Description
Vanessa Racci is a jazz and cabaret singer of Italian American descent with a passion for retro jazz and music made famous by Italian Americans. She has produced an album and currently performs several shows that celebrate American jazz composers, Italian American music and their contributions to jazz and pop in the US.
Growing up with her Southern Italian grandfather in New York, Vanessa learned Italian American classics and jazz at an early age, hearing Dean Martin, Connie Francis, Frank Sinatra and the like played throughout the house. She developed as a singer in musical theater (starring in professional theater at age 12), discovered her love for jazz in her 20’s and started touring with a trio.
After her grandfather passed, Vanessa was inspired to reinvent the Italian classics that he taught her with modern jazz arrangements to keep the music alive for future generations. She teamed up with Gianni Valenti of Birdland Jazz Club NYC, producer, David Finck, and Manhattan Transfer arranger, Yaron Gershovsky, to realize her vision. The result was a sold-out album release show at Birdland in 2017 and a unique album entitled, Italiana Fresca, that reached #65 on the jazz charts. Since then, she has performed at over 70 festivals, events and jazz clubs across the country and has been played on over 20 Italian radio stations across the US and Italy.
Vanessa recently released her second album, Jazzy Italian, on Zoho Jazz Label, devoted to celebrating Italian American jazz composers, which reached #8 on the RMR jazz chart and has been programmed on Siriusly Sinatra. She also launched several shows with tributes to Connie Francis, Bobby Darin and George Gershwin. Notable appearances include ABC7NY, Birdland, Jazz Forum, Metropolitan Room, The Feast of San Gennaro NYC, Don’t Tell Mama, the NIAF Gala in Washington D.C., The DiMenna Center, Mohonk Mountain House, The Columbus Citizens Townhouse, The Italian American Museums of NY and LA, Chelsea Table & Stage and a residency at Swing 46 NYC.
Guests are expected to dress in a neat and presentable manner. Collared shirts or sweaters are required at all times. After 5 pm, men’s jackets are required in all dining rooms, and ladies are required to wear business-appropriate attire, dresses, or slacks. Dressy jeans are acceptable, but cut-off jeans, jeans with holes and tears, T-shirts, flannel shirts, and similar casual clothing are not permitted. Also, sneakers, running shoes, stretch pants, leggings, rubber sandals and athletic attire are strictly prohibited.
Musica Sotto Le Stelle is Casa Belvedere’s signature summer dining and performance series, celebrating the beauty of Italian culture through live music, community, and cuisine. Each evening offers a unique combination of acclaimed performers, scenic outdoor ambiance, and the warm spirit of a Staten Island summer.
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