David Rubinoff, also known as Dave Rubinoff, (September 13, 1897, Grodno, Russian Empire, now Belarus – October 6, 1986) was a popular violinistwho was heard during the 1930s and 1940s on various radio programs playing his $100,000 Stradivarius violin. He also performed in theaters, clubs and schools, and he gave several concerts at the White House during the 1940s. He was sometimes billed as Rubinoff and his Violin.

Radio 

Rubinoff appeared with his orchestra, dubbed Rubinoff and his Orchestra, becoming a major radio star on The Chase and Sanborn Hour. His radio popularity led to his own show on NBC in 1935-36,

1948 tour 

The Albany Herald gave this account of a Rubinoff personal appearance during the violinist's 1948 tour:

The exuberant musician with his leather-cased violin strode into the lobby of the New Albany Hotel this morning with the poise of a concert musician and the aggressive air of a top-flight general. Mayor James W. “Taxi” Smith, Sam Morris and Bill Buntin of the Exchange Club met the violinist at the door of the elevator. After greeting the Albanians, Mr. Rubinoff began a discussion of cameras and their qualities with Jack Holland, Herald Photographer. At the same time he removed his violin valued at $100,000 from the case. Placing the Stradivarius violin on the shoulder of Mayor Smith, he remarked: “Rubinoff’s violin never played a sour note,” Mayor Smith only gripped and grinned. A “regular guy”, the Russian born violinist immediately conferred with Bill Buntin and Sam Morris of the Exchange Club, sponsor of the concert in the city auditorium today at 8 p.m. and agreed to a complete re-arrangement of his schedule of appearances today. He also made arrangements to appear on the two Albany radio stations, all in a matter of minutes. Mr. Rubinoff is on a tour of the Southeastern part of the nation and will return to California when the tour is over. His wife is expected to join him tonight. Red-headed and from Texas, Mrs. Rubinoff met her husband while she was serving as an usher at a concert which he played in Wichita Falls, Texas, several years ago. When the violinist is on tour he says that he phones his wife every night. His three-year-old son, Rubin Rubinoff, already is studying the violin, said his famous pop. Having the reputation of being a huge eater, the violinist will readily give anyone the hamburger recipe he used to prepare for President Roosevelt when he was a guest at the White House.

Source: Wikipedia