Piano Barbarians (general)
Paul Seiz, Steve Savage, and Jarret Izzo host this podcast about roaming the earth as professional piano players and the various wildlife they encounter. Each of these barbarians perform regularly at dueling piano clubs around the the US and overseas. It's at these clubs that they meet some of the most exotic entertainers the world has to offer.

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March 2024
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Syndication

Frankie Turner is a much loved dueling pianist from Michigan recently living in NYC where he is loved by other players for his quick wit and superb ability at forging connections with audience members.  Tune in!  **Special Announcement** Mark Weiser drops by the podcast to talk about all things related to PIANO SUMMIT 2017 happening in NYC March 13-15 next year... check out www.PianoSummit2017.com for more info!

Direct download: E66_FrankieTurner.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 2:51am EDT
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Davina Yannetty hails from East Boston, not far from where she began working as a dueling pianist at Howl at the Moon in Boston when it opened in 2010.  Davina is a wonderful singer and boasts a deep repertoire of classic rock and 90s hits.  In recent years, Davina has been traveling and performing dueling piano gigs around the world.   

Direct download: E65_DavinaYannetty.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 4:22pm EDT
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iPads, Song Ownership, Drummers, X Stands vs. Shells, Rap, and Lyric Improv, CP33s vs. Privias... Steve Savage and Matt Tobin delve into all your favorite hot topics in the world of dueling pianos.  Enjoy!     

Direct download: E64_MattTobin.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 7:45pm EDT
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Nate Hopkins and Steve Savage are two skinny pasty dudes who live in Astoria.  They also both have exquisite gingery beards.  For serious, it was great to have Nate on the podcast to discuss his career in dueling pianos, his position at Howl at the Moon in NYC, and his musical theater pursuits.  Tune in!  Feel free to email the podcast:  PianoBarbarians@gmail.com 

Direct download: E63__NateHopkins.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 9:39pm EDT
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Steve Savage and Matt Tobin sit down for a conversation on the first episode of the podcast after a nearly 3 year hiatus.  Steve and Matt are both dueling piano players that live and work in New York City.  Enjoy!  

Direct download: E62_MattTobin.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 10:09pm EDT
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E61 - James Barr

Cheerio!  Today's episode features an Englishman living in New York, James Barr!  Steve and James sit down for a chat about solo piano lounges on cruise ships and the process of transitioning into dueling pianos.  James also talks about a particular sales technique that he employs with audiences on gigs.  Tune in!  

Direct download: E61_-_James_Barr.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 11:02pm EDT
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The Barbarians are back with a brand new episode featuring a conversation between Steve Savage and Drew De Four...  Drew has the distinction of being possibly the youngest player to be doing the gig for 10+ years.  Anyone fortunate enough to share the stage with Drew has a unique understanding of his superb ability when it comes to dueling pianos.  Tune in for a glimpse at Drew's philosophy on the gig!  

Direct download: E60_-_Drew_De_Four.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 5:23pm EDT
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Today's guest is the well-traveled Orin Sands.  Steve and Orin sat down for a chat before their Saturday evening gig in Lincoln, NE, and got to talking about Orin's history with dueling pianos as well as his tenure in Holland at Crazy Pianos.  Wondering what it may be like to be a piano barbarian overseas?  Don't miss this episode!  

Direct download: E59_-_Orin_Sands.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 8:52pm EDT
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California King Ryan Bueter spends and hour with Paul, hashing out everything you need to know about your chances as a dueling piano player, especially on the west coast.  Also, deep dives into the male psyche and bar behaviors.

Direct download: E57_-_Ryan_Bueter.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 4:41pm EDT
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E55 - Jeff Spence

Steve sits down with veteran traveling piano man Jeff Spence who is currently performing nightly on the NCL Epic.  Steve and Jeff do a bit of shop talk about balancing music with comedy, but focus mainly on some of Jeff's great stories from his years of performing.  Tune in to hear all about Jeff, from his first piano bar gig playing japanese singalongs in Texas, to his jazz studies with Ellis Marsalis in New Orleans.  Towards the end of the episode both Steve and Jeff get philospohical about the emotional cache that piano bar entertainers access on a regular basis at work.  A fun episode for sure, get it in your ears! 

Direct download: E55_-_Jeff_Spence.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 8:35pm EDT
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E54 - Luke Jerram

Luke is one cool dude. We invited the UK-based artist on the show to talk about his project "Play Me, I'm Yours," which installs pianos on street corners in a city, allowing anyone to play at any time. But then learned: he also designs hospital atriums. He creates glass sculptures with lightning. He sends hot air balloons up over cities to play music and inspire peoples' dreams. And he's colorblind. Jarret speaks with him about his artistic process, installing street pianos in Boston in Summer 2013, and the differences between foxes and hedgehogs.

Direct download: Luke_Jerram_broadcast_interview.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 7:20am EDT
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Part 2 of the epic Savage/Genuardi interview series, in which Steve and Joe delve into health and singing techniques.  Paul's "Whiskey Method" goes unappraised.  Relax your ears and enjoy.

Direct download: E52_-_Joe_Genuardi_Part_2.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 5:20am EDT
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Joe Genuadi has worked at Howl at the Moon for nearly 20 years! Steve and Joe recently sat down in Orlando to discuss Joe's history with the gig. This is the first of a two-part series. Be sure to check back in a few days for Part 2 featuring a discussion of Joe's work as a voice coach and keeping vocal chords healthy while maintaining a full schedule.

Direct download: E51_-_Joe_Genuardi_Pt._1.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 12:13pm EDT
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After a year of running Piano Barbarians from different corners of the earth, Paul and Steve had a chance to work together in Denver for New Year's Eve.  They tell their survival stories of the night, and wax on the future of the music and entertainment industry.  All this from the comfort of their pajamas.

Direct download: E49_-_Steve__Paul_Reunited.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 7:11pm EDT
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E48 - Mark Weiser

Steve sits down with The Piano Whore himself, Mark Weiser of NYC's "Shake Rattle & Roll Dueling Pianos."  Steve and Mark get to the root of Mark's philosophy on a "New York Style" dueling piano show, as well as some discussion of Mark's stake in musical theater scene in the big apple.  Tune in!

Direct download: E48_-_Mark_Weiser.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 7:09pm EDT
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It's been a while since the hosts have gotten together for a chat.  Steve has been busy recovering from pneumonia, Paul has been busy interviewing guests and keeping the podcast alive.  Jarret has been busy surveying real estate in Boston.  That being said, we're back with another episode discussing a variety of topics... "new country" music, facebook dramas in the DP forum, cover charges, and celebrity encounters in the world of dueling pianos.  Tune in!   

Direct download: E47_-_Steve_Jarret__Paul.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 6:14pm EDT
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Get ready to get your culture on as Paul and Alissa D discuss race, women, rap and pianos.  Also, in-depth discussion of the n-word and "the n-word" and why they both suck.  Don't forget your email your comments or report us to the FCC.

Direct download: E46_-_Alissa_D.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 2:52pm EDT
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E42 - Matt Mello

Matt Mello will always hold a special place in the hearts of Jarret & Steve.  They were both trained by Matt at Jake Ivory's in Boston several years ago.  Jarret and Matt sit down to chat about Matt's long career at Jakes, training new players, and the Jake Ivory's "format" that worked so well for so long.  Tune in!  

Direct download: E42_-_Matt_Mello.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 2:45am EDT
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E41 - Richard Cooper

Rich Cooper is a veteran of dueling pianos and one hell of a musician.  Steve caught up with Rich while they were both performing on the Norwegian Epic back in August.  Tune in to hear their conversation about traditional dueling pianos vs. bandalong dueling pianos, playing solo vs. dueling, and what it's like playing for such an eclectic mix of audiences out in Europe.  

Direct download: E41_-_Rich_Cooper.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 11:27pm EDT
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E40 - Steve & Paul

Fresh off their recent hiatus, the hosts are back with a brand new episode.  Steve and Paul sit down to catch up on what they've been up to this past month, and Paul shares a story about having a rough weekend on the job.  Tune in!  

Direct download: E40_-_Steve__Paul.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 3:00am EDT
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E38 - Adam Brooks

Today's episode features Adam Brooks, an improv comedy pianist and songwriter whose new show Paragon Park: The Musical opens this Friday.  Jarret chats with Adam about the "groove" of an orchestra being channeled through the conductor, and the groove of an improv or dueling piano audience being channeled through, well, the performers.  Lastly, everyone involved with this episode is a big supporter of the "yes, and..." principle of improv!  Tune in!   

Direct download: E38_-_Adam_Brooks.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 12:56am EDT
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E29 - Pat George of The Entertainment Agency

Piano gigs abroad can be hard to come by, unless you know the right people.  Pat George, CEO of The Entertainment Agency, is one of them, and he's booked pianists in rooms around the world for decades. Jarret talks with him about performing solo versus dueling pianos, how disco killed rock shows, and what bar owners look for in an entertainer. Plus, proof that Diana Krall can't cut it as a singalong pianist.

Direct download: E29_-_Pat_George.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 10:41am EDT
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E27 - Steve Dorian of Rockapella

Steve Dorian of Rockapella fame sits down to discuss his unique career in the music business.  The multi-talented tenor reminisces about his time as a rollerblading singing guitarist for Busch Gardens as well as his current work with the world famous Rockapella.  We also find out Keith Lockhart, conductor for the Boston Pops Orchestra, is a great guy to have a few beers with!  Tune in!

Direct download: E27_-_Steve_Dorian_of_Rockapella.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 9:01pm EDT
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E25 - Steve, Jarret, & Paul

To celebrate the 25th episode of Piano Barbarians, your intrepid hosts Steve, Jarret, & Paul discuss poisonous crowds and tipping in cashless societies.  Also, we compare the sack of our podcast to the sack of Facebook forums and draw conclusions that will shock you.  Are you in the 90, the 9, or the 1?  Tune in!  

Direct download: E25_-_Steve_Jarret__Paul.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 1:14am EDT
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E23 - Chris Keenan

Our guest this week is Chris Keenan, Entertainment Director of Boynton's Taproom in Manchester, NH.  Chris sits down with Jarret to discuss the Jake Ivory's mystique, the challenges of a "theater style" performance space, and his auspicious beginnings performing for the Boston Derby Dames.  

Direct download: E23_-_Chris_Keenan.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 7:22pm EDT
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E22 - Greg Sampson

Greg Sampson is a world traveled veteran of the cruise ship piano bar scene.  He sits down in Barbados to chat with Steve about his background in radio, his transition from playing in cover bands to dueling pianos at the Mall of America in Minneapolis, and his eventual tenure on the high seas with various cruise ship companies.  Enjoy!  

Direct download: E22_-_Greg_Sampson.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 8:09pm EDT
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Steve sits down with Mr. "Fake it till ya Make it" Steve Kouba in Barbados to chat about Chicago, Dueling Pianos, playing solo, the NCL Epic, and much more...tune in!

Direct download: E21_-_Steve_Kouba.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 2:12am EDT
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Choke holds, chipped teeth, and getting arrested on stage.  Paul sits down with dueler Steve Dakin in Boise, Idaho for some great stories highlighting the absurdities of dueling pianos.  Oh yeah, and there's also some discussion of adapting to the energy of a room.  

Direct download: E20_-_Steve_Dakin.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 4:26pm EDT
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Jarret sits down with "Barry from Boston" to discuss the lifestyle and the wild variety involved with gigging in the Caribbean and Europe.  Tune in for some great history about piano bar world!    

Direct download: E19_-_Barry_Rocklin.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 7:44pm EDT
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Troy Neihardt from Chicago sits down with Steve in a New York City Hotel room to discuss Howl at the Moon Singapore, the merits of playing the accordian as a kid, and the history of dueling pianos.  

Direct download: E18_-_Troy_Neihardt.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 7:09pm EDT
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