MAY 11 • 2023 | 5
in my career. He wanted to
know about my role on the
Dick Purtan Show. I told him
I played a sidekick character
on the morning show known
as Big Al Muskavito. “Harry,”
I said, “I’m Italian by morning
and Jewish by night.” Little
did I know that line would be
revisited in a most surprising
way.
As the dinner party wound
down, I was surprised with
yet another invitation to team
up with Harry for a bonus
engagement that very night.
I was asked to drive him
back to his hotel! There were
no Ubers back then, but I
certainly was uber-excited.
And nervous. That was some
precious cargo.
SHOWTIME!
There was no formal
rehearsal prior to the benefit
performance, just a few
directions from Harry. I was
to follow his lead and repeat
the “Banana Boat” verses after
him. He knew enough about
me already to know I would
add some levity and trusted
me with the freedom to do my
thing.
I waited nervously in the
wings for my calypso debut,
dressed in a costume that was
the closest thing I envisioned
to an islander singer: large
ruffled colors from head to
toe. Call it goofy comedian
performs with strikingly
handsome international
singer. Sort of Martin and
Lewis meets “Belafonte and
Big Al.”
Just prior to my entrance,
Harry introduced me as
his surprise guest from the
Dick Purtan Show: “Ladies
and gentleman,” he boomed,
“Big Al Muskavito!” He then
added: “He tells me that
during the day he’s Italian
and at night he’s Jewish.” I
couldn’t believe it. It got a big
laugh, and I loved it. He most
certainly, and sincerely, had
listened to me at the previous
night’s dinner party.
I entered from stage left.
Harry stared in astonishment
at my get-up and said to the
audience: “I swear to God
folks, I had no idea this was
coming.”
We broke into the “Banana
Boat” song complete with
my loud off-key “Day-O!”
After the second verse, Harry
paused and turned to me and
said: “Smooth ... smooth as
grease.” To which I replied:
“Like Jamaican Rum.” The
sold-out audience of 3,000 was
roaring, and I was having an
out-of-body, joyful experience.
It was surreal.
I knew right then and
there that experience could
never be duplicated. But I
was wrong. So well-received
was the engagement that Roz
got Harry to return for the
following year’s Celebration of
Diversity program and yep, we
did it all over again in March
of 2001.
This time I came on stage
dressed as a nerdy tourist with
baggy shorts, loud colorful
printed shirt, black socks and
gym shoes, a Mickey Mouse
hat and an instamatic camera
draped around my neck.
Harry came over and put
his arm around me, turned to
the audience and asked: “Now
tell us the honest-to-God’s
truth … who’s cuter?” The
crowd howled with laughter
to which I replied: “Come on
HB, don’t put them on the
spot.”
He then suggested we
should make movies together.
“
Al, we should do either the
Odd Couple or Guess Who’s
Coming to Dinner.”
Yes, it was a different year,
a different costume, but my
singing was still the same
melodic mess, but, thankfully,
another sold-out Detroit
Opera House audience gave us
a grand reception.
You can “enjoy” three clips
from my two appearances
with Harry by going to
YouTube and typing in the
search bar “bigalmuskavito”
(no spaces). As I watch it now,
I get the same charge I had
back then and feel the same
sense of gratitude for Roz and
Harry for affording me this
once-(actually twice)-in-a-
lifetime experience.
AN ENCORE GOODBYE
As we concluded sharing
our memories of Harry
at the cafe last week, Roz
eloquently summarized the
blessing that was Belafonte.
“Harry just didn’t come
and perform,” Roz said.
“From his humanity to his
elegant physicality, he left
his essence, his spirit in
his talent and in his style.
Something about Harry
always lingered, like the way
a perfume lingers in the air.”
As we parted last week,
Roz perfectly and succinctly
summarized my special time
with Harry: “There was this
natural fluidity and symbiotic
occurrence between two
people, who met each other
over brisket dinner at my
house.”
Hmmm … “Brisket and
Belafonte” — that would’ve
been the perfect name to put
up on the marquee had Harry
and I ever taken “our” show
on the road.
Rest in peace, Harry
Belafonte. There is no doubt
that your memory will be for a
blessing.
Alan Muskovitz is a writer, voice-over/
acting talent, speaker, and emcee. Visit
his website at laughwithbigal.com,”-
Like” Al on Facebook and reach him at
amuskovitz@thejewishnews.com. (You
can find Roz @ rozcooperman.com.)
Roz Lullove Cooperman and Alan Muskovitz reminisce about Harry
Belafonte.