Paul Oorts on mandolin
The trio format. The combination of two mandolins and a guitar was very popular in the early 1900s to play for small social gatherings, and much music was written and arranged in the trio format.
Our repertoire includes mazurkas, tarantellas, serenades, opera overtures, Italian folk tunes, and the occasional ragtime piece. This music appeals just as much to classical and folk music lovers as it does to those already steeped in the Italian mandolin music tradition. |
Paul Oorts, Rigatoni's director and lead mandolinist, is an in-demand multi-instrumentalist in the Washington DC music scene. Paul occasionally plays guitar, button accordion or banjo with the trio. He enjoys sharing the background of the composers and music scene from the early 1900’s era of this Italian music.
Gina Faber provides the beautiful harmonies on mandolin that round out the trio sound. She occasionally plays banjo or percussion in some of the arrangements. Jay Benforado provides impeccable accompaniment to the trio on guitar. |
La Traviata Selections,
by Giuseppe Verdi, Arr. Louis Tocaben |
Finiculi' Finicula'
by Luigi Danza, Arr. Flaminio Pignoloni |
The Typewriter
by Leroy Anderson, arr. Paul Oorts
by Leroy Anderson, arr. Paul Oorts