Re: [Harp-L] Harmonica on PBS and other stuff

[Cara Cooke <cyberharp@xxxxxxxxx>]

That is cool that you got to play "Foggy Mountain Breakdown" with Steve
Martin. I will have to try to watch it just to see how you approached a
harmonica lead on the tune. I know how I would do it, but you come at it
from some neat directions that are always worth learning from.
 For those who are not aware of it, Steve Martin (comedian) has always been
a good banjo player throughout his career. However, even bluegrassers do not
always know it. Those who have been paying attention, though, are aware of
how well he plays. Since banjo playing is not a big part of what he is known
for, Rob getting the chance to share a banjo tune with Steve Martin on
camera is a rare and wonderful opportunity.
 Cool news, Rob!
 Cara

 On 10/26/05, Rob Paparozzi <chromboy@xxxxxxxxxxxxx> wrote:
>
>
> Just wanted to say thanx to all that responded to me about those recent TV
> appearances and apologize for not getting back to some of you as yet as I've
> been away from the computer and traveling. There may be some more stuff
> coming up with Dolly Parton in November so I'll try and post it when I know.
> I'll be in Istanbul with Bernard Purdie and the Rats in Nov. as well and
> Louisiana w/ my BS&T debut.
>
> Last week I did a gig at Dino BBQ in NYC and John Sebastian stopped in and
> sat in with our trio, he ended up playing the whole night...singing, pickin'
> and harpin'...we even did a few harp duets....he's a super GREAT
> talent!!!!!!!!!
>
> Monday night I did the House of Blues in Cleveland with The Original Blues
> Brothers band and this past weekend played at the Kennedy Center, for the
> Mark Twain Prize Awards show, honoring Actor-Comedian Steve Martin. The show
> I believe will air with plenty of repeats etc...starting NOV 9th on PBS. The
> show is pretty good with some real funny moments and appearances by Larry
> David, Carl Reiner, Tom Hanks, Lily Tomlin, Paul Simon, Eric Idle, Martin
> Short and many clips from the large collection of Steve Martin's film
> career...he even sat in with us on 5 string banjo to play "Foggy Mountain
> Breakdown"!
>
> I'm not sure how it all came out on camera etc...but it was 2 full days of
> rehearsal and shooting. I was hired a Harmonica Player to play in the "House
> band" (The Jimmy Vivino band), we played the guests "on and off stage" like
> most award type shows. It was pretty tuff as we recieved most of the charts
> when we got there and had to sight read them and make corrections as we
> rehearsed...
>
> This was a NICE spot for the Harmonica since the theme was "Americana" in
> line with Mark Twain, there was some great trad. Country and old time Music
> which was fun to "Blow on". Then on Chromatic, we brought out Queen Latifah
> to "Isn't she Lovely" and Claire Danes to "Bluesette" so there was a pretty
> wide variety of styles covered.
>
> I didn't get to work with Diane Keaton as she brought her own pianist and
> did a duet..........
>
> The most fun for me was be featuring on a song on center stage with Randy
> Newman, he did "I Love to see you Smile", he had sent ahead his large band
> orchestrations for this song in advance. Jimmy Vivino the bandleader re-did
> Randy's arrangement for our 'smaller' 8 pc house band. On this song I played
> both Chromatic & Diatonic. Mr. Newman was a pleasure to work with and gave
> us the 'thumbs up' on the arrangement....I'm a HUGE fan of his and it was an
> honor to work beside him. The Band consisted of Tuba/Trumpet,
> Sax/Clar/Piccolo, Gtr/Fiddle, Guitar, Bass, Piano, Drms, Harmonica.
>
> I played about 50-50 between Chromatic and Diatonic. When you do a UNION
> gig like this ALWAYS put in for a DOUBLE if or are playing both and add
> another double for Bass Harmonica or Jaw Harp.
>
> PS.. I didn't get a chance to get this gig into Danny so I thought I'd
> plug it here...
>
> this Friday Night 10/28, I'm going to do a gig with the legendary session
> guitarist David Spinozza at
>
> Trumpets in Montclair, NJ.....two of my favorite songs he (Spinozza)
> played on were:
>
> "Something So Right" (Paul Simon) and "Right Place, Wrong Time" (Dr.
> John)...and David also produced and played on James Taylor's classic
> "Walking Man" record so I'm really excited to share the stage with him.
>
> Looking forward to Bonfiglio's Grand Canyon event in Sept 06....looks like
> it'll be VERY interesting!,-) We'll post more on that event soon.
>
> Best to All,
> Love Peace & Harps
> rob paparozzi
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