Katy couple retires and puts out CD with new band

(6/05/07 - KTRK/KATY, TX) (KTRK) -- It's the return of smooth jazz thanks to a Katy couple. They're getting back into the music biz several decades later and they call themselves "The Barry Sea Paradox."

It's the favorite room in their house. Bobbie and Barry Siegel's music room is covered with old pictures, instruments and memories.

"Music brought us together," Barry said. "This is what we were supposed to do, but we wanted to make a living at the same time and it's no life to bring up children."

Bobbie plays the drums. Her husband, Barry, likes to wail on the sax. They are a duo that fits the name of their first CD, 'The Barry Sea Paradox.'

"Looking at us and what we have done and going back and playing smooth jazz, really funky smooth jazz, we go kind of wild on the stage, it is a paradox," Barry said. "It's not something you would expect."

Nearly 40 years ago, Bobbie looked more like Karen Carpenter, playing drums with a number of R&B groups. Barry played saxophone with jazz artists. Both were regulars in the New York club scene. Then came the ultimate career killer, they fell in love and got married.

"The first five years, we didn't see each other because I was working from 10 in the morning until four at night in New York City," Bobbie said. "I would get home at 4:30 and he would get up and 7 and leave at 8."

Barry began his own advertising business. Bobbie put away her drums. After 36 years, their children are grown and these grandparents are sprouting into a second successful music career.

"Now our children come in to see us,' Bobbie said. "The best memory was when my kids said, 'Mom, now I know how you and dad felt when you came to see us, because we feel like the proud parents.'"
(Copyright © 2007, KTRK-TV)

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