Morristown Jazz Fest Headliner 'Re-Invented' Self In His Basement

MORRISTOWN, NJ — Rob Paparozzi has stepped in to play harmonica for some of the biggest musical acts. Dolly Parton? George Jones? Whitney Houston? He's been there at some point or another when they performed in the area and needed somebody on the harmonica.

Paparozzi even played when Culture Club came to New York and reunited with Boy George, because the new-wave band needed somebody for "Karma Chameleon."

But, of course, the shows came to a pause during the pandemic — even the Morristown Jazz & Blues Festival, which Rob Paparozzi’s Juke Joint will headline when it returns Sept. 18. As Paparozzi described it, everyone needed to "re-invent" themselves.

"The pandemic has caused the whole world to re-invent itself, and I’m aware of that," Paparozzi told Patch. "When they issued those stimulus checks, I went out and I bought recording equipment to work from the basement."

Learn more about the Morristown Blues & Jazz Festival musicians, and enter for a chance to win a $100 gift certificate for the Morristown Partnership: Morristown Jazz & Blues Festival: The Insider's Guide

But how do you re-invent yourself when you've been performing for more than 50 years across different genres?

In recent decades, Paparozzi toured with the Original Blues Brothers Band and Blood, Sweat & Tears. But Paparozzi first performed for the public in Morristown, at what was then The Thirsty Ear off Route 24. He was 17 and just got his license. And since The Thirsty Ear was a coffeehouse rather than a bar, Paparozzi was excited his friends could see him.

Paparozzi's band originally played the blues, but he noticed that the genre's popularity waned in New Jersey during the 1970s and 80s. So Pararozzi branched out into different genres and served as a session musician for performers across the musical spectrum.

"At first, I started out playing blues," Paparozzi said. "The harmonica is standard in Chicago blues. But then I found out I just loved music in general."

The genre saw a resurgence once "The Blues Brothers" was released in 1980. Ironically, Paparozzi wasn't too fond of the movie at the time.

"I remember when the Blues Brothers movie came out, and I thought they were kind of making fun of the blues," he said. "It was a comedy skit."

But 20 years later, Paparozzi got a call from Steve Cropper — best known as the guitarist for Booker T. & the M.G.'s. Cropper appeared in "The Blues Brothers" movie and became a member of their band. The guitarist asked Paparozzi if he could sing for the band, and Paparozzi noted that he knew many of their songs.

So throughout the years, Paparozzi has played in the background and as a frontman — combining the genres he picked up along the way, from blues to rock to jazz to pop. But the pandemic had him performing from a different area: his basement.

Paparozzi got calls from the harmonica players for Willie Nelson and Sting, noting they had some time on their hands. They did Zoom lessons, video classes and taught people individually via FaceTime. Instead of going to New York to perform on a session, people will send Paparozzi tracks in which he can add his harmonica.

The frontman, singer and harmonica player has been able to leave home since then. He recently traveled to Florida for a harmonica workshop. Amid a pandemic of re-inventions, the music world is finally beginning to come together again and figure itself out.

"It’s coming back," Paparozzi said. "Everybody’s still a little confused about how it’s all going to work, but at least we’re allowed out of the house again. I’m vaccinated and hoping for the best."

Rob Paparozzi's Juke Joint will feature pianist John Korba, guitarist George Naha, bassist Sue Williams and drummer Frank. Listen to Rob Paparozzi's Juke Joint below:

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