Chapter 6

The Marconi Club

Most documentation credits the Marconi Club (in London) for initiating and inviting a renowned teacher to enhance, and nurture the club members to study music. Professor Pasquale Venuta could be considered the architect of the music scene in this city in the 1920's.

He emigrated to Canada from Italy (Sicilian born) and came to London to teach at the Marconi club and to organize music and bands in the area. Besides his two sons (Barney and George Venuta) that were musicians (sax players) he can be credited for instructing London's most celebrated musician / band leader... Guy Lombardo. (Carmen and Victor Lombardo were also his students.)

From Pasquale's tutoring, other players became qualified players and joined the professional ranks in various bands on reeds. (Eminent Jazz clarinetist Bert Niosi (Canada's King of Swing) was also one of his students back then.)

The stories about Professor Venuta are legendary. He was part professor/music teacher, disciplinarian and tyrant (read slave driver) this according to his sons. However, he taught in the old fashioned manner which was "carrot" and "stick". One can put a greater emphasis on the "stick" part and it was probably as remembered.

His demeanor was so unrelenting at times, that even his sons quit taking lessons from him. However, his instruction was rooted in sound fundamental principles of music theory and harmony. If you survived his teaching methods (the stick or worse) you can be sure you got a valuable foundation in music.

This was the 1920's and London's humble musical beginnings had this important "instructional" thrust.