The Pandemic Project
Album Cover
The Pandemic Project was my first body of work as a recording engineer and established my direction to in developing Passavanti Audio Studios. It was June, 29, 2020, my birthday. I had just retired from my career as a Pharmacist and was looking forward to continuing my commitment to my music by continuing weekly rehearsals with three area Big Bands, taking some music theory classes as well as creating a recording space for a home studio. But when the Pandemic hit in February 2020, the local bands had to stop their weekly rehearsals. Now all of a sudden I had no place to play, nor did any of my musician friends.
As fate would have it I was approached by Florida Jazz Express bandleader Fred Novomestky about the idea of creating a virtual performance video for his big band. He was beginning to learn the art of videography and needed someone to do the audio mixing for him. I quickly agreed and said that I could provide the audio track for the video and arranged, with Fred, to have the musicians in the band send me their individual recorded parts which I would then assemble in the studio.
Thus I began my crash-course education into the world of electronic recording. I immediately signed up for courses through iMacPro, an online “college” of all things iMac/recording, and began studying a lot. The courses gave me the knowledge that I needed and so after about 2 months of collaborating with Fred and his musicians we had our first virtual band piece!
Well I thought, if this worked for one band why not the other bands that I played with? I approached Joe Bonelli from the Ten O’Clock Band in Clearwater, and Jim Burge and Chris Hugues from the Carrollwood Jukebox Jazz Band in Tampa. They were all willing to give it a try. The end result… the studio produced 14 virtual audio recordings during the pandemic lockdown, three of which were used to produce matching virtual performance videos.(go to the Other Projects page to see these videos)
But the best part is that the process of making these recordings involved regular collaboration between members of the bands as well as with videographers including Mike Beaumont in the UK. We all stayed connected!
Rob Passavanti, Founder and Chief Audio Engineer, Passavanti Audio Studios
The Pandemic Project Songs
Love Dance - Florida Jazz Express
Written and Arr. Gilson Peranzzetta Feat. Greg Howard Soprano Sax Recorded June 2020
Mannix Theme - The Carrollwood Jukebox Big Band*
Lalo Schifrin - Arr. John Wasson Feat. Eddie Meyers, Tenor Sax, John Acosta, Trumpet Recorded June 2020
Honey and Tea - The Carrollwood Jukebox Big Band
Tony Guerrero - Arr. Jim Martin Feat. Jenny Cook, Vocals Recorded August 2020
Days of Wine and Roses - The 10 O’Clock Band*
Mercer/Mancini - Arr. Dave Barduhn Recorded September 2020 Video Produced by Mike Beaumont, UK
Satin Doll - Florida Jazz Express*
Strayhorn/Ellington/Mercer - Arr. Sammy Nestico Recorded October 2020 Video Produced by Fred Novomestky)
Another You - The Carrollwood Jukebox Big Band
Written and Arr. John Edmondson - Recorded October 2020
Tangerine - The Carrollwood Jukebox Big Band
Victor Schertzinger - Arr. Jim Martin Recorded December 2020
It’s The Holiday Season - The 10 O’Clock Band
Arr. Roger Holmes Recorded December 2020
Begin the Beguine - Florida Jazz Express*
Cole Porter - Arr. Bill Holman Feat. Tom Parmenter, Trumpet/Jack Keeling, Tenor Sax Recorded January 2021
Video Produced bt Fred Novomestky
Don’t Be That Way - The 10 O’Clock Band*
Goodman/Sampson - Arr. Jeff Hest Feat Tony Fuoco, Clarinet Recorded January 2021 Video Produced by John DeGelleke
Fools Rush In - The Carrollwood Jukebox Big Band
Written By Thad Jones Feat. Sid Fortner, Trombone Recorded March 2021
Brown Baggin’ It - The 10 O’Clock Band
Written and Arr. Dave Wolpe Recorded May 2021
The Flying Monkeys - The Carrollwood Jukebox Big Band
Written and Arr. by Miles Dana Feat. Chuck Hill, Guitar Recorded April 2021 Feat.
Do Nothing Till You Hear From Me - The 10 O’Clock Band*
Ellington/Russell - Arr. Dave Wolpe Feat. Lorri Hafer, Vocals Recorded July 2021
*For a video of this recording please go to the Other Projects page
Many thanks to everyone who made these recordings possible…
First, my wife Deb who let me set up and invest in the studio, who listened to countless versions of each one these tunes with the patience of a saint and who was also my second set of ears. Thanks Sweetie!
My longtime friend JB who provided guidance and feedback every step of the way and taught me things I never would nave known.
The Band leaders: Jim Birge, Joe Bonelli, Chris Hugues and Fred Novomestky all of whom gave their full support to each project.
The Videographers: Mike Beaumont in the UK and Fred Novomestky in New York City. Your creativity is apparent in the excellence of your work.
The Musicians:
The 10 O’Clock Band
Tony Fuoco, Diana Belcher, Ric Cavanaugh, Mike Homan, Celicia Slafter, Robert Adams, Joe Bonelli, John DeGelleke, Robert Chalford, Robert Leischner, Andy Scavelli, Ron Moss, Steve Brashear, Dave Lynch, Lewis Michaels, Ward Cook, Buddy Lane, John Tschirhart, Rob Passavanti, Deb Passavanti.
The Carrollwood Jukebox Big Band
Alan Hoak, Charlie Ford, Eddie Meyers, Jim Birge, James Alexander, Tom Ziegelhofer, Chris Hugues, Terri Molesky, John Acosta, Marc Gordon, Jud Cook, Sid Fortner, Nancy Manning, Chuck Hill, Jay Meder, Rob Passavanti, Deb Passavanti.
Florida Jazz Express
Greg Howard, Jack Keeling, Nelson DellaMaggiore, Kurt Knippel, Tom Parmenter, Pete Harrison, Kevin Clarke, Bruce Cook, Joe Offner, Buggy Bowden, James Wall, Jordan Harris, Pablo Arencibia, Ward Cook, John Zumwalt Stephan, Fred Novomestky, Rob Passavanti.
And Drew Riggs at Studio Drew for the cool handmade mask on the cover of the album