I have been writing and performing songs for over 20 years now. Plenty of practice, numerous shows and humbling experiences have brought me to where I am today; only to find that there is more practice, more shows and humbling experiences ahead. AND I would have it no other way… well maybe a few things could be different… ;)
My mamma told me that music has been in our family back to my Grandfather; as far as she can remember. My Grandfather was an eagerly anticipated singer out in the farming fields of a small town in Southern Calabria, Italy named Cardinale. My Grandfather also would make periodic visits to America and work on the Rail Road’s during the early 1900’s where I am sure he sang. Singing was simply a big part of life for my family and everyone else living in a small farming village. Singing was a way to pass the time while working out in the fields, courting a love interest, or for the sheer joy of it. Music in its purest form – which is something I sometimes forget.
I was born in Troy, New York where I grew up listening to the records my brother would play; (Beatles, Beach Boys, The Rolling Stones -- anything really) all the music that was popular during the late 60’s and early 70’s. Since I was only a few years old at that time, my guess is it sort of got hard wired in my brain.
Growing up I always kept in the corner of my mind the fact that I would some day get into the song- writing -- performing thing. But all things have their place and time, and much of my time during my early to late teens was spent running track. These memories of running track and
the experiences that I had have played a major role in helping define who I am. The college years are when I finally picked up a guitar and said ok, let’s begin. Music for me the next 10 years would be a labor of sweat, passion and need. I began playing in numerous bands, mainly trios with a slant on the Punk – Less Polished side of things. Some of my major influences at the time were early REM, The Violent Femmes, The Church, U2, to Bob Mould and The Replacements. My brother in-law John Quinn conveniently enough, was an already established guitar player when I began strumming away and played an important role in my early development – building my confidence and technical ability.
As I moved into my early 20’s and had a few bands under my belt, it was recommended that I may want to take some voice lessons and so I did. I met David Aldridge an excellent classical /opera singer and more so a great man who helped me find my own voice. I played in a few more bands as I journeyed through my mid to late 20’s taking with me the good and the bad. After a fairly devastating break up with my fiancé and my building intolerance and frustration with the ROCK music scene, I was told by an acquaintance/musician friend (Rich Valdez) that I may want to check out the Caffe Lena Open Mic; a very cool place with lots of history and welcome arms. When I arrived at my first Caffe Lena Open Mic, not only did I have a blast, but Lena’s did indeed provide a welcoming embrace; a place to take the load off and grow as not only an artist but as a person. From that point on my direction began to move towards the solo-artist, acoustic guitar thing and well… I played and played and played some more. Willie the Moak a singer-songwriter and now long time friend needs no introduction at Caffe Lena’s; simultaneously baking cookies, running the sound board and then performing himself - is the heart and soul of Caffe Lena’s Open Mic. Open Mic’s would not be the same without Willie. Willie the Moak guided my development as both performer and song-writer since I stepped foot in the Caffe. Sarah Craig who keeps the wheels turning at Caffe Lena began managing /booking the Caffe when I first started attending the open-mics and has now been both a long time friend and supporter of what I do.
All things in life bloom when the conditions are right. After watching the film ‘O Brother, Where Art thou’ I began to realize that there is great music out there of all genres that I can draw upon. Like I had found my singing voice years earlier; I now found my guitar. I realized playing the guitar is about expressing an idea, feeling or thought through melody; just that simple and for so long so elusive.
In 2004 I began recording my very first full length CD, aptly titled MAURIZIO. Before every Saturday afternoon recording session I would make a quick tour of the downtown Farmer’s Market in the Troy Atrium. It is there where I met my friend Tom Winslow. Tom Winslow is a 2nd generation Mississippi Delta Bluesman, who has traveled many roads, collaborated with such artists as Pete Seeger, Don McLean and gathered much wisdom along the way. My conversations and growing friendship with Tom is what helped me find my voice and rhythm on the stage.
On June 25 of 2005, I celebrated the release of my first CD at the Legendary Caffe Lena to a sold out house! I was extremely overwhelmed with every emotion you could think of as I watched the lines of people flowing into this small intimate Caffe to celebrate what I had done. This was an evening that stills fuels my fire to this day. That same summer I was notified that I had been selected as one of ten finalists in a national singer-songwriter contest held by the Vermont Solar Fest. This was my first time playing in front of such a large crowd (about 1,000 people) and the interesting thing I learned ironically enough is that it’s not really about how many people are in the audience, it’s about playing the songs to the best of my ability and enjoying myself. That’s it, whether it’s a small coffee house or concert hall.
Since the summer of 2005 my songs have been played on many of the local radio stations, specifically 102.7 WEQX a premier radio station in the Capital District. I played well over 200 shows in 2005 which provided me with invaluable performance experience and have continued this grueling pace with few breaks in between since then. I am really excited about what the future holds and continue to learn as much as I can.
My most recent NEWS is musical project S I M P L E Theory with my good friend Brittany Robichaud. Many exciting things lie ahead for this duo and also for each of us as solo artists. The trick is to keep the love – fun and purity of it preserved and then served up to the audience.
“Every show I play, I try not to have any preconceived expectation of what it should be. It doesn’t matter if I am playing alone in my house, for 1 person, or for 1,000 people. To me it’s all about having fun in the moment and simply being present to what is happening around me. My excitement comes from not knowing, and simply observing my own performance as it unfolds. Somewhere in the process of all of this, I try to find myself and the audience I am playing for”.
gorilla productions presents this battle of the bands! buy a ticket from us and we'll give you a free cd! come vote for captain kirk and the rocktopus!
Hello friend, Thanks for reading my blog. That one is really old, one day I will write a new one. I will pass the word to Jamey, but she is taken...sorry! Maybe we will get out to see you play soon!
Just a reminder that I'm playing tomorrrow night (Wednesday January 21st) @ 7:00PM at Caffe Lena (47 Phila Street in Saratoga). Cover is $3. Hope to see you there!
