Sonny G. "Salvatore Guagliardo" - I'll Be Laughing Tonight - COMPACT DISCS [CD]

SONNY G. LINER NOTES Sonny G. is having the time of his life. He recently made his recording debut at the age of 67, singing the songs he loves with top musicians, making a set of standards and a few obscurities sound as if they were written for him. The joy he feels for the music is obvious and his sensitive interpretations display a deep understanding of the lyrics he sings. Born and raised in Chicago, he loved swing, standards and jazz from the time he was a child, picking up much of his musical education while listening to the radio in the 1950s. 'Even when rock came in during my mid-teens, I was much more interested in jazz and jazz singing. I went to the Blue Note in Chicago, the Bird House, and many other clubs that featured combos. I sang in school at various functions and performed at anniversary parties and informal family things. But it was all nonprofessional until 14 years ago.Inch Sonny G. made his living as a salesman for many years but always liked to sing for the fun of it. InchOne night I was at Chambers Restaurant and Scott Coleman was playing piano. A friend told him that I could sing so he got me up there, I sang, and he liked me and helped me out. I also met saxophonist Bob Centano, sat in with his band, and he was kind enough to let me make my own mistakes and grow from the experience. I got hired to sing at the Chambers and I was able to pack the place; it helps to have a large Italian family!Inch Since that time, he has sung regularly in the Chicago area with such major musicians as Joey DeFrancesco, Larry Novak, Ira Sullivan, John Campbell and Jodie Christian. When asked to describe his singing style, Sonny G. says, InchI sound like me. I have been influenced primarily by Frank Sinatra and self-consciously have a way of phrasing that is similar to Frank. Sinatra and I sing in similar keys so I listened to him a lot. However I don't copy anyon