About Bob Barta
This page outlines my musical background over the years.
The links lead to pages with details about each time period.
PART I – EARLIEST MUSIC EXPERIENCES & THE SINGING BANJOS
PART II – MEMORIES OF THE LONG ISLAND BANJO SOCIETY
PART III – SING-ALONG DAYS & THE BANJO-AIRES
PART V – MEMORIES OF SY SHAFFER
PART VI – OPEN EARS & THE NEW YORK BANJO ENSEMBLE
PART VII – THE HOWARD HOVEY TRIO
PART VIII – OF MICRO SWINE & SUNNYLAND…
PART IX – THE ISOTOPE STOMPERS & “FAST COMPANY”
Over the years, I’ve been part of some noteworthy bands & gigs. Some highlights:
- Carnegie Hall : The Clef Club Concert
Performance recorded for NPR broadcast hosted by Wynton Marsalis with William Warfield, Jester Hairston, and the Boys Choir of Harlem - Carnegie Hall: Symphony performance of “Rhapsody in Blue”
- Delta Queen riverboat – with Vic Tooker’s Riverboat Ramblers
- 11 years as a member of the Howard Hovey Trio
- Over 10 years as banjo player and vocalist with the Isotope Stompers
- Long-running continuous engagements at the Osborne Inn (Riverhead), Le Chef (Southampton) and Bonnie Jean’s (Southold)
- Numerous performances with other groups including: Hot Jam!, The Wolverines Jazz Band of Boston, and Vince Giordano’s Nighthawks
- Performed an original tune, “I’m In Heaven” at Preservation Hall in New Orleans on Louis Armstrong’s birthday in 2010
- Famous venues including New York’s “21” Club & Birdland, San Francisco’s Gold Dust Saloon, and New Orleans’ Palm Court, Rock N’ Bowl, Fritzel’s and the Spotted Cat
- Played for many celebrities & political figures including: George H.W. Bush, Bill & Hillary Clinton, Mario Cuomo, the Kennedy family, U.N. ambassadors
I’ve appeared on several recordings with various groups; my own CD “In One Era and Out The Other” features an all-star lineup playing some great and rare tunes from the golden age of Tin Pan Alley.
~ Bob Barta