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| Frank Vignola-Bucky Pizzarelli-Vinny Raniolo for 3 local shows by Deborah J. Botti For the Times Herald-Record Pizzarelli, Vignola and Raniolo - for 3 local shows! Guitarists play 3/8 Rosendale Cafe, 3/9 The Ritz, 3/10 Surgar Loaf. When Frank Vignola was a young boy, his father put on a record and the sounds coaxed by Bucky Pizzarelli from his seven-string guitar filled the room. "I knew then, at the age of 6, that I wanted to play music, " says Vignola, who's lived in Warwick for the past 12 years. "My dad played the tenor banjo and was a lover of great traditional jazz." And what Vignola loves best now — along with his family — is the ability, too, to play music for people. Vignola's celebrated virtuosity has become his passport to worldwide venues. He's off to France at the end of the month — a destination that includes his entire family as the Vignolas love to share different cultures with their children when they can. For the past seven years, he's been performing 200 shows a year with Vinny Raniolo. "I met Vinny through a mutual friend, " says Vignola. "He is the greatest rhythm guitarist I have ever played with. ... We hit the road hard, playing in 13 countries last year alone." Vignola has also played with many of today's most renowned musicians — from Ringo Starr to Madonna and Wynton Marsalis to the Boston Pops. "The night Paul McCartney walked in was probably the highlight (of the five years he worked with Les Paul). We stayed up all night after the show jamming, " says Vignola. This weekend, though, Hudson Valley audiences will have three opportunities to experience this harmonious joy as Vignola, Raniolo and Pizzarelli join guitars. "I met Bucky (Pizzarelli) finally in 1997 in Arizona at a show, " says Vignola. "He asked me to sit in, and it was love at first note. We have been playing about 10-20 shows per year since then. He is 87 now, and I treasure every minute I spend with him." Friday, the trio is at the Rosendale Cafe. Reservations are not accepted, and its 75-person capacity will be filled on a first-come, first-served basis. Seats cannot be held for latecomers. Saturday they're at the Ritz Theater in Newburgh. There are just a handful of tickets available and only through the box office. Sunday afternoon's performance at the Sugar Loaf Performing Arts Center, however, offers the most availability. "Sugar Loaf PAC is right up the block from me. What a rare treat to be playing so close to home, " says Vignola. "I'll be bringing my four boys (ages 6 through 14). Hopefully, they'll be on their best behavior." The three generations will play recognizable music from a diverse repertoire that spans Beethoven to Gershwin to the Police — and perhaps even a tune by Duke Ellington, one of their favorites. "Plus, we tell jokes and throw in a few dance moves, " he says. "In the spirit of jazz, there's spontaneity. "It's a great time to be in music because live music is making a comeback ... and that's awesome." write your comments about the article :: © 2013 Jazz News :: home page |