Q + A: Norfolk's multi-instrumentalist Joe Maniscalco...

Posted to: Music Q and A  

By Patty Jenkins
The Virginian-Pilot
© January 1, 2009

The Norfolk entertainer who has a great hook also has a sandwich named for him at Footers Sports Pub in Virginia Beach.

Joe Maniscalco performs easy listening, Motown, R&B, reggae and even a few Jimmy Buffett covers and can be seen throughout Hampton Roads at festivals, in clubs and on cruise ships.

He's also a business partner, mentor for musicians  and an entertainment director. At 55, he's a multi-instrumentalist playing six- and 12-string acoustic guitars, flute, harmonica, autoharp and steel drum/steel pan.

He also plays  two trumpets, in harmony, simultaneously. Maniscalco said most horn players play in the middle of their mouths and use the muscles from both sides, but he plays off to one side.

"One time (during the '80s) I had a fluegelhorn  and trumpet onstage with me and this man came up to me one night and held a $100 bill in front of me. He goes, 'if you can play both of those instruments at the same time, I'll give you a hundred bucks.'" After debating whether to take the bet, "I got notes to come out of both of them. What a hook, I thought to myself. I've been looking for a hook."

Performing full-time since 1979, Maniscalco has released several CD throughout the years. "Cruisin' With Joe" came out  in 2008.

He's opened for a long list of national acts including Chicago, Hall &  Oates and Jimmy Buffett.

This is how Maniscalco answered our questions: 

What is your earliest musical memory?

When I was 4, my folks took us to see Humpty Dumpty at the London Palladium.  

If you could do something else, what would it be?

I don't want to do anything else. At this point, not sure I can do anything else. Music is my life. Entertaining is my life.  

If you could write your own headline, what would it be?

Joe Maniscalco wins Grammy Award. Or, Joe Maniscalco named Entertainer of the Year.

 If you could get up onstage and play with any artist living or dead, who would it be and why?

Jimmy Buffett:  Everyone loves Buffett. Sir Paul McCartney:  Paul is still prolific, still performing. Elvis:  He changed the face of music in the world. 

Patty Jenkins, (757) 446-2298, patty.jenkins@pilotonline.com