Jerry Vale – "Mala Femmina" / "Maria Elena" *1963 Single Release* Columbia Records, Vinyl, 7", 45 RPM, Promo. *Sung in Italian, Spanish & English* Jerry Vale with Percy Faith & His Orchestra
Jerry Vale - Gennaro Louis Vitaliano; July 8, 1930 – May 18, 2014, born in the Bronx, New York, to Italian immigrant parents, and grew up in the Wakefield section of the Bronx which at the time was composed mainly of Italian-American families. Frank Sinatra recruited him to play in the lounge of the Sands Hotel while Sinatra performed in the showroom in the early 1960s, and Vale turned a two-week gig into a 22-week engagement. He and Sinatra remained friends until Sinatra's death in 1998.
Jerry Vale was one of the most successful Italian-American music singers of the 1950s and 1960s. His popularity came at a time when rock and roll had severely dampened the success of other singers of that era. He had 50 years as an entertainer and made more than 50 albums, Every Sunday the Vitaliano family would have a party at Vale's grandmother's house, and she would lay out a spread from "soup to nuts." At 11 years old, Vale got his first job shining shoes in a barber shop in Mount Vernon, New York. He also cleaned the floors of the shop and customers would ask him to sing because they knew he loved to. He would sing popular songs of the day and instead of getting only a 25-cent tip, he often received twice that amount. Vale began singing in supper clubs in and around New York at only 15 but claimed to be much older when singing with the Jen Ray Trio and the Matty Marin Quintet. He begun to establish a local reputation, and after a year, began making recordings and singing songs of the day with a trio at the Club Del Rio in Yonkers, New York, changing his name to Vale. Jerry then moved on to the Enchanted Room, which was also in Yonkers, with the Marty Marin Quintet where he met singer Guy Mitchell, who was already regarded as a topflight singer on Columbia Records. Mitchell was so impressed with Vale's performance; he arranged an audition with Columbia Records A & R chief Mitch Miller. This was particularly noteworthy since Mitchell himself was also a recording star at Columbia and was essentially helping invite competition. This led Vale to a contract with Columbia Records in 1951, and a year later Vale made his first record on the Columbia label on December 23, 1952. It was called "You Can Never Give Me Back My Heart," backed by Percy Faith and his orchestra. It was reissued in 2000.
Italian American Golden Era...The Best in Italian Music...Italian American Music...and The Great American Songbook. So... put on a pot of Espresso, break out the Cannoli, relax, and join us this Day and Every day of what I promise to be big fun, great music, and wonderful memories! with your hosts Vincenzo Lombardi... John Regan & Preziosa
A Channel that will focus on these timeless Italian American Artists, their connection to Italian music and culture, and generally, a show that would pay homage to the songs that are the "Soundtrack" to many of our lives. Whether you are young or old...this music brings back great memories.
Our mission is to inspire and educate by celebrating the music of the "Italian American Era”, a Channel that is unique in its focus to the history, culture and artistic legacy of Italian America’s songs, preserving the physical artifacts of the creators, performers and publishers, cultural treasures, for educational and immersive experiences for all.
Italian American Golden Era
*From my own cd and vinyl collection Copyright Disclaimer Under Section 107 of the Copyright Act 1976, allowance is made for fair use for purposes such as criticism, comment, news reporting, teaching, scholarship, and research. Fair use is a use permitted by copyright statute that might Otherwise be infringing. Non-profit, educational or personal use tips the balance in favor of fair use. Video will be removed if requested by the copyright owner*.
Music is Magic - Love is Magical! - Salute to Italian-American crooners
*THE WAY THIS MUSIC WAS MEANT TO BE HEARD*
