on to become full-time musicians and leading their own bands. The family remained in London until 1924 when they moved to Buenos Aires. Their stay there was short however and they returned shortly afterwards to London Ont. where he resumed teaching and added a studio in Windsor which was very successful. He remained teaching until his death in 1935.

Bernardino (Barnie) Venuta was born in 1912 and came to London Ontario with his father in 1914. He learned his music in the family home, attended London's De La Salle High School and was in the school cadet band playing bass drum. Contempories in the band included John Niosi drums and Tony Furanna both of whom were to become famous musicians. Barnie became very proficient on clarinet and sax and played with groups in Windsor before moving in the early thirties to play in Montreal and Toronto most notably with the Niosi brothers. Returning to London he played in the Alb Warren band and then in 1947 formed his own group to play in the Wedgewood Room at Hotel London where he remained until 1950. From 1951 until 1963 he led the band at The Seven Dwarfs playing every Friday and Saturday nights. Like his father Barnie had a music studio at his home and taught music. He played in concert bands including London Mocha Shrine Concert band from 1978 - 1999. He was also a life long member and Past President of the Musicians Union. Barnie played with Ron Shadbolt's New Modernaires until well into his eighties. Barnie died May 2nd 2000.

George Venuta - In preparation

Tony Venuta - In preparation

Audio

1 - Medley #1 - Barney Venuta & the Hotel London Orchestra.

2 - Medley #2 - Barney Venuta & the Hotel London Orchestra.

Personnel :

Saxes: Barnie Venuta, George Venuta, Phil Sparling, Bill Petch
Trumpet: Art Sowden
Rhythm: Max Hopper drums; Mel Oatridge guitar; Murray Hopper piano; Gene Buttery bass.

Photographs

Click here for slide show of the Venuta Orchestras