Meet Patrick Barnitt | Singer & Actor

We had the good fortune of connecting with Patrick Barnitt and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Patrick, why did you pursue a creative career?
Because I couldn’t imagine doing anything else. I realized pretty early that there was an element of insanity in pursuing the arts, but you have to follow your heart. You only go around once. I was very fortunate to have very supportive parents who encouraged my pursuits. My mom instilled in me the sense that I could do anything I put my mind to. There have been a few significant moments in my life where things clicked and I thought this is what I want to do. When I was 10, my mom took my brothers and I to see Dracula on Broadway. We were in the front row. Raul Julia played Dracula and he was incredible. That show had a profound effect on me. I sang “Mack the Knife” at my brother’s wedding in my early 20’s to a few hundred people. It wasn’t planned. The band was on fire and I felt like I was riding a wave. I felt in real time the effect music could have on people. What a rush. Around the same time, I was a stage hand for a Tom Jones concert and watched him from the wings. Just a few feet away. Wow. What a legend. And I thought. That’s it.

Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.
I’m a singer/actor. I sing jazz standards in clubs and venues around the south land. The Great American Songbook. In the style of Sinatra, Bennett, Darin, etc. I work with a variety of different groups from a trio to a big band. I’ve been at this for a while now and I’ve been fortunate to play with some incredible musicians, and work with some tremendous actors. Bruce Davison, James Morrison, Danny Trejo and Patrick Stewart to name a few. I learned from each one of them. Countless nights at the Dresden Room with Marty and Elayne and other clubs around town. Singing at Bob Burns in Santa Monica with the late great, Howlett Smith and Larry Gales. Was it easy. Far from it. Trying new things. Meeting people. Being on the scene. Being on the set of Star Trek. All invaluable experiences. I’ve had the good fortune of having some wonderful mentors. Howlett Smith and my two uncles, James Johnson and Roy Barnitt who have guided my way. I heard a great quote by the late great legend, Tony Bennett. “That it takes about 10 years to learn what not to do”. This resonated with me. I do a pretty good Christopher Walken impersonation. At the end of the day, the only thing that matters is kindness. And gratitude for the opportunities and the people that have blessed your path.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
LA’s an amazing place to visit. We’d start off at El Coyote. Miceli’s or Dan Tana’s for dinner. All LA landmarks. We’d definitely visit the Dresden Room where my friends, famed duo Marty and Elayne played for nearly 40 years. Carl Ferrara opened the place in 1954. There’s always the Formosa Cafe, immortalized in the classic film, LA Confidential. Mann’s Chinese Theater. And then a nice ride up
Beachwood to check out the Hollywood sign. You can’t go wrong with a classic Pink’s Hot Dog. I’d take them for a ride down Sunset to check out all the legendary rock clubs. The Whiskey. The Rainbow or The Troubadour, right next to Dan Tana’s. Take a spin down to Venice Beach to check out the sights and sounds. A visit to LACMA/La Brea Tar Pits is always fantastic. I’ve always taken family and friends on a studio tour of Paramount or Warner Bros which is always a highlight. If there’s time, we’d take a ride out to Palm Springs and check out the mid century vibe and visit Melvyn’s, the legendary lounge where Sinatra and all the stars used to hang. We’d definitely have to visit The Hollywood Bowl for a concert, an iconic LA landmark. The New Beverly Cinema is also one of my favorite spots to catch a classic film. Pretty much my film school since I’ve been in LA. Owned by Quentin Tarantino.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
I’d like to give a shoutout to my friend, Mikael Healey, pianist and musical director of the famed Melvyn’s Lounge in Palm Springs. He directs the Jams and has been playing at Melvyn’s for almost 20 years. He was an opening act for Don Rickles in Vegas back in the day. He’s entertained millions of people through the years. He invites singers to play with him and his band every Sunday and has helped forge the careers of many. His friendship and support have been invaluable. He gave me my start out in Palm Springs.

My friend, Billy Paul. One of the finest drummers in the business. We’ve played countless gigs together over the years. He’s on a whole other level when it comes to swing. He’s been a great friend and mentor through the years. He coproduced my album SWAY. Billy is also one the funniest guys you’ll ever meet and has some of the greatest stories on the planet.

Linda A Smith. A great friend, jazz singer and booker of the Urban Press Winery in Burbank. Linda’s a fantastic singer and books and curates the Sunday Jazz Brunch at the Urban Press. She keeps jazz alive in this city.

Website: https://www.patrickbarnitt.com

Instagram: @patrickbarnitt

Linkedin: @patrickbarnitt

Facebook: @patrickbarnittlive

Youtube: @patrickbarnitt2002

Other: www.spotify.com/patrickbarnitt
www.imdb.com/patrickbarnitt

Image Credits
Bernadette Madden, Lauren Cooler, Robyn Von Swank, Robyn Von Swank, Kipp Tribble, Derik Wingo, Craig Allyn, Derik Wingo