Hal Espinosa Interview by Monk Rowe - 3/20/2024 - Zoom

[@josephtriscari208]

Great interview!! Just recently via email became friends with Hal… I knew of his great lead playing and his time as President of the union.. He worked a lot with my uncle Ray Triscari and we’ve had some great chats.. really enjoyed the interview!! Appreciate the great musicians and people you interview!! Joe Triscari

[@joecaroselli5858]

I really loved this interview. BTW, at around the 8:30 mark, when Hal was trying to think of the man with whom he had worked when he was young...the clarinetist who wore the top hat; I kept saying out loud "Ted Lewis, Ted Lewis," as if they could hear me! My wife thought that I was crazy!!! Ted Fio Rito was a very good guess by Monk. He was popular too. Actually, Ted Lewis used to sing "Me and My Shadow," and was known for his catchphrase "Yes sir, is everybody happy?" He was known as "The High-Hatted Tragedian of Song," and was a real showman! Monk is such a tremendous interviewer. I love the way he paints the cultural picture by mentioning songs or events of that era (in this case for the year 1950, when Hal was about 15). Fantastic stories of his days with Woody Herman, and their driving together in Woody's Corvette! Hal has such a pleasing, unassuming demeanor, and Monk has so much warmth. This was a joy to listen to.

[@filliusjazzarchive]

Hey Joe, Nice details about Ted Lewis and the times. I was picturing a photo of him in the top hat during that moment in the interview. Thanks, Monk