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 IV – ROY SMECK

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