Aaron Caruso – Episode 3

Aaron Caruso – Episode 3

by | Sep 4, 2020 | Podcasts

On this episode of the Italian American Entertainment Podcast, Vince Chiarelli, of The Vince Chiarelli Band, talks to the great tenor and performer Aaron Caruso. Aaron has been performing for over 20 years, has headlined all types of venues from Performing Arts Centers to Italian festivals, and is a member of The Sicilian Tenors. Watch and listen as we talk about our Sicilian ancestry, how he got started in music, his career and more!

Aaron’s Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/aaroncarusosings

Aaron’s YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/user/aaroncaruso

Henry Mancini – The Italian American Composer

Henry Mancini – The Italian American Composer

by | Sep 3, 2020 | Blog, Musicians

Enrico Nicola “Henry” Mancini was born on April 16, 1924, in the Little Italy neighborhood of Cleveland, Ohio. Both his parents immigrated to America from the Abruzzo region of Italy. Henry’s love of music came from his father who was a flutist and encouraged his son to take up the instrument when he was eight years old. Four years later, Henry started playing the piano as well. 

Mancini enlisted in the United States Army in 1943. While in basic training, he met musicians being recruited by Glenn Miller. After his discharge, Mancini joined the Glenn Miller Orchestra, and in 1952 began working in the Universal-International Studios music department where he created scores for over 100 films. In 1958, he left Universal and began working as an independent composer. Mancini wrote scores for many different films during his career, including Breakfast at Tiffany’s, The Pink Panther series, Charade, Victor/Victoria, and The Glass Menagerie. He also scored music for television shows including Peter Gunn, Late Night with David Letterman, NBC Nightly News, and the theme songs for Newhart and Remington Steele.

Henry married singer Ginny O’Connor in 1946 and the couple had three children together – who all followed their parent’s footsteps and have enjoyed successful musical careers. Henry passed away from pancreatic cancer on June 14, 1994. During his lifetime he was nominated for 72 Grammy Awards (winning 20), 18 Academy Awards (winning 4), two Emmy Awards, and won a Golden Globe. Two of Henry’s songs, “Moon River” and “Days of Wine and Roses,” were ranked #4 and #39, respectively, by the American Film Institute (AFI) on its list of “100 Years…100 Songs.” AFI also ranked his score from The Pink Panther #20 on its list of “100 Years of Film Scores.”

Sources: HENRY MANCINI OFFICIAL WEBSITE, HENRY MANCINI INSTITUTE, GRAMMY AWARDS, AMERICAN FILM INSTITUTE, OSIA, Wiki

Stanley Tucci – Italian American Actor, Director & Writer

Stanley Tucci – Italian American Actor, Director & Writer

by | Sep 2, 2020 | Blog, Film

Growing up, my family used to play the Big Night soundtrack. I became obsessed with some of the songs, especially “5 Months, 2 Weeks, 2 Days” by Louis Prima. It wasn’t until I was older that I actually watched the movie. The film is not only funny, but touches on great Italian food, family and the immigrant story of trying to achieve the American dream. While I knew Stanley Tucci was one of the stars of the film, it wasn’t until recently that I realized he was also the writer and director of the film. Tucci has definitely been in some great films, but I still say Big Night is my favorite. 

Stanley Tucci was born on November 11, 1960 in Peekskill, NY, to parents Joan Tropiano and Stanley Tucci, both Italian American’s with roots in Calabria. He showed a strong interest in acting and theater when he was growing up. After graduating in 1982 with his Bachelor’s degree in drama, he moved to New York City and performed in productions both on and off-Broadway. In 1985, Tucci made his film debut in the critically acclaimed Prizzi’s Honor.

After a number of minor and supporting roles in a number of television and film projects, Tucci decided to write, direct and star in Big Night – a movie about Italian immigrant brothers working together to run a restaurant in New Jersey. Tucci won the Waldo Scott Screenwriting Award at the Sundance Film Festival for Big Night. In 1998, he starred in the television film Winchell and won a Golden Globe and Emmy Award for Best Lead Actor. Stanley has also starred in works covering a wide range of genres including ER, Monk, The Italian Americans, The Devil Wears Prada, The Hunger Games and Spotlight. In 2002, he starred on Broadway in Frankie and Johnny in the Clair de Lune and was nominated for a Tony Award for Best Actor in a Play.

Ron Onesti – Episode 2

Ron Onesti – Episode 2

by | Aug 31, 2020 | Podcasts

On Episode 2 of The Italian American Entertainment Podcast, Vince Chiarelli, of The Vince Chiarelli Band, interviews Ron Onesti. Ron Onesti is the CEO and President of Onesti Entertainment, which manages and books entertainment at The Arcada Theater in St. Charles, IL. Ron is also a tireless proponent of all things Italian American. On this episode, we talk about where in Italy Ron’s family is from, his entertainment venues, the multiple Italian festivals he produces around the county, and what he hopes the future brings for Italian American entertainment.

Find out more about Ron, the Arcada Theater, his festivals and more at www.oshows.com

Joseph Barbera – The Italian American Animator

Joseph Barbera – The Italian American Animator

by | Aug 27, 2020 | Film, Television

10 Interesting facts about Joseph Barbera:

  1. Joseph Barbera was born in Little Italy, New York, to Italian immigrants Vincent Barbera, born in Castelvetrano, and Francesca Calvacca Barbera, born in Sciacca, Italy. He grew up speaking Italian.
  2. During high school, Barbera worked as a delivery boy for a tailor.
  3. After years of working as a cartoonist and artist, he left New York in 1937 to work for the new Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer (MGM) cartoon unit in California. His desk was opposite that of William Hanna.
  4. In 1940, Hanna and Barbera jointly directed Puss Gets the Boot, which was nominated for an Academy Award. From this cartoon, they pursued their cat-and-mouse idea, which resulted in Tom and Jerry.
  5. In 1957, Barbera and Hanna reteamed to produce cartoon films for television and theatrical release. To name their new company, they tossed a coin which determined that Hanna’s name would be first in Hanna-Barbera Productions.
  6. After a few successful T.V series, the pair created a new animated series, The Flintstones, as a parody of The Honeymooners.
  7. Hanna and Barbera created cartoons that revolved around close friendship. This can be seen with Fred and Barney, Wilma Flintstone and Betty Rubble, Tom and Jerry, Scooby and Shaggy, Yogi & Boo-Boo, The Jetson Family, and more.
  8. Hanna-Barbera won seven Academy Awards and eight Emmy Awards, including the first Emmy awarded to an animated series for The Huckleberry Hound Show.
  9. Hanna-Barbera cartoons have become global icons and have been translated into more than 28 languages.
  10. Joseph Barbera passed away at home on December 18, 2006 at the age of 95.

 

Here is just a partial list of television programs created by Hanna-Barbera:

The Huckleberry Hound Show (1958-1962)

The Flintstones (1960-1966)

Top Cat (1961-1962)

The Jetsons (1962-1963)

Jonny Quest (1964-1965)

Space Ghost and Dino Boy (1966)

Frankenstein Jr. and The Impossibles (1966-1968)

Birdman and the Galaxy Trio (1967-1969)

The Herculoids (1967-1968)

Fantastic Four (1967-1968)

The Banana Splits Adventure Hour (1968-1970)

Scooby-Doo, Where Are You? (1969-1970)

Josie and the Pussycats (1970-1971)

Speed Buggy (1973)

Super Friends (1973-1974)

Inch-High Private Eye (1973-1974)

Hong Kong Phooey (1974)

Clue Club (1976-1977)

Jabberjaw (1976-1978)

The Fonz and the Happy Days Gang (1980-1981)

The Smurfs (1981-1989)

Shirt Tales (1982-1984)

The Berenstain Bears (1985-1987)

The Pirates of Dark Water (1991-1993)

Johnny Bravo (1997-2004)

The Powerpuff Girls (1998-2005)