Hip-Hop Sousaphone on Late Night

Art Hovey · Post by **Art Hovey** » Thu Mar 05, 2009 11:56 pm

I just learned that the "Late Night with Jimmy Fallon" TV show that started this week (on NBC after Jay Leno) has a house band called "The Roots", with a sousaphone player prominently featured. They have been on for three nights now, but no one has mentioned it yet on the Tubenet.

Searching the Jimmy Fallon website was a waste of time, but by googling "The Roots" I was able to find out a little about the band, and eventually the sousaphone player's name: Damon "Tuba Gooding Jr." Bryson.

We recorded last night's show, but he was not audible. Tonight they are backing up Ludacris. Who knows? Maybe this could boost the sales of "Sousaphone Hero".

sloan · Post by **sloan** » Fri Mar 06, 2009 1:39 am

Art Hovey wrote:I just learned that the "Late Night with Jimmy Fallon" TV show that started this week (on NBC after Jay Leno) has a house band called "The Roots", with a sousaphone player prominently featured. They have been on for three nights now, but no one has mentioned it yet on the Tubenet.

Searching the Jimmy Fallon website was a waste of time, but by googling "The Roots" I was able to find out a little about the band, and eventually the sousaphone player's name: Damon "Tuba Gooding Jr." Bryson.

We recorded last night's show, but he was not audible. Tonight they are backing up Ludacris. Who knows? Maybe this could boost the sales of "Sousaphone Hero".

Just watched them back up Ludacris. Couldn't really *hear* the Sousaphone - but I was in suspense waiting for the bell to take someone OUT. I guess if you dance around enough there's no need to actually play [yeah, yeah...I'm sure he's a great player; I'm just saying that on *this* number he didn't provide much evidence of that]

kegmcnabb · Post by **kegmcnabb** » Fri Mar 06, 2009 9:02 am

Art Hovey wrote: Maybe this could boost the sales of "Sousaphone Hero".

"Sousaphone Hero?" What's that? Maybe someone could post!

Rick Denney · Post by **Rick Denney** » Fri Mar 06, 2009 12:46 pm

KiltieTuba wrote:Really, you couldnt hear him? I good hear each note clearly, then again I have a huge stereo system. He mostly just backed up the bass guitar player with simple quarter and eighth notes, nothing too demanding. Besides dancing around is pretty easy to do, especially if youre younger, no offence.

Watch it, young'un. You're laughing at a guy who has photographic evidence of playing sousaphone while ice-skating.

Granted, the picture was made during the Jurassic period.

Rick "FAR younger than Dr. Sloan" Denney

David Richoux · Post by **David Richoux** » Fri Mar 06, 2009 1:26 pm

ehlutzcem wrote:"Sousaphone Hero" was a parody that was posted in the on-line humor magazine "the Onion."
http://www.theonion.com/content/news/ac ... gish_sales" target="_blank" target="_blank" target="_blank

Eric, I think you might have missed the "Wink" in the question about Sousaphone Hero...

sloan · Post by **sloan** » Fri Mar 06, 2009 3:36 pm

KiltieTuba wrote:

Really, you couldnt hear him? I good hear each note clearly, then again I have a huge stereo system. He mostly just backed up the bass guitar player with simple quarter and eighth notes

"backing up" is the key phrase. Mostly what I got out of last night's snippet (that's all I caught - perhaps 2 minutes) was a soloist and band who mostly "stood and delivered", while the tuba player provided VISUAL emphasis for the power chords. More "hop" than "hip", for my taste. The bass player threw in a few "movements" - but these were *arguably* functional as much as dance moves. In my experience, swinging a Sousaphone bell through a 5 ft arc does not generally serve any *sonic* purpose. If the band needs a dancer, I can think of more interesting things to watch.

Oh yeah - he took a bigger, more flamboyant BOW than anyone else on stage, too.

Perhaps my impression would change if I had watched the entire 90 minutes, instead of just 2 - but the 2 minutes I saw did not motivate me to learn more.

and..."what Rick said!"

tubatom91 · Post by **tubatom91** » Fri Mar 06, 2009 8:41 pm

I'm glad I wasn't the only person on here that saw this. I was actually thinking about asking the same thing. I didn't hear much I was too busy saying "do they really have a sousaphone player?"

If nothing else, it was kind of cool to see one of our tuba "brethren" on the TV.

David Richoux · Post by **David Richoux** » Fri Mar 06, 2009 9:39 pm

I have seen Tuba Gooding in some Youtube clips from several years ago - he actually can play, sometimes, from what I heard. I don't think he will be auditioning for the NY Philharmonic anytime soon, but really, who is?

Since I play in several bands that include visual effects (section "moves" and such) I like having the opportunity to add a kinetic element to the performance. In other bands I am in it is not as important. It all depends on what you (and the rest of the ensemble) want to do with the presentation, but in these days of Media Overload, I think "a little song, a little dance, a little seltzer down the pants" can sometimes be a good way to keep audience attention. Just look at what Oystein does on stage!

rocksanddirt · Post by **rocksanddirt** » Fri Mar 06, 2009 10:13 pm

do a little dance,

make a little love,

Get down tonight!

-KC and the Sunshine Band

just say'n

Art Hovey · Post by **Art Hovey** » Sat Mar 07, 2009 12:06 am

It appears that they built a nice bandstand for the Roots, but made the ceiling too low for the kinetic sousaphone. That must be why he stands to the left of it.
I think it was Voltaire who said something like, "I may not agree with the music you play, but I'll defend to the death your right to play it." The TV exposure is good for all of us. Somewhere there may be a kid who is inspired by this band, and he or she may eventually take it to another level. And who knows? Maybe Bloke will be called to sub for this guy once in a while.

sloan · Post by **sloan** » Sat Mar 07, 2009 2:04 am

Art Hovey wrote:It appears that they built a nice bandstand for the Roots, but made the ceiling too low for the kinetic sousaphone. That must be why he stands to the left of it.
I think it was Voltaire who said something like, "I may not agree with the music you play, but I'll defend to the death your right to play it." The TV exposure is good for all of us. Somewhere there may be a kid who is inspired by this band, and he or she may eventually take it to another level. And who knows? Maybe Bloke will be called to sub for this guy once in a while.

I'd pay REAL MONEY to see bloke play in this "style".

I watched tonight, and the dancing was much more restrained. It does look a bit weird with everyone on the bandstand except the Sousaphone. Now, he just looks like an afterthought.

I'm reminded of the Leno band, where the girl singer is often used as a cheerleader going in and out of commercial breaks.

Mike Finn · Post by **Mike Finn** » Sat Mar 07, 2009 8:50 am

LJV wrote:No where to go but up from here.

I dunno, the crowd seems to dig what he's doing, the band has got a pretty good gig on national TV, the've sold a few albums... Seems like "Tuba Gooding Jr." (gotta love his moniker even if you're not blown away by his playing) is doing alright for himself, and to echo another's sentiment, I'm just thrilled to see the sousaphone (and by extension, hopefully, the tuba) portrayed in such a positive manner, especially to a probably predominantly younger audience.

I think this comment from one of the videos you linked sums it up nicely:

youtube video viewer wrote:yeah, they definitely killed it at that one in Warsaw. I love the idea of including sousaphone in the lineup- it's such a great hip hop instrument, with deep thudding bass, making you think of the golden hip hop era, and also harking back to the marching jazz bands of New Orleans. And finally it's spectacular as hell.

I'm not saying we need to praise this gentleman's playing prowess, but if a bunch of folks out there think he's doing a good job, I'm sure not going to be the one to tell them they're wrong.

MF

TMurphy · Post by **TMurphy** » Sat Mar 07, 2009 9:42 am

I, for one, am just glad that the Max Weinberg 7 is following Conan O'Brien out to LA to do the Tonight Show. By far, the best band on late night TV.

David Richoux · Post by **David Richoux** » Sun Mar 08, 2009 1:27 am

ehlutzcem wrote:
Eric, I think you might have missed the "Wink" in the question about Sousaphone Hero...
David, not only did I not see it, I still don't see it. Guess I'm just dense. Just trying to help. Sorry. Bring out the live chickens in the Dutch tavern for a little comic relief.... :(

Do you have "Disable smilies" checked in your message viewing preferences? if so, all you might have seen is ";-)" or :wink: or something

Happy Daylight Savings Times...

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