ELECTRIC BUTTER (Rob Paparozzi and The Ed Palermo Big Band)
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ELECTRIC BUTTER (Rob Paparozzi and The Ed Palermo Big Band)

New York City, New York, United States | Established. Jan 01, 2014 | SELF | AFM

New York City, New York, United States | SELF | AFM
Established on Jan, 2014
Band Blues Jazz

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Press


"Electric Butter CD (The Motron Report)"

Electric Butter: A Big Band Tribute to Paul Butterfield and Michael Bloomfield.
The Morton Report (Entertainment Section Oct 2014)

Just when it seems all the tribute albums have been made that ever need to get made, something from left field arrives that is so righteous and right on that the music makes perfect sense. That's what lead singer and harp player Rob Paparozzi has created here, along with the Ed Palermo Big Band. They've taken the music of the Paul Butterfield Blues Band and Michael Bloomfield's Electric Flag aggregation, and barnstormed it all into utter bliss. Butterfield and Bloomfield first collaborated together, and the results were beyond explosive. That band rewrote all the rules for what young white and black musicians could do to urban blues, and set off a generation or two of fans down the rode of cultural exploration. And when they split apart, each of the Chicago natives somehow found a way to explode on their own.
Enter Paparozzi, an absolute devotee of this music. With Palermo's band, and special guests guitarists Steve Cropper and Jimmy Vivino, original Butterfield keyboardist Mark Naftalin and Electric Flag bassist Harvey Brooks, they take songs like "Killing Floor," "Walkin' Blues," "Another Country" and "Everything's Gonna Be Alright" to the moon and back. The fellows can play, and aren't above putting the heavy hurt on the music. There's been nothing quite like this in far too long, and just when it seemed like there wouldn't be any more, along come some clearly plugged-in people to churn the butter into a burning froth, and then plug the entire proceeds into the wall for a scintillating electric mess. Never let it be said an essential tribute album doesn't change everything.

-Bill Bentley (Vanguard Records) - Bill Bentley


"Electric Butter CD (Making a Scene)"

Rob Paparozzi & The Ed Palermo Big Band
Electric Butter/Play the Music of Butterfield & The Electric Flag
Independent
Rob Paparozzi, vocals and harmonica, is a New Jersey based session musician who has toured with “The Original Blues Brothers Band” and also as lead vocalist in the reformed “Blood, Sweat and Tears”. He has played with everyone from Bruce Springsteen to George Jones. Paparozzi also fronts his own band “The Hudson River Rats”, sometimes with legendary drummer Bernard “Pretty” Purdie, and their last album was 1999’s “Get It While You Can”. Paparozzi’s first album in his own name was 2009’s “Etruscan Soul” and it received rave reviews.
The Ed Palermo Big Band has been active for thirty-five years. Palermo is an alto saxophonist/guitarist turned big band leader that is best known for his arrangements of the music of Frank Zappa. Palermo has released six recordings the most recent being “Oh No!! Not Jazz!!” a double album; one disc of Zappa and the other all original material.
Fourteen years ago, after first hearing Palermo’s band perform the music of Zappa, Paparozzi hired Palermo to arrange and chart the music of Paul Butterfield and Michael Bloomfield. The Paul Butterfield Blues Band and The Electric Flag turned a generation onto electric Blues. Included is a sixteen page booklet designed by Mason Ellis and Butterfield historian Tom Ellis III.
The fourteen tracks were recorded live in the studio. Some overdubs were accomplished later. Conductor Palermo’s big band includes Paparozzi; Paul Adamy, bass; Ray Marchica, drums; Bob Quaranta, piano; Ted Kooshian, keyboards; George Naha, guitar, and a ten piece horn section.
Paparozzi shares this stage with each and every musician involved in this loving project. There are several special guests. Guitarist Steve Cropper is featured on “You Don’t Realize”. Jimmy Vivino guests on “Killing Floor” and he takes a long guitar solo. Original Electric Flag bassist Harvey Brooks appears on “Texas”. Original Paul Butterfield Band member Mark Naftalin, keyboards, joins the big band for both “Drifting Blues” and “Drivin’ Wheel”.
Other highlights include “Lovin’ Cup” featuring soloists Ben Kono, tenor sax; Ron Buttacavoli, trumpet; Joe Fiedler, trombone, and Kooshian. “Everything’s Gonna Be Alright” has solos by Barbara Cifelli, baritone sax; Charlie Gordon, trombone, and John Bailey, trumpet. “Walkin Blues” features guests Jimmy Leahey, slide guitar, and Ed Alstrom, B3. “Walking By Myself” includes an alto sax solo by Cliff Lyons. Jazz trumpeter Nat Adderely’s “Work Song”, which appeared on The Paul Butterfield Blues Band’s second album “East-West”, is fabulously re-arranged by Palermo. Other musicians include band members Bill Straub, tenor sax; Dave Rickenberg, alto sax; and Matt Ingman, bass trombone; co-producer Steve Jankowski, trumpet; and guest John Korba, keyboards.
The album closes with an interview with Gabe Butterfield, Paul Butterfield’s son. Gabe also sings on the closing track “Buried Alive in The Blues” written by Nick Gravenites of The Electric Flag.
The music of Paul Butterfield, Michael Bloomfield, and The Electric Flag are the soundtrack of our lives. The music has had its effect on all of us but especially on Paparozzi whose passionate vocals and Butterfield like harp solos make him one of our greatest exponents of this music. This is seventy-five minutes of highly recommended listening.

Richard Ludmerer - Richard Ludmerer


Discography

ELECTRIC BUTTER (Rob Paparozzi and The Ed Palermo Big Band)

to be released in September 2014 to order records or book the show contact Rob Paparozzi at Chromboy@earthlink.net


Rob has played on thousands of tracks from Whitney Houston to Cyndi Lauper check AMG for a complete listing

Rob's recent CD ETRUSCAN SOUL made the first round of GRAMMY NOMINATIONS for "Best Contemporary Blues Record" Check out our "Press" for reviews


Ed Palermo Big Band has several CD releases concentrating on The Music of Frank Zappa

Photos

Bio

ELECTRIC BUTTER (Rob Paparozzi & The Ed Palermo Big Band) a 17 Piece Big Band

to book the project send email to: Rob at chromboy@earthlink.net

A Musical Tribute to the Music of Paul Butterfield and Mike Bloomfield

Recorded at Jankland Recorded & Mixed by Steve Jankowski

Produced by: Rob Paparozzi, Steve Jankowski and Ed Palermo

*PLEASE NOTE: ELECTRIC BUTTER can be" expanded" for your show with more 60/70's era music from Bob Dylan, Procul Harum, Frank Zappa, The Beatles, all with unique Palermo Big Band arrangements...just let us know when booking.

Electric Butter: A Big Band Tribute to Paul Butterfield and Michael Bloomfield.

The Morton Report (Entertainment Section Oct 2014)

Just when it seems all the tribute albums have been made that ever need to get made, something from left field arrives that is so righteous and right on that the music makes perfect sense. That's what lead singer and harp player Rob Paparozzi has created here, along with the Ed Palermo Big Band. They've taken the music of the Paul Butterfield Blues Band and Michael Bloomfield's Electric Flag aggregation, and barnstormed it all into utter bliss. Butterfield and Bloomfield first collaborated together, and the results were beyond explosive. That band rewrote all the rules for what young white and black musicians could do to urban blues, and set off a generation or two of fans down the rode of cultural exploration. And when they split apart, each of the Chicago natives somehow found a way to explode on their own.

Enter Paparozzi, an absolute devotee of this music. With Palermo's band, and special guests guitarists Steve Cropper and Jimmy Vivino, original Butterfield keyboardist Mark Naftalin and Electric Flag bassist Harvey Brooks, they take songs like "Killing Floor," "Walkin' Blues," "Another Country" and "Everything's Gonna Be Alright" to the moon and back. The fellows can play, and aren't above putting the heavy hurt on the music. There's been nothing quite like this in far too long, and just when it seemed like there wouldn't be any more, along come some clearly plugged-in people to churn the butter into a burning froth, and then plug the entire proceeds into the wall for a scintillating electric mess. Never let it be said an essential tribute album doesn't change everything.

-Bill Bentley, A&R Vanguard Records

BIO: ROB PAPAROZZI.....Harmonica & Vocals (Frontman)

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 had been touring the world with the Original Blues Brothers Band, featuring guitar legend Steve Cropper and specia guest Eddie Floyd 2000-2007.

Most recently,in Blood Sweat and Tears as Front Man-Lead Vocalist and Harmonica Player (replacing singer David Clayton Thomas) in 2005-to July 2011

Robs 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 is working on his debut CD which will feature many varied styles and special guests.

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

Robs New DEBUT CD Etruscan Soul will be available this June 2009 with Special Guests: Phoebe Snow, Harvey Brooks, Will Lee, Chuck Rainey, Bernard Purdie, Leo Nocentelli, Shawn Pelton and Hugh McCracken.

ED PALERMO - Arranger, Conductor, Alto Saxophone

 and his amazing 17 piece band (+ guests) return with their third album of his distinctive, big-band interpretations of the great 20th century composer, Frank Zappa. This body of work has won them huge acclaim from both new and old fans of the music and they even appeared on NPR's Weekend Edition for a short feature which was heard by millions of listeners in 2006. For those not already familiar with Ed's colorful, jazz-based arrangements of Zappa's compositions, Ed has led a big band for 30 years