Thursday, June 18, 2009

So, you think you're an actor?

Well, let's put it this way: I keep getting work.

- I just recently got called & auditioned for a NY Lotto MegaMillions commercial. We'll see if I get a callback.
- I will be appearing as the banjo player in the Eddie Cantor band for Martin Scorcese's new movie/TV pilot "Boardwalk Empire." We film Monday.
- I am also going to be playing part of a film crew in the upcoming Roger Michell film "Morning Glory" starting this Sunday.
- I recently played a Hot Dog Vendor in "Sorcerer's Apprentice" starring Nicholas Cage.
- & yours truly is in the band for the wedding scene in the upcoming Kristen Bell/Josh Duhamel Disney Film, "When in Rome..."

Apart from that, I am presently working on music for two movie shorts, "Waterfront Access" by Floanne Ankah (working in conjunction with my buddy Joe Savastano), and "The Haircut" by Elena Shpak.

Who said it's in Hollywood that dreams are made?...

Monday, June 8, 2009

The Latest + Gigs

Hey All,

It's starting to get hot here in NYC - and I don't just mean the weather (heh, heh).

Ok, maybe that's a tired line, but I've got a whole lot cooking right now.:
-The CD, The Russ Spiegel Jazz Orchestra, Transplants is starting to get nationwide radio play, with songs from the album being heard from San Diego to Boston and beyond to France, Germany and Macedonia!
-My interview on ArtistFirst.com is now available to listen to and download: http://66.49.193.35/ArtistFirst_Special_2009-05-21_Russ_Spiegel.mp3
-I received a commission to write a series of songs for drummer & Michigan native Corey Cook for his New York quartet. www.myspace.com/coreycookensemble 

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The Russ Spiegel Jazz Orchestra is back! After the great response from our last gig we are going to be starting a monthly gig over at the Gershwin Hotel beginning Tuesday, June 16th, playing two sets 8-9pm & 9:30-10:30pm. The price is is $15, which, with 17 musicians in the band comes to less than a buck a musician - the best deal in NYC! Plus, if you come to the first set, you can stay for the second!
The Band:
Russ Spiegel: compositions, arrangements, guitar
Reeds: Rob Wilkerson, Alejandro Aviles, Arun Luthra, Dan Pratt, Andrew Hadro
Trumpets: Colin Brigstocke, Philip Dizak, James Smith, Roger Lent
Trombones: Michael Boscarino, Jack Davis, Andy Hunter, Darrell Hendricks
Rhythm: Art Hirahara (p), Gary Wang (b), Chris Benham (dr)
The Gershwin Hotel is located at: 7 East 27th Street
New York, NY 10016
212-545-8000
www.gershwinhotel.com

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I have a new regular gig Thursdays, from 7-10pm at a great Greenpoint restaurant called Lamb & Jaffy. The chef Michael DiPrima makes some killin' food, the atmosphere is great, and the garden is total bliss.
Solo Jazz Guitar @ Lamb & Jaffy
1073 Manhattan Ave. in Greenpoint, Brooklyn (between Eagle & Dupont), Brooklyn, New York 11222
(718) 389-3638

I am "O solo mio" - solo jazz guitar, that is - Friday evenings 7-10pm at Il Porto Restaurant (known for its wood burning brick oven pizza!). Located directly across from the entrance to Steiner Studios. Hope to see you there.
37 Washington Avenue at Flushing Ave.
Brooklyn, NY 11205
(718) 624-2965
www.ilportobrooklyn.com

Come on up to Washington Heights for a Jazz Brunch every Sunday 12-3pm - guitar/bass duo at: Jesse's Place - 181st & Pinehurst (A Train to 181st) in Manhattan. www.jessesplace.net