Debut Album Released!

Some History...

When I was 10 years old my mother, Catherine, bought me a guitar in hopes that I would find my voice because I was such an introverted and shy child. Anyone who knows me now would laugh if I said I was shy; so I guess mom's strategy worked! We always had a house filled with music and dancing so I was certainly a little different from the rest of the clan.

My mother brought me (dragged me) to our church to audition for the church folk group; it was so traumatic I can still remember the song I played. I sang the night they drove Old Dixie Down. I still sing at the same church today; Saint Adalbert's with my dear friend Joan Caddell.

In the early 1980's I began to study voice with Bill Inglass and became involved in the NYC cabaret scene. Then my focus shifted when I was introduced to Peter Prisco by my friend Karlus Trapp, who was studying guitar with Peter at that time.

From that moment on I was hooked on the timeless and beautiful music written by great composers like Hoagie Carmichael, Cole Porter the Gershwin's and so many others; basically the Great American song book. Things really came together when Peter introduced me to recordings by Chet Baker.

I know all of you Miles fans out there would disagree but I think the connection for me was that in addition to his horn playing; Chet Baker sang. His timing and the way he phrased lyrics was the same way he played a horn solo.

Peter Prisco has remained a dear friend and mentor to this day; it's been over 20 years since we first met. I have had the great fortune of working with bassist Bill Crow, drummer Tony Jefferson, pianist Vinnie Ruggeri, saxophone player Chris Garone, Bassist Earl Sauls and of course Peter. In the early 1990's I had a trio with guitarist Todd Bordanaro and Bassist Robert Funesti; currently I am working with guitarist Fred Crisson; a duet featuring a mixture of standards and just a touch of the blues.

I still love the intricate melody lines and the challenging chord changes of jazz music there is nothing else like it! But what I love most is the musicianship and camaraderie of the musicians themselves, they strive for perfection. No matter how many times a tune is played it can always be fresh with new changes and progressions or a split hair change in timing.

I have recently released my first CD entitled Of Course I do! And had the great pleasure of working with Bill Crow, Don Hahn, Peter Prisco, Peter Scattaretico and recording engineer Vito Liuzzi. Vito kept me company while I was in that dark lonely booth with the big microphone working on the vocals. My vocal coach Adam Roebuck worked with me to tame my Staten Island accent, no easy task mind you! I am thrilled that they agreed to lend their incredible talents to the project and will always be grateful.

And so the journey continues...so many great tunes so little time!