My Story Begins... Mom claims I could sing "Rose O'Day" when I was 13 months of age. My earliest recollection is listening to Italian opera; to the voices of Mario Lanza, Dick Haymes, Frank Sinatra, and Vic Damone. At age 5 I began to study concert accordion. By 12, I was granted a scholarship to the Brooklyn Conservatory of Music. As I matured I broadened my listening to Fred Astaire, Mel Torme, Billy Eckstein, Sarah Vaughn, Errol Garner, George Shearing, and Count Basie. My rebellious...
My Story Begins... Mom claims I could sing "Rose O'Day" when I was 13 months of age. My earliest recollection is listening to Italian opera; to the voices of Mario Lanza, Dick Haymes, Frank Sinatra, and Vic Damone. At age 5 I began to study concert accordion. By 12, I was granted a scholarship to the Brooklyn Conservatory of Music. As I matured I broadened my listening to Fred Astaire, Mel Torme, Billy Eckstein, Sarah Vaughn, Errol Garner, George Shearing, and Count Basie. My rebellious nature led me away from the classics to jazz, blues, and pop. I would sneak into Birdland as an underage teen to hear the guitar of Johnny Smith... I love music; it has inspired my life."
show more...
