Rob Paparozzi

This page was updated on 5/9/12

New Jersey-based frontman, singer, & harmonica player Rob Paparozzi has been a blues performer since 1967. But Rob is far from being strictly a blues musician. In fact, he's at home playing a wide range of music, ranging from rock to blues to jazz to pop. This versatility is reflected in the long and remarkably diverse list of major artists Rob has worked with, including B.B.King, Dr. John, Bruce Springsteen, Whitney Houston, Carole King, Roberta Flack, Culture Club, Cyndi Lauper, Randy Newman, Jimmy McGriff, and James Galway.

Rob has toured the world with the “Original Blues Brothers Band”, featuring guitar legend Steve Cropper and special guest Eddie Floyd and also as Frontman-Lead Singer for the Legendary "Blood Sweat and Tears"

Rob’s own band The Hudson River Rats features Ed Alstrom, John Korba, Chris Eminizer, Bernard Purdie, George Naha and Bailey Gee. The shows are Local in NY-NJ as well as International, Europe & Asia. In 2008 Rob worked on his debut CD which features many varied styles and “special guests”. In 2009 the CD has been getting lots of airplay worldwide and terrific acclaim in the press. Special thanks to Bob Putignano, Gary Walker, Michael Bourne and Rich Skelly for having Rob on their radio shows in 2009 WBGO, WFDU, WRSU and Roxy Perry on KCOR

More Reviews and Press releases!

“Please take the time to listen to Rob’s new album. I’m positive you will be amazed if you have not heard him before.”

--Steve Cropper (Booker T. & the MGs, original Blues Brothers Band)

“Rob’s CD sounds amazing and his performances are over-the-top killing!”

--Will Lee (David Letterman, Fab Faux)

Frank-John Hadley

Writer:Downbeat,Grove Press writes:

Native New Yorker Rob Paparozzi is a special artist who sings and plays harmonica with just the right blend of verve and empathy on his first feature album Etruscan Soul—now available on the Honeydripper Records label. The front man with the legendary, globetrotting, Blood, Sweat & Tears and the popular Tri-State area Hudson River Rats is joined on this swinging and intelligent rock-blues-soul-jazz-r&b release by world-class talent. The supporting vocalists are the one-and-only Phoebe Snow, Vanesse Thomas, and Antonique Smith. Among the stellar sideman are guitarists Leo Nocentelli (from the Meters), Chuck Rainey, Hugh McCracken, and George Naha; bassists Harvey Brooks and Will Lee; keyboardists John Korba and Ed Alstrom; and drummers Bernard “Pretty” Purdie, Chris Parker, and Shawn Pelton. Paparozzi says in the liner notes that these “skilled musicians help me paint the muse deep inside my ‘Etruscan Soul’.” It’s way more than a snappy album title. The phrase is defined throughout the 15 songs of the recording by the depth and clarity of the man’s singing and his harmonica playing. The special you-know-it-when-you-hear-it spirit—yes, Etruscan Soul—that motors Paparozzi’s music traces back many centuries to his family’s origins in ancient Etruria, the west-central Italian country whose great civilization was eclipsed by Rome in the third century B. C. Talk about good genes. Combining soulfulness and musical imagination, Paparozzi exhibits a natural ability to personalize songs that rate among his all-time favorites. He has chosen carefully from the treasure-troves of classic pop, rock, blues-rock, and jazz: the Beatles’ “Ticket To Ride,” Cream’s “Strange Brew,” Stephen Stills’ “Love the One You’re With,” Randy Newman’s “I Think It’s Going To Rain Today,” Sting’s “She’s Too Good for Me,” Steely Dan’s “Peg,” and Elton John & Bernie Taupin’s “Border Song.” The man knows his way around top-grade blues and r&b songbooks too, revamping in his distinctive way Delbert McClinton’s “Monkey Around,” Keb’ Mo’’s “Keep It Simple,” Allen Toussaint’s “I’m Gone,” Little Willie John’s “Let Them Talk,” Arthur Adams’s “Love and Peace” (covered years back by Quincy Jones, the Jazz Crusaders, etc.) and the standard “Peg O’ My Heart.” There’s also a fresh, inventive arrangement of the Quincy Jones film soundtrack number that Ray Charles interpreted so stirringly, “In the Heat of the Night,” plus the jazz chestnut “Body and Soul.”

"Checkout Rob's Reverbnation Site"

http://njjazzlist.com/

SUMMER 2012

Pat Guadagno @Bobfest

"Bobfest: @ The Basie Theatre""
will be held Thursday, May 24th 8pm at The Count Basie Theatre in Red Bank, NJ.
Jersey Shore troubadour Pat Guadagno host this amazing event every year, ROB will perform some classic Dylan songs in a very special setting with some VERY special guests!
Now in its 15th year, Bobfest is a celebration of the music of one of the greatest singer/songwriter/poets this country has yet produced. Featuring singer and guitar player Pat Guadagno and his band Tired Horses, plus special guests, The Two River Times calls Bobfest, "One of Red Bank’s better musical moments and hipper traditions.” The NY Times calls Pat, “A well travelled Troubadour with a remarkable repertoire,” and his vast repertoire of Dylan songs (last year 70 songs were performed for Dylan’s 70th birthday) will bring the Basie stage alive.
For Tix and info Click Here:

"Rob Jamming with Les Paul in NYC"

Rob's Mini Blog

Here is Etruscan Soul's LATEST review!
excerpted from Blues Revue magazine issue #126 Nov/Dec 2010
Rob Paparozzi Etruscan Soul - Honeydripper Records
Singer and harmonica virtuoso Rob Paparozzi applies considerable musical skills to a recording wish list on his debut CD, and the sequence and pacing of his choices is as engaging as their masterful presentation. Named for the land where the roots of his family tree took up their artistic sensibilities, ETRUSCAN SOUL takes a fresh look at some familiar tunes from the recent and not so recent past, shining them all up with Mediterranean intelligence and humor. His cohorts on the record, including John Korba, George Naha, Ed Alstrom, Bailey Gee and the great drummer Bernard Purdie, all from Paparozzi's old band The Hudson River Rats, make it sound easy and fun. From the harmonica hook that opens the Beatles "Ticket to Ride," the band's irresistible swing reminds you what a great song it is while Paparozzi adds his own flourishes, hinting at jazz classics, then heading off in another direction. His John Lennon tribute gets support from Naha on guitar and Alstrom on Hammond organ. On Allen Toussaint's "I'm Gone," he unveils a charming vocal style along with the harp chops, anchored by Will Lee on Bass and Chris Parker on Drums.
-Kay Cordtz

Rob's Broadway, movie, and television credits are also extensive, including: shows Big River and The Will Rogers Follies; films Flirting With Disaster and Ride; TV programs the Bill Cosby Show, CBS Early Show and the David Letterman Show, appearances in 2006 with Dolly Parton and George Jones on Conan O'Brien and David Letterman's LATE SHOW

TV Commercials. jingles for Scotch 3M BLUE tape, KFC, Pizza Hut, Maxwell House, Wendy's, Lincoln Mercury, Stouffers, Dodge, Ford, Coke,Pepsi, Dominos, Tylenol, etc.

The bottom line is, even if you haven't heard of Rob Paparozzi before, you've probably heard--and enjoyed--his work!

Rob's Broadway Credits are extensive, Starting Off Broadway in 1977 in Richard Hobson's "Memphis is Gone" Then subbed on Roger Miller's "Big River" for the late Donny Brooks on BROADWAY and had his own chair working directly with Cy Coleman on The Harmonica Book for "The Will Rogers Follies" starring Keith Carradine on Broadway in 1991.

Paparozzi plays for Leukemia
This June 2012

in Bethlehem, PA
(Benefit for Leukemia and Lymphoma Society)

WHEN: Sunday June3rd, 2012 6pm

WHERE:
STARTER'S CLUBHOUSE 400 Illicks Mill Rd Bethlehem, PA
call 610-625-0060 for info and tix

THE BIG BLOW OUT

Is the name of this benefit as it will be an all day event of local BLUES bands with Harmonica Players and monie will benefit this great cause.

Rob Paparozzi's backup band for the event:

Brian Bortz, Bass
June Thomas, Keys
Tony Diecidue, Drums

Special Guest: Bill Washer, Guitar

. THE BIG BLOW OUT: a benefit for the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society -- featuring some of the region's greatest harmonica led bands, including: AJ Silverberg, Friar's Point, Mad Dog and Blues Night Out, Midnight Shift, The James Supra Blues Band and headliner, Rob Paparozzi (former front man of Blood Sweat and Tears and a member of the Original Blues Brother Band).

Visit the event on FACEBOOK here:

Hope to see you there! :-)

Here's a cool gig, Rob Paparozzi do a duo with JB Kline at Havana Bar in New Hope, PA on:

Sunday Nite May 27th, 2012
SONS OF CREAM

feat: the sons of Jack Bruce, Ginger Baker and John Entwhistle

Click here for Tix

OTHER UPCOMING JUNE gigs

(see calender for details)

6/2 Red Bank Riverfest
6/7 Rob & Alstrom @ Robin's Nest
6/14 Rob & Rats @ Windsor
6/15 Rob & Rats @ Robin's Nest
6/24 Rob's Duo for JSJBF
6/25 Rob & Karwan at Dutchmans

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Click here to see the latest ETRUSCAN SOUL CD review in:

Blues Blast Magazine

Rob’s New DEBUT CD “Etruscan Soul” is now available and features Special Guests: Phoebe Snow, Harvey Brooks, Will Lee, Chuck Rainey, Bernard Purdie, Leo Nocentelli, Shawn Pelton and Hugh McCracken.

Click the picture below to order from CD Baby

..................................
Click here for Paypal*

*just pay $20 to chromboy@earthlink.net and the CD will ship the next day and this includes tax and postage!