Welcome
Torre Del Greco a beautiful city nestled a few miles south of Naples, Italy is the place where I was born. Mount Vesuvius stood majestically over the city. Neapolitan songs rang throughout the streets being sung by women sweeping, fishermen returning from the sea and merchants selling their wares. As I walked home from school, I would hear my mother sing the old Neapolitan melodies.
Eventually, my parents packed their bags and we were headed for Brooklyn, New York. Assimilating into the culture, I would watch TV and was introduced to "The Monkees". A week later I was strumming an acoustic guitar. By the 1970's, my first band materialized - "The White Angels". Shortly after, the drummer and I broke away and soon the band "Reflections" came into existence. Joe Valente, a radio show host and promoter , at WHBI on the New York City FM dial, became our manager. Reflections began touring and opening shows for popular bands and artists from Italy such as: I Pooh, I Nuovi Angeli, Patty Pravo and Donatello to name a few. I also met well known musicians such as Steve Vai and Al Di Meola; two of the top ten guitar players in the world. On a side note, Steve Vai was having dinner with his mother at a New York supper club where I was performing. He enjoyed the effect I was using on my guitar and proceeded to ask me if he would be able to try it. Low and behold Steve Vai was strumming my guitar bruning up the stage.
During the late 80's I ventured out performing solo using a midi guitar with a keyboard module. This equipment gave me the ability to play songs as a four to six piece orchestra in Real Time Music. Performing for private celebrations, cruise lines : Holland America, Home Lines, Costa Cruises etc., and as a freelancer for entertainment offices: Faze4 Orchestras, Tommy Ricardo Entertainment, IGMC Music and Wedding Planner and others rounded out my career.
Today , as always, I enjoy sharing my passion of music with audiences. If you ever find yourself near one of my stages please come over and say, "Hello".
Santo