"Stuff" Smith was an African-American violin jazz artist born in Ohio. He became popular as a musician when he worked with Alphonso Trent's orchestra in the 1920s. His first recording was with this orchestra in 1928. He used his bow forcefully and developed a swing-era rhythm in his playing. He is known for an original bowing style that sounded similar to a horn.
Joe Venuti started as a classical-trained Italian violinist and eventually switched to jazz. He recorded with Paul Whiteman, Bing Crosby, the Dorseys and famous personalities of the 1920s. His recording with guitarist Eddie Lang of "Venuti's Blue Four" is considered a classic of jazz. He is thought of as one of the three top violinists in the pre-bop era.
Important in the 1920s was Stephane Grappelli, a European, who began by teaching himself jazz violin. He later studied at the Paris Conservatoire. He played violin in Parisian courtyards as a "busker" where people threw money at him from their apartments. He played gigs in movie theaters, dancing schools and hotel resorts. In 1929, he made his first recording. Later that year, he met Django Reinhardt, a Belgian gypsy guitarist. Together they formed the Quintet of the Hot Club of France.
Eddie South, a black violinist, began playing jazz in the 1920s. In 1928, he studied at the Paris Conservatoire. He incorporated gypsy melodies as well as swing versions of European classics as part of jazz improvisation. Originally, he was recognized more in Europe than in America, recording in 1923 with Jimmy Wade's Moulin Rouge orchestra. He subsequently became famous in Chicago jazz clubs in the late 1920s.
Leopold Auer, a Hungarian classical violinist, ran a prestigious violin school and taught some of the most noted violinists such as Heifitz, Milstein and Elman. He concentrated on building his skills on the technical aspects of the violin. He performed in Carnegie Hall for the second time in 1920 at age 78.
Another well-known violinist was Mischa Elman, a Russian-American violinist, who was considered a child prodigy in the 1920s. He was nicknamed "the star of melody" because his melodious tone made the violin "sing."
Jascha Heifitz was a Russian classical violinist whose career began in the 1920s. At the end of World War I, he was considered the "King of Violinists," a title he maintained for many years. Violin students in the 192's aimed at imitating his technical ability.
Yehudi Menuhin, an American violinist, was born in New York and became famous for his talent as a young child. In 1927 at age 11, he recorded more often with the greatest orchestras and conductors than any other violinist. He was also admired for his technical artistry as well as his superior tone.
Fritz Kreisler, born in Vienna, made gramophone records in the 1920s. His tone had a special quality easily recognized as a Kreisler recording. He was well-liked and idolized by his fellow violinists.