Philadelphia accordionist, Joe Soprani, will appear as soloist with well known harmonica players the Sgro Brothers (Dom and Tony) on May 18, 2012 in celebration of Veterans day in Binghamton, NY. They are the remaining members of the world famous Harmonicats.
Joe will also be featured on the Don Giovanni radio shows on May 19 and 20. Joe is the in-house accordion player for the Don Giovanni show which is on Saturdays, 7-11 AM and Sundays 8-11 AM on WINR 680AM.
Joe Soprani is a noted accordionist, educator, arranger-composer who has dominated the accordion scene in Philadelphia for over forty years playing in major concert halls, theaters, TV Shows and Hotels. His arrangements are available from MusicForAccordion.com eSheet.
He holds the distinction of being the only accordionist in the history of the Philadelphia Orchestra to appear as a featured soloist under Eugene Ormandy. While accordion soloist with the USAF Band in Washington, DC under Col. George S. Howard, Joe Soprani won the “The Air Force Roger”, the most prestigious entertainment award in the US Air Force.
He also was the first accordion soloist with the PA Army National Guard Band “The Adjutant General’s Own” for over eight years. On five occasions, Soprani appeared with opera singer Luciano Pavarotti at the Spectrum in Philadelphia and also performed for President Eisenhower at the White House. To add to his impressive list of credentials, Joe Soprani was invited to arrange the opening selection for Rock star Jon Bon Jovi’s 1996 world tour and has also written the official song for the International Rotary Club.
In addition to performing in Broadway shows such as “Fiddler on the Roof”, “Zorba”, “Cabaret” and “Erma la Duce”, he has performed in world premieres of “Frida”, a musical that called for a virtuoso accordionist and “Another Kind of Hero”, a musical which featured Soprani on stage for an entire scene.
Joe Soprani, who appeared on the Ed Sullivan Show and won the Arthur Godfrey Show, appeared with TV Star Nell Carter in a “Colors of Freedom” Production at the Convention Center in Philadelphia in 1995. He also appeared with Peter Nero and the Philly Pops playing a special arrangement by Nero with Soprano Evelyn de LaRosa.
In November of 1997, Soprani became the first accordionist to perform in “La Traviata” by Verdi presented by the Opera Company of Philadelphia, at the Academy of Music in Philadelphia. Klaus Arp, the opera conductor from Germany, decided to use the accordion in the small ensemble on stage during “La Banda” sections. On five occasions, Joe Soprani appeared with opera singer Luciano Pavarotti at the Spectrum in Philadelphia and has performed for President Eisenhower at the White House.
Joe Soprani, who performed with Russell Watson on Good Morning America, continues to promote the accordion as a serious instrument at various clubs and organizations. His workshops at schools and colleges where he demonstrates his skills as performer and arranger to young composers and arrangers have been well received. Programs are being planned by his newly formed Concert Trio (Accordion, Piano and String Bass) and Italian Folk Trio (Accordion, Mandolin and Guitar.)
“The Sgro Brothers, Dom and Tony, nationally famous harmonica duo, have presented their unique show for years at venues all over the country, as well as entertaining on cruise ships and television. Harmonica aficionados will recall the dynamic duo as part of the famous Harmonica Rascals with little Johnnie Puleo, making music on instruments ranging in size from the size of a pea to several feet wide. Coming from an Italian, musical family, they have played the harmonica since the age of four and now in their seventies, they are still busy performing.
They have performed on stages as diverse as the Grand Ole Opry in Nashville and the London Palladium, and have shared spotlights with Frank Sinatra, Dean Martin, Tony Bennett and others. The talented pair also currently performs at many ethnic festivals and shows. They have been called back every year for the Italian Festival in Milwaukee.
Dom plays the 64 Chromonica and Tony plays the chord harmonica. “We play music from operas and, of course, the vocals like ‘Oh Marie,’ ‘Return to Sorrento,’ ‘Mala Femina,’ and ‘O Sole Mio,'” Dom pointed out. They play a broad repertoire that includes both Broadway and pop tunes. The Sgro Brothers are still very active in show business. They appear on many cruise ships such as the Cunard, Royal Caribbean, Holland American, Costa, NCL and currently Princess Lines. They do Conventions, Festivals, work in Atlantic City and every year they play the NY State Fair. In June of 2004 The Sgro Brothers were guests of the White House playing for President Bush and members of Congress.
For further information:Sopranimusic@verizon.net
