Albert Castiglia

When blues powerhouse Albert Castiglia crossed paths with Bill
Murray, neither could have predicted the musical partnership that
would follow. In this captivating conversation with Greg Koch,
Castiglia pulls back the curtain on how a Hollywood legend became
his unexpected bandmate through a series of serendipitous
connections that began with Murray's brother John.

"If Bill Murray wants to play in your band, you let him in your
band," Castiglia remarks with characteristic humor. But beneath
the celebrity factor lies a genuine musical connection that has
taken them from intimate clubs to prestigious venues like Red
Rocks. Far from seeking the spotlight, Murray approaches their
collaboration with refreshing humility, insisting on equal
billing and content to play percussion while occasionally
stepping forward for a song. The audience response has been
electric, with fans sometimes appearing in Ghostbusters costumes,
moved to tears by Murray's magnetic stage presence.

Castiglia's own journey through the blues landscape reveals the
persistence required to build a sustainable career. From his
early influences (discovering blues through Clapton and Johnny
Winter's productions with Muddy Waters) to navigating the
catch-22 of needing both a record deal and booking agent
simultaneously, he speaks candidly about industry challenges.
After cycling through five agencies, finding the right
representation finally allowed him to expand from 100 shows
annually to between 150-200 performances a year.

The conversation touches on deeper themes of artistic growth,
with Castiglia recently incorporating Coltrane's "Afro Blue" into
his setlists after being inspired by Derek Trucks. He also
reflects on lifestyle changes that have sustained his longevity,
embracing sobriety after COVID and taking up boxing and Kung Fu
to maintain his energy for grueling tour schedules. "I do this
for the memories," he explains, capturing the essence of why
musicians endure the hardships of the road.

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