Jack Scarangella's Band Of Heroes Jack Scarangella Life Story, Concept, Producer, Arrangements, Drums Francis "Rocco" Prestia Bass (Tower Of Power) Richard Bell Piano, Organ (Janis Joplin, Paul Butterfield, The Band) Murali Coryell Electric/Acoustic Guitar, Vocals Bernie Williams Lead Guitar (NY Yankees) Willie Randolph Percussion (NY Yankees) Paul O'Neill Percussion (NY Yankees) Richie Havens Vocals, Acoustic Guitar Felix Cavaliere Vocals (The Rascals ) Peppy Castro Vocals (Blues Magoos, Barnaby Bye, Balance) Joe Cerisano Vocals (Silver Condor) Fred Lipsius Saxophone, Piano, Arranger (Blood, Sweat And Tears) Lew Soloff Trumpet (Blood, Sweat & Tears, Gil Evans) John Clark French Horn Ronnie Cuber Baritone Saxophone (George Benson) Alan Rubin Trumpet (The Blues Brothers, The Original Saturday Night Live Band) Eric Friedlander Cello Babatunde Olatunji Master Percussionist (Drums Of Passion) Dave Valentin Flute (Tito Puente) David Spinozza Lead Guitar (John Lennon, Paul McCartney) Sammy Figueroa Congas (Miles Davis, Tony Williams, Ruben Blades) Buddy Cage Pedal Steel Guitar (New Riders, Grateful Dead, Bob Dylan) Colin Tilton Saxophone (Van Morrison, Etta James) Rick DeSarno Lead Guitar Lance Larson Vocal Laura Seaton Finn Violin Todd Reynolds Violin Marti Sweet Violin Paul Woodiel Violin Ralph Farris Viola Ron Lawrence Viola Mary Wooten Cello Eric Weissberg Acoustic Guitar, Dobro (Dueling Banjos, Bob Dylan) Katie Spencer, Sandhya Ullah, Michael Cerisano, Matthew Cerisano, Stephen Achille Scarangella Childrens Vocals Angela Cappelli Vocal Susan Howard Producer, Vocals Spoken Words (In Order Of Appearance On CD) Willie Randolph Joe Namath Jessica Namath Ron Guidry Phil Rizzuto "The Scooter" Don Mattingly ----- About the CD This is a story about a boy from the Bronx who had dreams. Growing up in the 60's, coming from a family with an abusive father, I wanted to be like Mickey Mantle, Whitey Ford or Sandy Koufax. My loving mother Amy gave me the hope I needed by telling me to be the best I could be in whatever I chose to do. One day after pitching a baseball game at Parkway Field in Mt. Vernon, NY, I noticed the bright lights across the way in Memorial Stadium. I asked my friend Pete Paradise, "Big game tonight?" Pete said, "No Jack, big concert. Buddy Rich." From the field I walked to the gates of the stadium, wild with excitement. I told the police officer, "I have no ticket, but I have to see the show!!!" He couldn't say no to a kid in a baseball uniform. He let me in. In the middle of the field I saw his white pearl drums sparkling like a spaceship. Buddy Rich came on with a swagger, eyed the drums and danced a rhythm on the hi-hats...kicking in the band to a glorious swing of fireworks and soothing waves of sounds that surrounded the entire stadium. I knew then what I wanted to be. After the show I saw him with a big white towel around his neck heading towards his bus. I ran like I was rounding the bases, screaming, "Mr. Rich! Mr. Rich!" Just as another officer stopped me saying, "That's as far as you go," I heard Buddy's voice snap, "Hey! Let the kid through, will ya!" I ran to him like I had always known him. And as he sat me up on his trap case I told him my story in 10 minutes time, and said, "I want to play drums just like you!!!" Buddy's eyes widened lovingly and he put his arm around me like a soft cloud, turning me inside out with an indescribable feeling of love. He took me to his drums and gave me the sticks that rested on his tom-tom. I tucked them into my uniform pants and jumped off the stage when the sticks fell through my baggy pant leg to the grass. Buddy laughed, but then firmly said as I gathered the sticks, "If your parents let you out, you come straight to this bus and see me any time." My dream and destiny at 11 years old would be the father figure I so longed for. An American legend in music and the greatest natural genius on a set of drums, Buddy Rich would give me his love and truth that would last forever. At that time, when the world seemed to be exploding with sports and music, a man named Joe Willie Namath came into my life. Across the Whitestone Bridge, in Shea Stadium where the New York Jets were playing football, Joe Namath was stirring the consciousness of America. After the game, as 60 thousand people were leaving the stadium having seen something to believe in, I found myself under the stands heading towards the Jets locker room. In my excitement and disbelief, a police officer opened the door and let me in - for the rest of my life. Joe has always inspired me to believe in myself. Through my life, he is always my brother. As a kid, The Young Rascals with Dino Danelli on drums, made me want to play drums in a rock 'n roll band. Felix Cavaliere grew up in my home town, Pelham, NY. He gave me my early roots in rock 'n roll, made me a professional at the age of 15, and is a lasting musical presence in my life. Since then I've met, played and recorded with some of the best artists in music. My love of the music, the art, the people and the Hero in each of us has led me through years of creating real stories of the street and the heroes that walk them. This is my "Field of Dreams" album celebrating life, real music, the struggles, the belief in the Human Spirit and ... What Love Brings. ----- "All over the world everybody puts a kid in front of me, asking me to hear them play drums to see if they're any good. Let me tell you something- I've never seen anybody do me like you." Buddy Rich "It's a first all over again. A once in a lifetime trip for all of us. Power, vision, passion, reverance and love. All of this is Jack, my friend, the best." Richie Havens "Jack Scarangella is a dear friend and an amazing musician. His talent is exceeded only by his capacity to love. This record is a piece of his soul, his magic." Joey Kramer (Aerosmith) "Magnificent drum solo. I will Bless your album and dream." Babatunde Olatunji "It's a home run! If only record-and music-making could go back to this level of love, honesty, and artistic integrity." Chris Jisi (Contributing Editor-Bass Player Magazine) "You've done something that's never been done before. It's like the feeling when you first played music in a band. I played like I've never played before. There was love in everyone who was there. This album is a masterpiece." Rick DeSarno (Guitarist/Songwriter) "It takes you back and opens up your mind to make you think." Earl Monroe "The Pearl" (New York Knicks/Hall Of Fame) "I'm so proud, it's great. Every song takes you on a journey." Willie Randolph (NY Mets Manager) -----