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25 June 2005 : The great Gino Vannelli
The very first e-mail almost live from Syracuse right after the Gino Vannelli soundcheck / rehearsal of Saterdaymorning 25 June 2005 from a very,very enthusiastic fan, Gino Vannelli fan !!!!!!
Here we go.........
Hello Barend and Trees!
I also shook his hand twice and got his autograph on a special "Yonder Tree" gatefold CD I brought!
I didn't really want to ambush him in the middle of doing his sound check, but when he left the stage to go sit in a back row, the two guys sitting with me talked me into approaching Gino. So we did, and he was so polite and gracious, as you would expect. He also let us take photos.
I will send you pictures later (probably when I fly home Sunday night).
My friend who accompanied me took quite a few pictures because my digital camera is new, and I don't really know how to work it very well yet. We and another gentlemen (Bill, who goes to the festival every year) were the only ones sitting in the front row of the VIP seating. Gino sang bits of "Wild Horses," "Walter Whitman," and "Parole Per Mio Padre."
Right now I am in music heaven--I can't wait to go back for the show!
I'll write again with the photos and more info. Subject : Vannelli Pours It On Sunday, June 26, 2005, By Mark Bialczak, Staff writer. Gino Vannelli brought a big band, small orchestra and huge energy to the main stage at the M&T Syracuse Jazz Fest on Saturday night at Onondaga Community College. The band rocked hard and well. The orchestra turned the hot night air lush with strings. And Vannelli weaved it all together with a voice that hit both the low and high notes seemingly with ease. The 53-year-old native of Montreal looked startingly well preserved, face smooth and hair curly just like back in the mid-70s to early '80s, when he scored his hits "People Gotta Move," "I Just Wanna Stop" and "Living Inside Myself." Vannelli, taking a moment from bouncing around the stage, even poked a bit of fun at his appearance when he told of his big moment meeting Pope John Paul II to sing his song "Parole Per Mio Padre (A Word to My Father)." "The pope kept telling me to come closer, come closer," Vannelli told the happy crowd. "I leaned in, he put his lips to my ear, and he told me, 'Do something with your hair.' " Vannelli did plenty Saturday night to keep his loyal fans squealing. They loved the hits, his jazz song "Yonder Tree," and his Italian. 
The Very first picture of Gino Vannelli live on stage in Syracuse, New York, USA made by Christopher Buckley
An e-mail from CB Christopher Buckley dated Sunday 26 JuneSubject : Syracuse was great!
Hi B&T, I'll send you a more detailed letter later on. I want to get my film in for processing and digitizing. I know that you are anxious for a report, but maybe I can send you a few pictures for posting on the webpage as well. Until later, Christopher Buckley. Picture 1 and 2 and 3 and 4 and 5 and 6 6 pictures made by Christopher Buckley. THANKS CHRISTOPHER OUR New Jersey Gino Vannelli Reporter !!! Subject : Re: Gino Sound Check in Syracuse!
Hello, My friend and I were driving around the campus Saturday morning because the parking was still blocked off. A nice man named Terry took pity on us and invited us to follow him when I told him about Mr. Malfitano. Terry took us over to the VIP area behind the main stage, brought us some bottled water, and told us to wait under the tent until we heard music start. I eventually saw some of the band arrive and go on the stage after 9. We went down and started watching them practicing and tuning. This is when we met Bill, the local gentleman who goes every year to the fest. Finally, just when my friend said he thought Gino wouldn't be there, I looked up and saw Gino walk up onto the back of the stage! He unpacked his microphone and started testing. He also tossed promo T-shirts to the band members. It was after 10 by then, I think. Anyway, I told you most of the rest about the sound check, and I will send you the photos in the next couple of days. I've got more to tell, but my internet time is running out! I couldn't help but think of you two after the sound check because I know how much you guys love and support Gino! I'll write more when I'm back home in Washington state. Teresa Lillygren Subject : Syracuse Jazz Festival
Hi Barend and Trees, After arriving at the hotel and seeing a few of the "regulars" Joyce and I headed out to the festival. It was 97 degrees and really humid. I felt sorry for the musicians, all of them. After getting our wristbands, we sat in the front row and anxiously waited for GINO to come on. We had a wait too since we got there by 5pm. There were loyal GINO fans, young and old, sitting and waiting as well. There was a guy behind us, Paul, who had never seen GINO before and I started talking to him. He had goosebumps on his arms as I was telling him how good GINO's voice is and what a great show he puts on. He was more excited than anyone I think in the audience. We talked about Mark Kelso since he is a drummer and he asked about GINO's brothers and he really was excited to be there. He was screaming during the show as well as what seemed like the entire crowd. Before the show we had to go to the car and cool off since I thought Joyce was going to collapse from heat stoke. She can't handle the hot weather but she refused to go back to the hotel and miss GINO. I was glad that after an hour in the car, she felt much better. Once the show started it seemed like it had really filled up with people. There were a LOT of police officers around that weren't there for the previous shows. They didn't let people stand up near the barricades but we could go up to take pictures and come back to our seats. That felt a little restraining but... since we were in the front row, I couldn't really complain. I took a few pictures... a few hundred!!! Just so you could put them up for those who didn't make it to enjoy the show. I wonder if GINO can see all those flashes on stage??? Maybe I should ask him at the next show? I wasn't the only one with a camera though. There were many people taking pictures so hopefully, you'll get a lot of nice shots! A lot of the songs had some new arrangements to them and sounded great as usual. I thought the band was really "together" tonight and Mark Kelso was on fire! He had a great show and I thought played a great version of "People Gotta Move", twice! He really amazes me sometimes with his ability to "read" what GINO wants as they are on stage. David Goldblatt was great as usual and it is always a pleasure to talk with him.
Gino got presented with a plaque from Frank Malfitano declaring June 25th, GINO VANNELLI DAY! I sent a picture of that to you. We hung out after hoping to get picture opportunities but GINO never came out. We headed back to the hotel and as we pulled in, so did the white limo and GINO got out and we got some pictures and autographs. He was talking to this lady Marie and she told him of her long trip to get to see him and he gave her a kiss. I could have sworn I said this to myself but apparently I said outloud, quietly,..."Geez, I've been to like 8 shows now and I've never gotten a kiss". Without hesitation, GINO leaned over and gave me a kiss!! I had no words to say since I THOUGHT I had only THOUGHT what I actually said! What a moment. He is such a good natured person and really cares about his fans. Okay, so my night was complete now. Rob and Chrissy and I sat in the bar area, freezing, talking and sharing stories, pictures and whatever else we could think of till 2 AM. It was a great night and one of the bands that was on before GINO was playing in the bar and everyone was having a great time. It was just fun having all that time to get to know Rob and Chrissy and see all of Rob's pictures and look through my digital camera and comment on GINO and his expression, etc. We decided to head to our rooms, and Rob back to Buffalo, about 2:30 or so.
After packing up our rooms and the car, we finally headed for home. It was a great experience and I can't wait for the next GINO show. I have to say, many of the fans asked where Toni was. ( I didn't realize how many people read about her at the Artpark show). She DID come but decided that spending the day at "Build A Bear" was a better choice than coming to see GINO. She did get to see him at breakfast and got to be in a picture... she wasn't excited at all. Kids... what do they know?!?!? Great show GINO, can't wait for the new music, tour and memories to be made. Another great performance by The Master Of Music!!! Patti.
Subject : GINO in Syracuse!
Good Morning Barend & Trees,
Wild Horses (Jazzy kick a-- version Great Start)
GINO sang and danced his way through all the songs on this very HOT HOT evening. Thank You! Thank You! Thank You! to GINO and his band for an unforgettable evening of SPECTACULAR MUSIC!!! GINO , YOU ARE THE MASTER! Love, Mary Lou. PS . I will be leaving on Wednesday to travel to Canada for the shows on Thurs. and Friday. I will be in touch next week upon my return back home with thoughts regarding those shows. Until then I am enjoying all the pictures from Syracuse. Subject : here's another one of Gino.... fabulous as always! Good Morning my Friends... Click on the numbers for Judy's pictures 1 - 2 - 3 and more to come........... Subject : Gino Vannelli
He was brilliant!  Dear Barend and Trees:Everything is great here -- Gino is GREAT. The concert was fantastic. I am still in awe of the Master of Music!!! And he is just tooooooo handsome. It will be memories weekend. My friend loved the concert too, as well as my Son, and he has a new fan. I've ordered the Canto CD for my Friend as a surprise! I also told him (and a few other people) about your website so he can visit it too. We all have to keep those numbers up! I see the concert was well covered by everyone!!! When I read all of the stories and saw the pictures the next day I felt like I was back there again. Everyone did such a wonderful job. They captured just about everything I saw. Thanks !!!!!!!! God bless you, Karen, the 10th of July 2005. Dear Barend & Trees:I forgot to mention. Great website! Great concert! and... I will have his name fixed on our website! Thanks, Lee. 7-11-2005.
Well, toward the end of May I found out that my nephew was going to have his graduation day and a big family party on June 25th! So, to make a long story short, I did not get to go and see Gino and I am totally bummed out about it. It would've been my second Gino concert. I have enjoyed reading all the information I've been able to find on the concert. Haven't seen any pictures yet though, but I'm sure you'll be showing some soon! I hope all is well with both of you. Thanks for all the info you provide to all of us Gino fans. If it wasn't for you, I would not have even known about the Syracuse concert.
Enjoy Gino when he comes to Holland! 
Subject : Gino Sizzled in Syracuse!!
Hello My Friends...I'm still coming down from a fantastic GINO CONCERT!!!! The Band was phenomenal as always... GINO hit his high notes as well as his low notes... His voice just keeps getting better and better... All of us were sitting right in front... These were the VIP seats and you had to have wrist bands to sit there... WELL... there was no way I was going to watch GINO on a big screen so Saturday afternoon we went to Cyndi's Hotel... GINO was staying there as well and we met a woman who gave us a name to ask for backstage... We certainly did!!! We got 6 wristbands and sat right in the front row... As soon as GINO walked on stage we were up and screaming!!! He does that to a person.. We saved a seat for Rob as well... It was hotter this year than last year... But we braved the heat to have our front row seats... GINO was presented with a dozen red roses and a Plaque declaring it GINO VANNELLI DAY!!! He did 2 encores and you know it's never enough of GINO to satisfy the soul!!! After the show a few of us went backstage because there were too many people for him to come out and do an autograph signing... He was very gracious and sweet as always... Frank, Cyndi, GINO and I took a picture together... I talked with GINO for a little bit and then we went back to the Hotel... His white Limo pulled up and the band members got out as did GINO!!! People greeting him and the band couldn't say enough about the show!!! As long as I've been going to see GINO his shows are always different.. He'll put a new twist on an old song and it's like your hearing it for the first time.... The Man is definitely "The Master of Music"... It was another wonderful experience with old friends and a few new ones... You Gotta Move...You gotta Groove... Be Well and we will all be enjoying your site this summer.. I hope your vacation was a restful one... Peace and Love...
Dear Barend and Trees,Spent the morning gathering my thoughts:
PART 1 : I found out through other people wearing the bands that they had to be given to you by a sponsor. I had tried to talk to someone about getting the passes for all of us from Delphi for Gino but was very unsuccessful. The person was way too busy to listen was only going to give me 2 and no more!! In frustration I went back to my seat and told my husband what had happened and he said, "knowing you, you will find a way to work it out for tomorrow evening". Once the show started, I settled down and I was amazed at the trio on stage. I have seen Bela before but not Jean Luc or Stanley. Watching 3 masters on one stage all at the same time was a great opportunity. It air cooled with a nice summer breeze and it rest of the evening turned out to be perfect. Saturday morning I called Donna and Judy at their hotel and told them about the situation with seating. This just added fuel to us "hot Italian women". The three of us were on a mission to get up front for the show. Between Judy and I making phone calls we still were without wrist bands. Now I was starting to get anxious over this!!! Again, I thought, in the end it always works out so I would just pray for it to happen the way it is to be............ My husband and I spent the morning walking around the city in the heat!!! It was to be about 95 that day. We later found a great restaurant near Little Italy for a late breakfast. Around 3:00 in the afternoon Judy and Donna came over to the hotel so we could meet in person. We sat in the lobby chatting about Gino and still trying to figure out how we were going to get in the front for the show. Patti soon checked in and joined us for a few photos and conversation. Soon the band members from Ilona Knopfler were in the lobby as well! I talked to one of the band members who told me not to miss the show. I said I would plan to be there. With them was a very nice woman who told Donna that a woman by the name of Susan should be able to get wristbands for us. So they left around 4:00 to head out to the show to see what they could accomplish.
Later on sometime between 5:45 p.m. and 7:00 my prayers were answered........
From the hotel lobby I talked to Donna and she was able to get us wrist bands and then as fate had been pre-planned, I saw Gino, Ives and the band and I was given an all access pass which later on came to be a huge benefit to a small group of us!!!! For this I am completely gracious.........and amazed how everything in life is time critical!!! My husband couldn't believe it either. I told him I was just glad he was there to witness it!!
Unfortunately we missed Ilona who I was told was wonderful. But..........it wasn't meant to be. Dear Barend & Trees,GINO's MUSIC is what it's all about. Oh how that man can move your body and soul with his powerful voice. One of the best feelings in life. Thanks for all the news and picture updates. I appreciate all your hard work and dedication to GINO. Bye for now, Mary Lou, 6-28-2005. Good evening B&T...I've been reading the reports from Syracuse... another great concert by the Master of Music... and Patti's pictures are wonderful!!!! Thank you, Patti for sharing and thank you, Barend and Trees for keeping the website up to the minute!!! Montreal, here we come!!! Gail.....Kansas City... 29 June 2005. To all of my musician friends, supporters, sponsors, hosts, allies and brothers and sisters:Thank you for making this weekend's M & T Jazz Fest 2005 in Syracuse the astonishing success it was. It was a sensational festival in every regard - PERHAPS OUR FINEST HOUR AND BEST FEST EVER - and despite my being completely wrapped up and immersed at present in necessary wrap- up and follow up activities, I wanted to take a moment today thank you all for your role in this. Firstly and foremost, my thanks to the Creator and my lord and savior for blessing us with three beautiful sunny days and for the astonishing music I was privileged to present on our stages. To the one who made us all, I pray for his continued guidance, love and protection and praise him for giving me the many friends I have who support and believe in this mission and crusade. To my beautiful and soulful and brilliant wife Kathy Rowe - for her unwavering and unyielding love and support - my love forever. When God sent you to me, he saved my life and gave me renewed strength to serve humanity, my community and this music that I cherish as much as life. To our amazing - AMAZING - artists - the place where it all begins - we thank you for sharing the gifts of your artistry, creativity, dignity, humanity and musical excellence. A special shout out or two to some very special musicians and friends who came back to be with me again to remind everyone of what it's all about.......Randy, RanBop, Randroid, Gino, Bill, Smokey, Jean Luc, Bela, Stanley, Will, Hiram, Toph-E, Cliff, Dream, Andre, Ron, Ilona, Danny, Corey, Bird, and all of the rest of the cats who made it happen. You're the reason I'm here. Thanks for giving me life and friendship....the greatest treasure of all. As far as I'm concerned,.....you're all too hip for the room. To Ilona and Jay and Paul for writing and dedicating a tune to me......I'm thrilled beyond words and almost speechless. To my agent friends at the national level - thanks for believing in me and putting up with me again........especially DJ, Bobby and Marshall. To our superb CNY-based artists - many of whom have been with me for the past 23 years or more - you acquitted yourselves brilliantly at the festival and we're forever in your debt for keeping the music alive night in and night out. You will always be a part of this festival as long as I'm breathing. David, Edgar, Jimmy, Ronnie, B B, Mark, Billy, Donna and Reggie, Charles and The Bells, ....without your love and guidance at the beginning, and your support through the past three decades, none of this would have ever happened. To Carol Jacobe and all of our other band directors and student musicians, you are the precious future of this music and it is a joy to have you on our stages. Special shouts to Evan Knight, The MPH Combo and The Greg Evans Trio for giving us hope for the future of this music. To our education director Steve Frank for another year of remarkable excellence and continued growth in service to our children - those that Steve Miller once referred to as The Children of the Future. To ALL of our distinguished artists and teachers and clinicians and educators, may God continued to bless and protect each of you. Many blessings for sharing your wisdom, your gifts and your hearts with our children. To my dear friend Mark Gummer at National Audio and to our stage, sound, lighting, production and operations crews and team - Stacey, Ulf and Brandon and John and Scott - ....you surpassed yourselves in staging a superlative event that transcends the 22 years worth of festivals that preceded this one. To Susan, Brian, Jimmy Nancy and Lynda and Bill, Beth and Willie and Cherene our artists relations team and transportation crew - on site and back at the hotel - a triple bravissimo on an outstanding performance, as always. Thank you for treating our artists and guests with the dignity they deserve. To our fellow cultural partners and CNY-based arts organizations, - Open Hand Theater, SSO, The Everson Museum and Syracuse Society for New Music - thank you for being a huge part of this amazing affair. To our friends Tony Gasparre and Ed Trefzger at Jazz Week - we thank you for bringing your convention to Syracuse during festival week. What a great honor it was to have you and to host you. Thanks for letting the rest of the industry know about out festival this year. To our good friends at the Chamber and CVB - bravo on hosting our special guests who came from far and wide across the country to be with us this weekend. Bravo CVB! To my biggest supporters and dearest and closest friends, Patti Vinciguerra, Tracy Sparks, Debbie Sydow, Nick Pirro, Robin Toia, Allen Naples, Matt Schiro, Tom Owens and Lou Ann Mann, Pam Cerrone and Mona Golub, Sam and Joe Dell, Melanie Littlejohn, Norm Snyder, Bob Merriam and Don Wells, Kevin and Steve Jankiewicz, Lou Everding and Ray Grimaldi.......thanks for sticking with us and being there. Without you, it can't (and won't) happen. To our many friends and supporters in the CNY media corps - Mark, Gregg, Tim, Kathy, Butch, Kenny, Rick, Dollar Bill, Eric, Joe, Russ, Julie, MIke, Chuck and Mary Claire, Molly- thanks for telling folks the gig was on and that it was happening! To Debbie Sydow and your amazing staff at OCC - KAREN, Thom., Joe, Jay, Dave, Janet, Maria, Amy, Russ, Anita et al - THANK YOU for letting me serve my beloved alma mater OCC. I am deeply honored to be in service to the college I love so dearly and deeply. To Nicky Pirro - for supporting my cultural agenda for the third decade.....my deepest respect and gratitude always. If only they were all like you Nick. What a wonderful world this would be. To Frannie and Lou and Darlene and Barb and Andy and Deb and the gang at LPM - there's NO better ad agency in America. Maybe on earth. To my mentors and teachers, Bill Graham and John Sinclair....for showing me how it should be done and how to do it right. Lastly, to those VERY SPECIAL friends in my life - who see me through the major ups and downs that are my life - and that no one sees hanging out behind the scenes who make all the difference to me when the spotlight's glare is gone, thank you for helping me keep it real. My beloved Kathy, my darling daughter Jenna , my dearest friends TOM & GRETCHEN, my sidekick Jack, my brother and sister Tracy and Patti, Oscar, Dr Jazz, Butch, Colleen, my soul brother Will & Sandrine, Timmy, Mark, Eric and Uncle Joe, Frannie, MIke and Eloise, Benny Mardones, my beloved and incredible mom who gave me life, and above all to my Creator for showing me my path and for keeping his righteous and mighty hand on my shoulder to guide me through this amazingly difficult walk. Without all of you .......this journey is impossible. I am truly, truly blessed to know you and have you in my life. Thanks for a great weekend. Let's do it again sometime . In the interim, and in the words of John and Paul.........."There's Nothing You Can Do That Can't be Done....There's Nothing You Can Sing That Can't be Sung.........All You Need Is Love" So......keep loving one another and keep making it happen. Every time you're a part of something like this........it's another brick in your house in heaven and the community is a far richer place. Frank Malfitano
Did you know they gave him an award and named June 25th Honorary Gino Vannelli Day??? It was so cool and they gave him flowers with the award.
When I told Gino I had come from Seattle just to see him, he mentioned he was from Portland. I said, “I know, but you never play the west coast!” That’s when he said, “Next year.” Great news, B&T! I was really excited to hear it (but if you don’t think this info is for public consumption yet, you can edit this out).
I hope these photos turned out OK. We took more, but I didn't want to bombard you with them in case it took a long time to download.
I'm sending concert pix to you in a separate e-mail!
Here we go with the pictures : (8)
June 29, 2005 :Dear Barend & Trees, After thinking about Gino’s performance at the Syracuse JazzFest, I decided to keep my comments "short and sweet" as others have provided you with a song list and other information. Yes, it was hot, but we would have been there in the rain with umbrellas! I’m glad that I was able to attend and that Gino had a large appreciative crowd. Gino seemed to be in a great mood and gave us a wonderful show. Life is good! (No "smokey" encounters and the lawns did not need cutting! (LOL!) I’m sorry that the maps look out of focus. There must be some sort of pixel breakdown from computer to computer, my copies look perfect. Everyone made it there safe and sound, that’s all that counts! Syracuse has a good system of well thought out roads, so other than a few missing signs to the OCC campus and a several lumpy spots, it was a cake walk to get around. I’ve sent you a few items from the JazzFest including a CD with more photos.
I’m sure that you are looking forward to several good days coming up in the next few weeks. By the way, this placed called Tivoli appears to be an amusement theme park. You mean that you can ride roller coasters AND see Gino Vannelli in one day? (It almost sounds too good to be true!) Hmmm, maybe I should go over to expedia.com and check out airfares after I send this to you!
Until later,
We started out sitting in the second row before the show, but two people got up and left (were they crazy?) before Gino came out, so we ended up in the first row next to a lovely couple, Terry and Ken from Pittsburgh, big Gino fans. I am going to send Terry some photos, as well. I won't repeat the song lineup since it's already listed, but I'll say every song was delivered with energy and great flair by Gino, who seemed to be enjoying himself tremendously. He told quite a few funny stories, and the only down side is that the concert had to eventually end... I loved everything he did, and I would like to have heard some more particular favorites like Omens of Love, Storm at Sunup, Put the Weight on My Shoulders, Wayward Lover, etc., but the truth is, he could have sung names out of the phonebook and I would have been thrilled! It was perfect, perfect, perfect! Can't wait to see him again and hear his new songs. I will spread the word about the upcoming CD!
Thanks again for your wonderful web site!!! Again 7 pictures from Teresa : Number 1 - Picture 2 - photo 3 - 4 - 5 - 6 - 7...
After arriving to the campus for the show I went to the front of the stage to find the rest of the Gino fans who by now were occupying the front seats. There were a lot of people scattered throughout the grounds but the front section wasn’t filled up so the director of the Jazz Fest Frank Malfatona invited anyone who wanted to come to the front to move closer!! At that point no one needed a wrist band!!! By the time the show was to start the crowd got larger and you could feel anticipation all around us. There were so many people!!! Several people sitting in back of us who had never seen Gino perform but had been listening to his music for a long time. Frank introduced Gino, and I can’t remember exactly how he phrased it, something like, “wait to you see Gino, he’s gained weight, got fat, lost his hair, and can’t sing”. Then whenever Gino walked out onto the stage, anyone who had not seen him in years were so surprised to see how fabulous and handsome he still looked!!!! As you can see from the pictures he was dressed comfortably in a pair of jeans and a white long sleeve button down shirt that opened at the neck just enough to “reveal” the hair on his chest!!! What I noticed mostly during the show that evening was how pleased Gino was with the bands performance. He was all smiles throughout the show, so connected to his musicians, directing each one as a conductor in charge of his proud band. They all gave an outstanding performance. Gino changed some of the arrangements to the songs which always impresses me. How many changes can he make to one song and still make it sound so fabulous!!! A baby grand piano was added just for David’s solo on Canto which was done beautifully. I thought the guys had more solo’s this time. Mark was amazing but I’m still waiting to hear him bust loose for a long solo !!! Gino joked around a bit and what had me laughing was whenever a huge moth flew onto the stage and Gino asked if it was New York’s state bird!! It kept coming back for more music. Maybe it wasn’t a moth??? I only saw it whenever Gino was singing. What more can I say than for me it was another wonderful evening with Gino and the band and I am glad that I was there for more Gino history. And yes, my husband enjoyed the performance as well back out of the speakers in his more comfy chair. After the show some of us waited hoping for Gino to come out afterwards. Since I had an all assess pass I was being coaxed by some friends and other fans to please go and get Gino for them. After about 20 minutes I said, ok, that I will try but who was I?? I felt nervous about it because he had not come out like usual but I would give it my best. Sure enough Gino graciously agreed but in the end Frank had me bring back a few people to meet with him. There were no body guards available even though I told Gino I would take care of him. LOL!! Frank probably was worried that Gino needed guarded from me!! I should have told him not to worry that I wouldn’t hurt him!! We needed Barend!!! Afterwards I was glad that I did go back stage and approach Gino because I know how I felt the first time someone took me to meet Gino!!! Dear Gino, thank you so very much for being so kind to all of us who love your music so much. We support you in all ways possible as long as forever is……as you already know. I am looking forward to your new album and more shows in 2006.
Take care and God Bless You. PLEASE include Pittsburgh in your upcoming tour!!!
Please know that our official photographer Chuck Wainwright will be sending you some of the most incrdeible Gino photos you've ever seen. Like Mr Vannelli, Mr Wainwright is one of the world's greatest artists. I hope you enjoy his work and hope you'll display it prominently on your site. I think Chuck is one of the finest photographers on the planet and that's why he's been with us for more than a decade.
I hope you enjoy his work and thanks again for connecting me to Gino Vannelli and his fans world wide. It's a great honor and privilege to be associated with one of the greatest musicians of my lifetime and of our generation. He's a true master and it's an honor to know him and an even greater honor to be able to present him in concert.
They're fantastic people and it's a GREAT site, and your work will be seen WORLD WIDE!
If I send it to you can you do a miracle?? I got some great shots of GINO in motion... I'll send them to you... You can pick the ones you like and feel free to post them to share with everyone... Ok so here is my story... GINO and the Band were fabulous... It wasn't anything like Artpark... That was a magical moment in time... But Syracuse was a different special moment due to the fact that it was my mom's first outing since the passing of my dad and my parents favorite song was " I just Wannna Stop"... We finally got a chance to meet Cyndi at the Hotel before going to the Concert... She is a sweetheart... And we have become great friends since Artpark through this web-site... We were on a mission that day to make sure we got wrist bands to sit in the VIP section right in front of the stage... Needless to say our mission was a success... You know the rest from Cyndi and Judy's story... I got a chance to talk to David for a minute before the show started and we were laughing because I told him since they didn't do Artpark this year that we had no other choice but to follow him to Syracuse... And he mentioned how Artpark was really something and I have to agree with him...
GINO is still an ANGEL from HEAVEN... He lights up my life and moves my soul... Thank You Mr. & Mrs. Vannelli for giving us this wonderful talented joy for the world to share... GINO makes his fans happy throughout the world... Especially in my life... His voice and his songs touch my heart like no other artist could ever do... BRAVO GINO for being one of a kind and a very special one at that!!! Thank you B & T for allowing me my space to express myself... Keep up the fantastic job on this site... It keeps us well informed on GINO...All the best to both of you... Also see the Judy's fan web page for pictures of Donna Marie and Judy and Friends !!! Free space and memory for Mr. Chuck Wainwright 's exclusive photos... Gino Vannelli photo's !!! As soon as the editors receive these pictures we will HTML them on this web page !!! Please have a look once in a while for wonderful memories. A "few" words from the editors : THANKS TO MR. FRANK MALFITANO and TO MR. CHUCK WAINRIGHT FOR THEIR SUPER FANTASTIC and TERRIFIC HELP AND SUPPORT TO BUILD-UP THIS WEB PAGE AND TO HONOUR GINO VANNELLI AND HIS LIFE'S WORK !!! ALSO BIG THANKS TO ALL THE GREAT FANS WHO BOMBED US WITH NICE, VERY NICE REACTIONS AND PICTURES... YOU ARE GREAT !!! WE IGNORE AND ALREADY DELETED THE GRAPEVINE AND "THE TALKING BEHIND BACKS" LETTERS AND E-MAILS... BE HONEST TO EACHOTHER SO WE CAN ALL LIVE IN PEACE AND ENJOY GINO VANNELLI'S MUSIC AND VOICE FOR THE FULLEST !!! WHEN WE ALL HEAR GINO VANNELLI'S VOICE BEAUTIFUL MEMORIES AND EMOTIONS MUST COME UP FROM OUR HEARTS... IT'S IMPOSSIBLE TO BE FRIENDS WITH EVERYBODY, BE FRIENDS WITH GINO VANNELLI'S LIFE'S WORK AND ENJOY IT WITH YOUR WHOLE HEART AND SOUL !!!
BUT... YOUR AND OUR THANK YOU'S GO TO GINO VANNELLI and His Musicians and His Crew FOR GIVING US SUCH JOY and for making our lives a little bit more wonderful !!! WE ALL NEED A GINO VANNELLI LIVE CONCERT ONCE IN A WHILE TO FEEL OUR OWN EMOTIONS AGAIN AND REALIZE THERE IS ALSO BEAUTY IN THIS CRAZY LIFE !!!
Open your heart to Gino Vannelli's Music
Anyway, I wanted to pass along that the Lucas episodes of Walker, Texas Ranger, are due to be aired on 18 July 2005 at 7:00PM Eastern time and 8:00PM Eastern time, according to the Hallmark Channel's listing. I have not seen these episodes myself yet but after all the emails on your site, I am looking forward to taping the shows and hearing Anton and Gino. Again, many, many thanks for keeping us life-long Gino Vannelli fans informed and up to date. I'm hoping to catch one of Gino's Canadian performances early next year. Best, Patricia M. Orlando, Florida, USA 07-05-2005.
GINO and the band were SUPERB!
I will write and tell all about our trip to Canada.
Thank you for hosting the definitive gino vannelli information site on the internet. I've been a big gino fan since his first album and hearing him live during the brother to brother tour in columbus, oh. in 1979. My wife kat and i couldn't make the detroit show so we decided to do a "road-trip" to syracuse and then drive straight home after the show ... 1100 miles! This was her first gino concert ... we are still pumped-up and haven't been able to digest anything but gino music since the concert (maybe some steely dan). We arrived at syracuse at around 3:00p and waited to see gino while listening to all the other great artists at the jazzfest ... Frank really knows how to do it up right! We were so excited when security opened up the roped-off area that most of our pics are unsuitable for viewing ...here's one of kat in her shirt that drew a lot of comments from the crowd. We added "Canto" to our collection and are waiting for his return to the u.s.a. maybe next year?
Gregg and Kat Shively,
p.s. I received my confirmation in the mail for my ticket purchases for the concert at Brock University on January 11th, first row!! Also, a very nice person in the ticket office at the THEATRE HECTOR-CHARLAND sent me a season program guide with Gino's photo in.
Here are more Syracuse photos : I save all my memory for Gino too!
RE: Gino in Syracuse
RE : Gino At Syracuse NY Jazz Festival.
I don't know if any of you are going, I'm guessing it's too far to go, but if you are, please let me know.
RE : Gino Vannelli...
RE : Gino Vannelli...
Your site is wonderful!
Many music fans look forward to summer for one reason: music festivals. Though the Ithaca Festival is now fading into history, there will plenty of other choices around New York State from which to choose in the upcoming months.
Syracuse news : A feast of festivals!!!
About two months ago, I purchased a copy of Microsoft "Streets & Trips" 2005. It is mapping software that will find any place on Earth, but only provides roads for Canada & USA. The other limitation is that while you can send maps via e-mail, it has to be with the full version of Outlook. Outlook Express does not work. Now I understand why the EU is angry with Microsoft!
Anyway, I found the area and printed the following maps at increased zooms on my color laser printer and added some arrows and boxes to help you get there. I scanned them as Jpegs. (I can scan these as PDF files, but they are going to be a lot larger.) I think that these maps look better than Yahoo, but maybe that is because I'm convincing myself that they are! My thought was that you could put them on your website and have them open up as new windows and allow anyone to print them with their own printers. Better to have a map ahead of time then to have some mechanic look at you like you just got off the spaceship from Mars!!!!
I've also included some commentary.
This is an overview map of the area around Syracuse.
This is what I mean. They suggest taking exit 16. I don't even see 16, I see 16A and that is for another expressway! The truth is probably that the exit ramp splits. I would have been in Albany before I realized that something was wrong!
It looks like this campus has a "back door" entrance off of Rt 173 "Onondaga Rd". The police may have this closed off to be used as a "service entrance", but time will tell.
This map shows hotels relative to the OCC site. Almost every hotel/motel chain is represented. The local street is called "Carrier Circle" and is at Exit #35 off of Interstate 90 (New York State Thruway, a toll road). As of June 13, I had no trouble finding a room. The surrounding "Finger Lakes Region" is full of Victorian style "Bed and Breakfast" accomodations. They won't be cheap at this time of year and you better have a reservation, but what the heck, money is meant to be spent! CB dated 14 June 2005.
I'm bringing the digital camera (but it's new and I'm not very good at working it yet--haha), so I'll try to get some pictures at the sound check (if he does one) and at the show. I'll write to you afterward and tell you about it. Wish you were going so I could meet you in person and tell you how much I love your web site.
Good-bye until after the show,
Frank Talk
Music in all its forms has both liberal and conservative critics, but jazz especially suffers from a tug of war, with the purist, disciplinarian guardian sharing custody with the adulterous, permissive parent. In the two schools of thought rarely do the conservatives allow any outside influences to taint their beloved "art music," while the liberals invite any style to mingle and even corrupt the music until it becomes, in effect, jazz.
In advance of the 23rd edition of the Syracuse M&T Jazz Fest, being held Friday, June 24, through Sunday, June 26, once again on the campus of Onondaga Community College, executive producer Frank Malfitano finds himself in the middle of this argument after booking fringe performers like Gino Vannelli and Smokey Robinson as headliners. However, Malfitano insists that, since its 1982 inception, the purpose of Jazz Fest has been to educate the public about this improvisational art form. As such, he justifies his decision to bring in performers who, as he says, "exist along the African-American continuum."
After all, Malfitano is merely following a national trend that calls for commercialized music to attract a crowd; the upside to booking multi-stylistic events is that jazz receives more exposure than it normally would at a "pure" jazz festival. Or as Malfitano sums up, "To be able to perform in front of a crowd that sometimes swells to 25,000 does a lot for jazz."
The model for the mixed-genre jazz festival is not new and continues today. Even the birthplace of jazz, New Orleans, had teeny-bop rapper Nelly perform at this year's Jazz & Heritage Festival. Or consider two true music proponents from the 1970s: John Sinclair, producer of the Ann Arbor Blues & Jazz Festival, and Bill Graham, owner of the Fillmore East and West concert venues who infamously closed down the two hot spots because he had ethical concerns with the music business. Malfitano claims these men as inspiration as he continues to model the Syracuse M&T Jazz Fest after their example of quality over style.
Malfitano has a history of booking outside-the-genre artists like the Yellowjackets, Ray Charles and Chaka Khan, yet he hasn't actively excluded traditional jazz musicians from his roost, either. The festival has an appropriate track record, presenting players throughout its history including Dizzy Gillespie, Terence Blanchard, Freddie Hubbard and Chick Corea. And this year's modern jazz stars include the Ron Blake Band and the Randy Brecker-Bill Evans Soulbop Band.
Moreover, apart from the essential educational aspect of Jazz Fest, whose components have visibly expanded over the past 23 years to include scholastic bands and professional workshops, Malfitano wants to put on a great show. According to Malfitano, African-American music, from jazz to Motown to rhythm'n'blues, consistently falls into the realm of "quality music."
In today's moneygrubbing music industry, even a bill complete with the most accomplished performers has a real potential to fail if it cannot pen a celebrity name into its program. And Bela Fleck, from Friday's headlining Trio!, Vannelli, who performs Saturday, and Robinson, crooning on Sunday afternoon, are well-known talents, albeit from different schools of varying styles. That was Malfitano's major point in dividing the Syracuse M&T Jazz Fest into three distinct days, highlighting fusion jazz, pop and soul.
Q: What is your reasoning behind having such diverse artists at the Syracuse M&T Jazz Fest?
A: There are a lot of reasons. The primary reason is to call attention to the art form. I think the best way to do that is to present forms that exist along the African-American continuum. There's an obvious connection between gospel and blues and rhythm'n'blues and funk and jazz, and not just in terms of musical structure, but in terms of culture. It's really important that we educate people about their art forms and I primarily see myself as a nontraditional jazz educator, existing outside the classroom, using the festival as an educational tool.
It's really important, and not just from a sponsorship standpoint, to attract a large audience. I've had many, many jazz artists tell me they love playing our festivals because pop and soul and r'n'b and crossover acts draw in huge crowds they never get to play for. At a pure jazz festival they're lucky if they get a couple thousand people. To be able to perform in front of a crowd that sometimes swells to 25,000 does a lot for jazz.
I'm sensitive to the tradition and I respect the tradition, but I don't see my role as serving the tradition by providing "pure jazz." I've never allowed the jazz police to influence the kind of stuff I present. This is our 23rd year outdoors and we're the best-attended, longest-running, largest festival with the biggest name artists and I think that speaks for itself.
Q: You are quoted as saying that Smokey Robinson is the biggest superstar you've presented in a number of years. Does that refer to the last time Ray Charles performed here in 2000 and did the success of Charles' appearance influence your decision to book Robinson?
A: There's no question that it had an effect on me. When we presented Ray it was the biggest crowd we ever had, but Ray was a multi-disciplinarian. He was a singular artist like Aretha {Franklin}. There are very few people on the planet in that stratosphere and I think Smokey is one of them. Everybody knows who Smokey Robinson is and you want that common denominator. So in part it was born in working with Ray on a number of occasions and also I worked with Smokey in Detroit and I've seen Smokey in Detroit. I really thought that would translate well here. He's still at the peak of his form; he's still in great voice.
It's the show-business tradition that I find lacking today: It's a little bit Vegas, it's a little bit Tin Pan Alley, it's a little bit Broadway, it's a little bit Hollywood. It's a great tradition and it's dying out and I think it's important to present Smokey. I'm really pleased that we've been able to present great r'n'b and pop and soul legends like Chaka Khan (2003), Roberta Flack (2002), Dionne Warwick (1999 and 2003), Al Jarreau (2002), Smokey and Ray Charles. It's really exciting and I don't think these are folks that are getting airplay anymore. I don't think these are folks that you traditionally see outside of a casino and not everybody goes to a casino showroom to see a show, so I think it's great that the festival is there as a vehicle to present these artists.
Q: Why do you think the tradition to which Smokey belongs is dying out?
A: I think the current generation of hip-hop and rap artists is incredibly talented, but I also think they're misguided. I don't think that popular music in America has ever been in worse shape. I'm hardly an old fogey or a moldy fig and I really try to stay current and stay on top of everything that's going on in the business. You're looking at a culture that's being weaned on American Idol and some really, really bad BET and MTV stuff that's really misogynistic and racist and I don't think it has a lot of merit. I think it's a communicative device for a lot of young people, but I don't think it has much to do with music. That's why I'm so hellbent on presenting quality music, because it still exists.
I presented Gino Vannelli in Detroit {May 21} to a sold-out audience at Music Hall Center for the Performing Arts and people were blown away. His voice is exactly the way it was 25 years ago; he hasn't lost anything. He's working, but he's not filling up stadiums like he used to. People aren't getting to hear his music because it's just not the way that niche radio is formatted these days and it's just not something that's gonna get a lot of airplay. So I'm glad that the festival can give people a platform where they can showcase their arts.
Back to the mainpage of the concerts links... Back to the top...
Go to Go back to Patti's slide show number 1 Patti's Syracuse slide show 1 Go back to the slide show with 30 Gino Vannelli pictures Back to home page 1... To the pre-fun and the Detroit 2005 web page...
 The Summer of 2005 : Detroit - Syracuse - Shawinigan - LaSalle - Copenhagen - Amsterdam - Groningen.
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Subject : Gino Sound Check in Syracuse! Date 25-6-05 Time 19:13 (NL) = 13:13 (USA)
Sunday came early... Toni was up at dawn and wanted breakfast so by 8 we went down for breakfast. Within an hour or so everyone in our room slowly met us for breakfast. As we were sitting there GINO walked in and sat down with one of the guys in the band. After he finished eating, I asked him to sign the 45 I got off the auction and he happily did for me and posed for yet another picture.
The heat in Syracuse was overwhelming and GINO just brought on more heat and fire to his performance... He opened up with "Wild Horses" very jazzy... He put a new twist on all his songs which makes it sound like the first time hearing it!!! Canto got a standing ovation!!! It's to be expected...Every chance Judy, Cyndi and I got we were up and dancing... Of course security was tight and not appreciated because how can you not groove and move to GINO...I t's very hard to stay in your seat when that man starts to dance and sing and conduct all over that stage... I bought a CD that I already had just so I could have him sign it..He didn't come out for signing....So Thanks to Cyndi who had an all access pass she was gracious enough to bring a few of his fans back stage...GINO approved it...He's still his own boss!!!! He was wonderful to the people that were back there and never makes you feel like you are a bother to him...Also GINO if you ever do see this...Johnny Cala from Mulligan's in Buffalo wanted me to let you know that you and Joe are the two nicest men that he's had the pleasure of meeting and that week-end at Mulligan's he will always remember...We are looking forward to St. Catherine's show this Jan. with Judy, Cyndi and Rob...Who I met for the first time in Syracuse...Can't wait for his new CD.. I will go to Canada and buy it before it hits the states...