INTERVIEW: Doo Wop Project brings old school music to new generation
Photo: The Doo Wop Project molds together classic doo-wop with modern classics. Photo courtesy of the artist / Provided by Axelrod Performing Arts Center with permission.
The Doo Wop Project is an inventive musical celebration that honors the legacy of doo-wop and also mixes in a few modern classics for good measure. The talented singers in this touring group will begin with some of the original bands who defined this style of music — a style that relies heavily on harmony and catchy melodies. By the end of the concert, they have traveled to the present day and are using the doo-wop sound to interpret songs from the likes of Maroon 5 and Jason Mraz.
Audiences can expect tunes first made famous by Frankie Valli and the Four Seasons, the Drifters and the Del Vikings. Some classic tunes the Doo Wop Project have been known to sing: “I Wonder Why,” “That’s My Desire” and “I Only Have Eyes For You.”
The group is made up of several established singers and Broadway stars. Among their ranks are Dominic Nolfi (A Bronx Tale: The Musical), Charl Brown (Motown: The Musical), Dominic Scaglione Jr. (Jersey Boys), Russell Fischer (Jersey Boys), Dwayne Cooper (Motown: The Musical) and Santino Paladino (Natasha, Pierre, and the Great Comet of 1812).
Recently Nolfi exchanged emails with Hollywood Soapbox about the group’s upcoming concert Friday, June 28 at the Paramount Theatre in Asbury Park, New Jersey. They also recently played New Jersey’s Axelrod Performing Arts Center. Questions and answers have been slightly edited for style.
What can fans expect at the upcoming performance of the Doo Wop Project?
Fans can expect a highly energized show featuring classic doo-wop and contemporary songs reimagined as doo-wop songs, all sung by five Broadway singers (Jersey Boys, Motown: the Musical, Smokey Joe’s Cafe, etc.) backed by a smoking five-man band!
How do you and the band choose the songs for the evening?
The songs are chosen by the members of the group. We’re a democracy! We try to imagine songs our fans would like to hear and sprinkle in some incredible ‘doo-wop-ified’ songs. Songs reimagined as doo-wop but mostly just the best of the best of classic doo-wop!
Were you a big fan of these songs before the Doo Wop Project?
I have always loved doo-wop. I love harmony singing and early rock ‘n’ roll! I discovered some doo-wop through films I watched as a kid — A Bronx Tale, Mean Streets, and Goodfellas, to name a few.
What was it like to perform on Broadway in A Bronx Tale?
Performing in a A Bronx Tale on Broadway was a dream come true! Getting to work with Chazz Palminteri, Jerry Zaks and Robert DeNiro was amazing. Also A Bronx Tale is one of my favorite films, so the whole experience was just incredible. I can’t say enough about Chazz Palminteri; he’s not only a great artist but a wonderful and generous guy. Oh, and I played Crazy Mario … the ole Mario test is classic!
When did you first fall in love with music?
I fell in love with this music as a teenager. I’ll never forget hearing and creating five-part harmony for the first time. It’s the reason why we doo this!
By John Soltes / Publisher / John@HollywoodSoapbox.com
The Doo Wop Project will play Friday, June 28 at the Paramout Theatre in Asbury Park, New Jersey. Click here for more information and tickets.
