Steve Salerno's Biography
"I'm living in a kind of daydream, I'm happy as a king," Steve Salerno sings on his latest CD. This sentiment explains exactly how the pianist/vocalist feels when he performs the music he loves the most.
Released in April 2005, "Steve Salerno" welcomes us into his world of Jazz standards and other classic pop songs. "I recorded this CD 'live' in the studio. I wanted the feel of performing in a club setting, so we sat in a circle in the studio and did just that. No isolation, no overdubs, any mistakes....back to the top!"
On his self-titled release, Steve chose a wide selection of Jazz standards from the Great American Songbook. "I wanted to give the listener a more interesting variety of songs," says Salerno . "I tried to touch upon several different jazz styles." Steve accomplishes this in two ways: his swinging, straight-ahead style of playing piano and his smooth, romantic, style of singing.
These different styles are quite evident on Steve's recording. The "New
Orleans Medley" takes us on a journey down Bourbon Street . "I had a traditional New Orleans funeral march in mind when I did this medley," Steve says. There are beautiful ballads such as "What'll I Do" and "The Very Thought Of You." "Playing or singing a ballad is what I love to do the most," Steve continues. "My deepest feelings and emotions are unveiled when I perform a ballad."
Steve can definitely swing! "Candy" and "Cheek To Cheek" are perfect
examples. "I can't get enough of the collaborations between Ella Fitzgerald and Louis Armstrong," Steve says. "I had these in mind when I did the duet with Aubrey Parasolle on 'Cheek To Cheek.'"
Outside of the Jazz standards, Steve shows his ability to sing in other languages. Since he speaks Italian fluently, "Parla Piu Piano" was a natural selection. "I love the Godfather movies," Steve continues, "'Speak Softly Love/Parla Piu Piano' is one of the most beautiful songs I have ever heard, sung in English or Italian!" Steve is also a big Perry Como fan. "'It's Impossible' makes me reminisce not only about happy memories of my family and growing up," Steve continues, "but also about really good songs that were written into the 1970s!" "I didn't realize until recently that the person who wrote the song, Armando Manzanero, is a Mexican romantic composer," Steve asserts, "and I wanted to do justice to the song by singing it in Spanish as well as in English." |
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Born and raised in Newark , New Jersey , Steve Salerno grew up with a strong musical background. He began his musical studies on guitar at 7 years old. "My father gave me an album by Les Paul back then," Steve says. "This was my first exposure to Jazz, and I can thank him for that!" At 13 years old, Steve began to play piano. "At that point, I was playing guitar, piano, violin and mandolin," Steve continues, "I quickly realized that I had found my true love in the piano."
Steve's musical influences are two giants of Jazz, one a singer and the
other a pianist: Tony Bennett and Oscar Peterson. "Everything I strive to do in music is best exemplified by these two incredible men!" Steve also grew up with a healthy dose of singers like Frank Sinatra and Nat "King" Cole, and pianists such as Art Tatum and Erol Garner. Outside the realm of Jazz, you can find Steve constantly listening to artists like Elvis, Bobby Darin, Perry Como, Jimmy Roselli, Jerry Vale, Luciano Pavarotti, Andrea Bocelli, and Giuseppe DiStefano. Steve jokes, "It's not too hard to figure out that I grew up in an Italian household!!"
Steve has performed in numerous clubs and restaurants in the New York/New Jersey area. Just to name a few in New Jersey : Trumpets Jazz Club, The West Orange Manor, The Highlawn Pavilion, Palazzo, The Marlboro Inn, Sonoma Grill, Frankie & Johnnie's, I Fratelli, Milan , Bruschetta and many, many more! Some of the New York spots where Steve has performed include: The Monkey Bar, Bondini's, The Madison Bistro and Southern Comfort just to name a few. Steve has performed at outdoor Jazz Festivals like the one at Riker Hill Arts Park in Livingston , New Jersey . Steve has even made an appearance on Fox's Good Day New York.
We have a lot to look forward to from Steve Salerno. He has touched us with his style of Jazz music, both swinging and romantic. "I'm already thinking about the next CD," Steve adds, "it's time for strings and brass!" We can expect the best from this artist who continues to share his love and passion of Jazz music with us, now and always. |
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