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Danny Aiello Trio
CD Release Event
I Just Wanted to Hear the Words
(See CD Review)
(Danny Aiello Filmography)
With
Danny Aiello on Vocals, Lee Hudson on Bass, Jimi Prav on Guitar, Joe Geary on Drums,
Dan Alvaro on Tenor Sax, Mike Hashim on Alto Sax, Walt Szymanski on Trumpet,
Brad Shigeta on Trombone, Conal Fowkes on Piano
At
Blue Note
131 West 3rd Street at Sixth Ave.
NYC, NY
212.475.8592
www.bluenotejazz.com
Media Contact: Carolyn McClair
info@carolynmcclairpr.com
Dr. Roberta E. Zlokower
February 13, 2005 Danny Aiello, renowned film star (e.g., The Purple Rose of Cairo, Radio Days), also sings! And, he’s good, too! He brought to the Blue Note in Greenwich Village a fantastic band, with the superb trombonist, Brad Shigeta, the wild drummer, Joe Geary, and many more dynamic and driven musicians to match Danny’s wild and driven vocals. Danny heats it up onstage, with never a breather, never a break. This first set was seamless, with an occasional story or nod to his long-time wife, Sandy, who sat near me tonight. When Danny arrives onstage, he does not miss a beat and introduced his first song, I Could Have Danced All Night with feverish delight. Danny is in a dark suit, white pocket scarf, white shirt, and sunglasses. Danny exudes stage presence and persona, an actor who can engage an audience. I’m Gonna Sit Right Down and Write Myself a Letter is punctuated with percussion and piano, and All of Me is sung on its heels. Danny yields to the saxophone, after an anecdote about his first 1948 would-be audition of the same piece. Several times, Danny’s exuberance at his career success and a sold-out Club was highlighted with his statement, “We’re here to kill the audience”, and the audience loved the threat.
In a conversation about hope with Fowkes on Blue Note’s Bösendorfer piano, Danny belted out Pennies from Heaven, just before the full band joined in with spirit, speed, and sass. Danny tells us about one of his jobs as terminal manager at Greyhound, just before a romantic rendition of You’d Be So Nice to Come Home To. Danny’s body language is adorable, and he holds his hand like a telephone, to add acting antics for music and mime. He tells us about another job as bouncer at Improv, when he really wanted to sing, just before crooning Sophie Tucker’s You’re Gonna Miss Me, Baby and Judy Garland’s You Made Me Love You (sung directly at his wife, Sandy). Danny closed this set with a Bobby Darin song, written for Bob Hope, The Curtain Falls. This event made me want to rent some of Danny’s films, just to see him again. I also have his rousing CD that makes you want to dance.
Danny Aiello in April 2004
Photo courtesy of Tom vanDell
Danny Aiello and wife, Sandy, Relax Between Sets
Photo courtesy of Roberta Zlokower
Danny's Band at Leisure
Photo courtesy of Roberta Zlokower
Danny's Band at Leisure
Photo courtesy of Roberta Zlokower
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