Passion, mostly jazz sprinkled with rhythm and blues, is fifteen original love songs meant to linger in your heart.

15 MP3 Songs
EASY LISTENING: Love Songs, JAZZ: Smooth Jazz



Details:
"Passion", my âlabor of love,â began in December of 2002. In August 2002 my younger son, James, got deployed to Afghanistan with the 82nd Airborne. I just couldnât sleep at night and needed a total diversion from what I normally do. I am a teacher by day with the Hartford Public School system in Connecticut. One day walking through my school, Breakthrough Magnet School, was a man I met at a wedding reception. He was the wonderful entertainment and the bride mentioned to me that he had a recording studio. I thought about contacting him from time to time but never got around to doing it. Well thereâs Dave McKinney and I asked him if he knew any studio musicians who would be able to play my music if I sang the different musical parts. I canât read or write a note of music but in my head know what each and every instrument should be doing throughout the song. He said he knew some musicians who could help me. They did more than that; they brought my music to life!
Over the next three years both my boys got deployed. James went to Afghanistan and a second deployment to Iraq and my son, Nicholas, got deployed to Iraq with the 2nd Brigade 3rd Battalion with the Stryker unit out of FT. Lewis, WA. They were both in Iraq at the same time. Being in the recording studio all hours of the night was just what I needed.
How do you like the "Sally Sisters"? That's what I call the background vocals I sing in the songs. I had so much fun doing those extra tracks. When I would be singing the main vocal in my head the Sally Sisters would be singing my backup; it's good that they finally came out.
With some songs they required a musician that wasnât available through Dave. For example, I needed a harmonica player for âDenise and Eddieâ. I love live music so I would go and listen to various bands in the area and ask them to help me with my project. The funny thing is I have a gravely speaking voice which is nothing like my singing voice. I really wonder what they thought of me going up to them. Most of the time the musicians (like Don DeSteffano the harmonica player and Dale Adams a talented keyboard player) were super kind and gladly helped me with my project. Other times, musicians would decline; I think they thought, âBetter stay clear of this one!â Little did they know they missed-out on the project of a lifetime!
All of the musicians really "stepped up to the plate." Christophe Chalamet, Jonathan Chatfield, Kelly Littlejohn III, and Dale Adams brought wonderful arrangements and keyboard to my music. Besides being my producer, Dave McKinney is a talented lead guitar player. Bass players Mike Ringland and Brian Jenkins kept the music rich and steady. Drummers Jay Woods and Charles Evans shimmered the cymbals and dusted the snare drums. Gregg Allen is a percussionist "extraordinare". Don DeStafano rocked "Denise and Eddie" with his harmonica. Marianna Nielsen layered sultry sounds with her saxophone. Trumpet players Ross Tucker and Scott Haber capture the spice of each song they played.
With just getting this project done I accomplished my goal of having my music so it can be heard by others. Another of my goals is to set-up a scholarship for high school graduates to pursue higher education. It will be interesting to see over time how this will work-out. Now, this is where I need your help; please encourage all you know to purchase âPassion". I love teaching in Hartford and want to help children who have attended Breakthrough Magnet School make a dream of higher education come true. I know dreams can come true; youâre listening to mine!
"Passion" is for people who need a moment to âwind downâ or create an evening of intimacy. Get set for fifteen original songs to spark or rekindle that flame of love that is near and dear to your heart. Enjoy âPassionâ from my heart to yours!
Fondly,
Sal