Tweet Jon Mirsalis on The Commentary Track

Jon Mirsalis and I took a break during Cinecon to talk about Lon Chaney, lost films, accompanying silent movies and, of course, toxology. He's a fascinating guy and I hope you'll listen to the podcast.

Excellent interview, thanks!

Excellent interview, thanks!

And thank you.

I listened to the interview today. It was the first I have listened to. It was very enjoyable. I am going to go back through the other stored Podcasts and get a listen. Thank you for making these available.

Matthew

Just to chime in that I, too, enjoyed the Jon Mirsalis episode of The Commentary Track very much. I have seen him play at Cinecon over the past few years, but never heard him speak. He was a wealth of information on a lot of topics! He has a great speaking voice. I agree with his view on how each person who plays for a silent film has their own unique style.

Frank, these are the most fun, enjoyable podcasts. Thanks for sharing.

Tracy

Just to chime in that I, too, enjoyed the Jon Mirsalis episode of The Commentary Track very much. I have seen him play at Cinecon over the past few years, but never heard him speak. He was a wealth of information on a lot of topics!

Tracy

To paraphrase Tom Lehrer, listening to Jon talk always makes you realize how little you've accomplished.

Just to chime in that I, too, enjoyed the Jon Mirsalis episode of The Commentary Track very much. I have seen him play at Cinecon over the past few years, but never heard him speak. He was a wealth of information on a lot of topics!

Tracy

To paraphrase Tom Lehrer, listening to Jon talk always makes you realize how little you've accomplished.

Ain't that the truth.

Just to chime in that I, too, enjoyed the Jon Mirsalis episode of The Commentary Track very much. I have seen him play at Cinecon over the past few years, but never heard him speak. He was a wealth of information on a lot of topics! He has a great speaking voice. I agree with his view on how each person who plays for a silent film has their own unique style.

Frank, these are the most fun, enjoyable podcasts. Thanks for sharing.

Tracy

Thanks for the nice words, Tracy. Hope you'll keep listening; I have some terrific guests coming up.

So Frank...what bands did YOU play in? (I've already had this discussion with Jon).

So Frank...what bands did YOU play in? (I've already had this discussion with Jon).

I grew up in South Carolina so most of the bands were just local. I played piano for a period with The Platters when I was a senior in high school. When I went to Boston to college I played some gigs (trombone) with the Jimmy Dorsey orchestra and also played a single date with Chuck Berry, all of which combines to make me seem at least 20 years older than I am, and I'm plenty old as it is.

Any local bands that recorded? Jon Mirsalis was surprised to hear that I was interested in Cleveland bands he was somewhat connected to like The Choir and Cyrus Erie (though in fact many collectors of 60's records are interested in those bands).

I was interested in Cleveland bands he was somewhat connected to like The Choir and Cyrus Erie (though in fact many collectors of 60's records are interested in those bands).

NICE! I had no idea.

I grew up in South Carolina so most of the bands were just local. I played piano for a period with The Platters when I was a senior in high school. When I went to Boston to college I played some gigs (trombone) with the Jimmy Dorsey orchestra and also played a single date with Chuck Berry, all of which combines to make me seem at least 20 years older than I am, and I'm plenty old as it is.

The man played with CHUCK BERRY.

We are not worthy!


Jim

I grew up in South Carolina so most of the bands were just local. I played piano for a period with The Platters when I was a senior in high school. When I went to Boston to college I played some gigs (trombone) with the Jimmy Dorsey orchestra and also played a single date with Chuck Berry, all of which combines to make me seem at least 20 years older than I am, and I'm plenty old as it is.

The man played with CHUCK BERRY.

We are not worthy!


Jim

Now we need to know, did he get paid? Berry was notorious for stiffing the pickup bands he used, a tradition that seems to have been revived by a recent artist. Also for The Platters, which version? Tony Williams lead, or Sonny Turner?

I was interested in Cleveland bands he was somewhat connected to like The Choir and Cyrus Erie (though in fact many collectors of 60's records are interested in those bands).

NICE! I had no idea.

To be more clear, if I recall correctly (and I may not!), Jon was in a band with one or possibly two members who were briefly in one or both of those bands, but Jon was not in those bands.

The man played with CHUCK BERRY.

We are not worthy!

Jim

I once opened for a band that once opened for The Pogues!

Well heck, if we want to play true confessions and/or name dropping, can I play too? ☺

I once played drums with the Cowsills and accompanied Aletra Hampton (sister to Slide Hampton and one of the famous Hampton Sisters). I also did extensive accompaniment for one of the Shangra Las (since she was my sister and also taught me piano). I also mixed live sound for Harry Chapin and Raúl Juliá. Billy Joel and I (who had the same piano teacher, BTW) shared a bass player, and I composed and performed for and with Martha Graham for 6+ years, often in close contact with Liza Minnelli, Nureyev, Halston, Baryshnikov, Aaron Copeland, and "others."

If you want to count theater, as well as more dance & film folks we've actually worked and collaborated with, let me know and I'll be happy to start the list.

Oooops! Left out my TV work with Armelia McQueen right after she won her Tony Award for Ain't Misbehavin'. The best part of that was chatting with Hank Jones backstage after the show. Oh wait, does "chatting with" count, 'cause I have a list there as well.

How about "beds we've slept in?" Top of my list there is John Cage but alas (and thankfully) he was not there at the same time.