Barbutti was a talent! Most people watching that didn't realize how good he was. Hard to realize that even airing today with today's audience. That's highbrow stuff. Too great!
I was BRIEFLY his MD (Dec'88 at the Sahara), and I can safely say he was the funniest cat I ever worked with...as funny offstage, but kind, and warm...had no contact with him for awhile, called him about a jazzfest i was putting together like 12yrs later, and he remembered me like no time had passed...the real deal!
Thanks for posting this!! I laughed so much, I had tears in my eyes! It's probably because I've played trumpet in a band since jr. high school, around 1965, and I can relate to that experience of sitting there like that. Thankfully I got to play lead sometimes. But watching Pete again was a JOY. Thank you again,1BarbuttiFan, for posting it.
Pete is one of a kind. Used to come into the las vegas musician's union club and sit in w the band playing. He did an incredible interview this summer on jazz conversations in miami. Probably on utube
@Scimonetti Even the little details, like when he gets jarred awake by the saxes at 2:54. I've either seen or done everything that he did (well, apart from huffing!). Cracks me up every time, even after maybe twenty viewings this week.
I first saw him do this bit on TV in the '60s on Merv Griffin's show. It's just as funny now as it was then. Thanks for posting it. I've been searching for it on RU-vid for a long time.
Always loved Pete Barbutti, very funny and original. Where is his Musical Broom routine? He was on the TS, I was on the floor laughing so hard when it first aired, I haven't seen it since.
