Rob Zappulla
Hartford, Connecticut, United States
Music
Press
“Rob knows the importance of a sharp lyric and the value of a great song. He knows how to swing and his band is as tight as a drum. I thank God there are guys like him who are keeping the music that really matters alive!”
- Gary Craig, Host of Craig and Company
Nationally Syndicated Radio
- Gary Craig, Host of Craig and Company: Nationally Syndicated Radio
“Rob’s vocal talents coupled with Lew Anderson’s arrangements make for a truly enjoyable experience. Rob is a winner!”
- Bill Miller, Host of The Bill Miller Show
National Radio Syndicators Inc.
- Bill Miller, Host of The Bill Miller Show: National Radio Syndicators Inc.
“I give Rob Zappulla, his voice, his trumpet playing, and his band – five pies! It’s a delicious snack!!!”
- Soupy Sales, Comedian
- Soupy Sales, Comedian
“Rob is fluid and sure as a singer and an instrumentalist.” “…he has an engaging presence and a hard-charging band that puts a smile on your face and bounce to your step.” “…echoes Sinatra but presents Zappulla as his own man”
- Hartford Courant, Hartford, Connecticut
- Hartford Courant, Hartford, Connecticut
“Rob is a star in the field of dance music. One of the best discoveries in swing.”
- Jim Stone, Big Band Swing
WLNZ 89.7 FM, Lansing, Michigan
- Jim Stone, Big Band Swing: WLNZ 89.7 FM, Lansing, Michigan
“When Rob performed with us he brought the audience to their feet. He was a sensation! He remains the ultimate class act. Rob is at the height of his artistic powers and the ultimate pro to bring audiences a night of a lifetime.”
- Jerome Laszloffy, Conductor
New Britain Symphony Orchestra
- Jerome Laszloffy, Conductor: New Britain Symphony Orchestra
“Rob is a great asset to The Tommy Dorsey Orchestra by making his performance the very definition of jazz and dance music.” “…polished and affable voice,” “…an elegant entertainer.”
- Glacier News, Palos Hill, Illinois
- Glacier News, Palos Hill, Illinois
"It has been an honor and a pleasure for me to participate in Rob Zappulla's latest recording. I must say that I was very pleased with the final results of this most recent work when Rob sent me the CD "You Ought To Be Havin' Fun!" As per usual, Rob's singing is top-shelf, and his trumpet solos are exciting and moving."
- Roger Ingram, Lead Trumpeter
Harry Connick Jr., Tom Jones, Woody Herman and
Quincy Jones, to name a few.
- Roger Ingram, Lead Trumpeter: Harry Connick Jr., Tom Jones, Woody Herman and Quincy Jones, to name a
"With each great standard he sings, Rob's skillful vocal style and rich barltone brlng audiences back to the days of the original big bands. This, in combination with his musical education and years of experience as a touring musician, has made him a perfect fit for the Tommy Dorsey Orchestra. Rob is a great showman and professional in every way."
- Buddy Morrow, Trombonist and Big Band Leader
- Buddy Morrow, Trombonist and Big Band Leader
"Seldom, if ever, have I heard a man who plays the trumpet so beautifully and then turns around and sings some of the best songs I have ever heard sung in my life.” “…a rare combination of music and song and, in my book, Rob is just wonderful.”
- Margaret Whiting, Singer
- Margaret Whiting, Singer
Discography
"YOU OUGHT TO BE HAVIN' FUN"
Released in June 2009, Rob's CD "You Ought To Be Havin' Fun!" is an exciting concept combining 1960s and 70s pop hits with Rob’s full big band sound. When you listen to this CD, you will hear the passion and energy that has been put into this project.
"SOMETHING MAKES ME WANT TO DANCE WITH YOU"
Rob’s "Something Makes Me Want To Dance With You" CD was recorded in 2000. His big band was arranged and conducted by Lew Anderson. The songs are by 20th century greats such as Rogers & Hart, Hammerstein, Mercer, and Porter.
"HERE'S TO FRANK" (single)
This original song, recorded in 2005, was written by Joe Ronan and arranged by Lew Anderson. It pays homage to the voice, the talent, and the legend of Frank Sinatra.
"IT'S SO EASY TO LOVE YOU" (single)
This is a beautiful nostalgic ballad written by composer Nicholas R. Lesbines, arranged and orchestrated by Brad Cole and recorded for the first time by Rob Zappulla.
COMING SOON: Rob is working on a New Live Video!
Rob Zappulla Music, LLC
Photos
Bio
Not many vocalists have performed with the most popular big band of all time - The Tommy Dorsey Orchestra.
From January 2001 to February 2009, Rob was the featured vocalist for this famous big band. The affiliation has taken this great singer on tour with the Orchestra around the globe and all the way to the 2005 President’s Inaugural Ball in Washington, D.C.
Rob will tell you that it has been his honor and privilege to perform with The Tommy Dorsey Orchestra under the direction of the legendary late Buddy Morrow. Morrow, who performed with Tommy Dorsey, declared that Zappulla’s rich baritone and skillful vocal style, his great showmanship and his prior experiences as a touring musician has made him a perfect fit for The Tommy Dorsey Orchestra.
Rob has been performing live for the past thirty years with his own group as well, and continues to present his high energy performances.
Rob has performed at Birdland in New York City with The Lew Anderson Big Band up until 2006. It was there that he premiered his single, "Here’s to Frank", which received great acclaim from the enthusiastic audience at Birdland.
Rob grew up in Connecticut, where he had big dreams. As a nine year old, he heard Harry James play the trumpet and the die was cast. Rob studied at the prestigious Hartt School of Music.
After school, he found work as a trumpeter with show bands such as The Barnum and Bailey Circus, The Box Tops, Lesley Gore and many other well known groups.
His professionalism and talent took him from a jazz and classical trumpeter, theater musician and conductor to performing with big bands and symphony orchestras.
Since 1980 to present, he has toured with several groups, opening for Tower of Power, The Temptations, The Drifters, The Shirelles, and Little Anthony and the Imperials, to name a few.
As a trumpeter, he can be heard on countless recordings with a variety of bands.
Rob’s incredible voice, superb trumpet playing, extraordinary style and showmanship continue to bring him tremendous accolades at major theaters, casinos and various venues throughout the world.
Rob's Conductors bring an addtional dimension to his show with their years of high level professional experience:
James Argiro;
James has conducted, arranged, and performed with and for the “Sonny and Cher” TV Show, the Tony Orlando” TV Show, Bernadette Peters, Leslie Uggams, Frank Sinatra Jr., Carole Channing, Mickey Rooney, Joan Rivers, Juliet Prowse, Mel Torme, Anthony Newley and Henry Mancini, among many others, and has been the conductor and pianist for Rob Zappulla for over 14 years.
Jeff Steinberg;
Jeff has conducted, arranged, and performed with and for The London Symphony, Scottish National Orchestra, London Philharmonic Orchestra, the orchestras of Nashville, Detroit and Tampa, as well as Randy Newman, Anne Murray, Art Garfunkel, Roberta Flack, Michael Feinstein, Olivia Newton-John and Paul Anka, among many others, and conducted Rob Zappulla's CD "You Ought To Be Havin' Fun" as well as arranged many of the songs on this CD.
THIS IS A PARTIAL LIST OF VENUES IN WHICH ROB HAS PERFORMED:
Theaters and Symphonies:
Lincoln Center, New York, NY
Van Wezel Performing Arts Hall, Sarasota, FL
Benaroya Symphony Hall, Seattle, WA
Busch Gardens, Tampa, FL & Williamsburg, VA
Place Des Arts, Montreal, Canada
Youngstown Symphony Orchestra, Youngstown, OH
Kravis Center, West Palm Beach, FL
Indiana Theatre, Terre Haute, IN
Spanish Ballroom, Glen Echo, MD
Performing Arts Center, Palos Hills, IL
Strand Theatre, York, PA
New Britain Symphony Orchestra, New Britain, CT
Grand Hotel Theater, Mackinac Island, MI
Palace Theatre, Cleveland, OH
Stage West Theatre, Mississauga, ONT, Canada
Walhalla Civic Auditorium, Walhalla, SC
Warner Theatre, Torrington, CT
Tecumseh Civic Auditorium, Tecumseh, MI
Oster Regent Theatre, Cedar Falls, IA
Duncan Theatre, Lake Worth, FL
Abraham Chavez Theatre, El Paso, TX
Farmington Valley Symphony Orchestra, Farmington, CT
Mable House Amphitheatre, Mableton, GA
Renfro Valley Entertainment Center, Renfro Valley, KY
Cypress Gardens, Orlando, FL
Lake Compounce Ballroom, Bristol, CT
McMann Memorial Auditorium, Lawton, OK
Alma Performing Arts Center, Alma, AR
Fox Cities Performing Arts Center, Appleton, WI
Great Connecticut Jazz Festival, Moodus, CT
Casinos:
Foxwoods Casino, Ledyard, CT
Mohegan Sun Casino, Uncasville, CT
Cannery Casino, Las Vegas, NV
Paris Casino, Las Vegas, NV
Sands Casino, Bethlehem, PA
Cruise Lines:
Crystal Cruise Line
Mississippi Queen River Boat
MSC Cruise Line
Jazz Clubs:
Birdland Jazz Club, New York, NY
The Supper Club, New York, NY
880 Jazz Club, Hartford, CT
The Pump House Grille, Hartford, CT
Szechuan Tokyo Jazz Cabaret, W. Hartford, CT
Links
