The Stereo Image

For the month of September, Mike is talking to 2 of his good friends. He talks to them separately but they make up a comedy-juggling duo who have performed together for many years. Because of that, the humor gets a little… sarcastic, biting, and even sometimes harsh. With that disclaimer out of the way…
Today Mike talks with Scotty Meltzer. Scotty is the other half of the juggling-comedy duo at Comedy Industries. Scotty is incredibly smart, funny, articulate, and LOVES being the butt of the joke. That is certainly evident throughout this discussion!
Mike and Scotty discuss Scotty’s bad taste in music that originated from a childhood in musical theater and drumming. They talk about how that translates to a corporate juggling act that relies on comedy and the variety arts to hype up an otherwise mundane message.
More info from this episode:
24 TV Show (Wikipedia)
Ribbons Down My Back (YouTube)
Katie Thiroux (YouTube)
Michael Goudeau (Wikipedia)
Ethel Merman - There's No Business Like Show Business (YouTube)
Sutton Foster - Anything Goes (YouTube)
Cynthia Erivo & Herbie Hancock - Fly Me To The Moon (YouTube)
Prog Rock (Wikipedia)
From Scotty’s website bio: Scott Meltzer (known as Scotty to his friend) is head writer and a principle performer for Comedy Industries. Scott has degrees in computer science and mathematics from U. C. Berkeley where he graduated with honors. An ex-IBMer and a Watson Scholar, Scott chooses to spend his time writing comedy and juggling knives on a six-foot unicycle while escaping from more straitjackets than any other computer programmer in the world. He’s also appeared on ESPN as the expert commentator for their coverage of The World Juggling Federation competitions.
Comedy Industries
Mike Jones bio: Born and raised in Buffalo, NY, Jones attended Berklee College of Music in Boston, and after college he remained in the city, working with such eminent local players as Herb Pomeroy and Gray Sargent. After significant East Coast performances, appearances at the Floating Jazz Festival on the S.S. Norway and the Queen Elizabeth ll, and a series of recordings that established him as a world-class pianist steeped in the pre-bop jazz tradition, Jones relocated to Las Vegas. There he caught the ear of Penn Jillette who, in 2002, brought Jones onboard for the nightly Penn and Teller show at Rio All-Suite Hotel and Casino.

Today Mike talks with Katrine Spang-Hanssen. She is a great juggler and drummer, a funny conversationalist, a lovely person, and one half of Comedy Industries.
Mike and Katrine discuss their love of jazz music, their experiences with other music growing up, and what it’s like to work in a performing duo. Of course the ultimate performing duo, Penn & Teller, come up numerous times.
Katrine is from Denmark! We’ll get that out of the way now because Mike continues a long running joke of confusing where she is from. But! She has lived in San Francisco for many years and tells about experiencing juggling and music in the bay area from the 1990’s to today.
For the month of September, Mike is talking to 2 of his good friends. He talks to them separately but they make up a comedy-juggling duo who have performed together for many years. Because of that, the humor gets a little… sarcastic, biting, and even sometimes harsh. With that disclaimer out of the way…
More Info for this episode:
Nat Cole Trio - Bring Another Drink (YouTube)
Styx playlist on YouTube
Abba Greatist Hits playlist on YouTube
Jesus Christ Superstar playlist on YouTube
Penn & Teller's Secret to a 50 Year Partnership - article in New York Times
From Katrine’s website bio: Katrine Spang-Hanssen is one the world’s premiere female jugglers. She has toured the world opening for stars such as Kenny Rodgers, Willie Nelson, and Natalie Cole. She’s performed at hundreds of comedy clubs, fairs, festivals, colleges, and theater productions. Together with Scott Meltzer and the rest of the CI group, she has performed an infinite number of trade show presentations and sales meetings, presenting for corporate clients ranging from startups in 10×10 booths along the back wall to Fortune 100 diamond sponsors.
Katrine & Scotty's juggling duo: Comedy Industries
Katrine's band: Shake It Booty Band
Mike Jones bio: Born and raised in Buffalo, NY, Jones attended Berklee College of Music in Boston, and after college he remained in the city, working with such eminent local players as Herb Pomeroy and Gray Sargent. After significant East Coast performances, appearances at the Floating Jazz Festival on the S.S. Norway and the Queen Elizabeth ll, and a series of recordings that established him as a world-class pianist steeped in the pre-bop jazz tradition, Jones relocated to Las Vegas. There he caught the ear of Penn Jillette who, in 2002, brought Jones onboard for the nightly Penn and Teller show at Rio All-Suite Hotel and Casino.

Jonesy and Michael Close explore the intertwined worlds of music and magic, delving into Michael's early influences, his journey into both fields, and the challenges he faced as a performer in Las Vegas. They discuss the importance of mentorship, the evolution of live music in Vegas, and the realities of pursuing a career in the arts.
In their conversation, Jonesy and Michael Close delve into the intricacies of cocktail piano performances, the challenges of solo gigs, and the evolution of audience engagement. They share memorable stories from their musical journeys, reflect on their influences, and discuss the impact of technology on music learning. The conversation also touches on the future of jazz and the role of magic in entertainment, particularly through the lens of the television show 'Fool Us.'
More info from this episode
Dave McKenna plays Nobody Else But Me (YouTube)
Ben Patterson at the Green Mill (YouTube)
Lance Burton (YouTube)
Penn & Teller's Fool Us on the CW
 
More info about Mike Close
Mike Close
Magic by Mike Close on Vanishing Magic, Inc