GUY GALANTE - Television Director, Producer, Author

In the mid-'70s my exposure and experience as a producer in the recording industry was to begin. Co-producing an album with Tommy Monte, a boyhood friend and business associate, who played electric bass and a composer of songs locally in the tri-state area. " Live at The OBL" was our first album release on MOLLY records. This album contained a variety of popular top-40 tunes that were arranged and played with a jazz flavor featuring The Lyrics of whom I had worked and traveled on the road early in my career as a musician.

Although distribution for the album was accepted by many one-stop wholesalers and local record stores, it was very hard to get radio air-play on the local stations because of the rotating schedule order (RSO) that was allocated to Motown, A&M, Budda, and other major labels that had top artists on their roster. In order to increase the marketing potential and sales, a decision was made to produce a video commercial to be aired as a late-night marketing tool that would enhance our promotion for future sales. Although I had little experience in knowing what went-on in front of the cameras. What took place behind the cameras was an area that was completely new to me. At the time, the only person I knew in the television business was someone I had met during a media gathering in center city Philadelphia. Guy Galante was production manager and director at WKBS Channel-48 in Philadelphia, a station owned by the one and only Henry J. Kaiser. Kaiser Broadcasting was the only UHF station during this period to have a network of five stations in major markets, Guy was responsible for all studio operations, commercials, plus live and taped shows that were eminating from the Philadelphia market. To his credit he produced and directed various film segments for the National Academy of Television Arts and Sciences "Emmy" Awards Dinner in 1971 also the "Warner Bros. 50th Anniversary Special" which was aired nationally. He also attended production meetings with Jerry Lewis for the annual MDA TELETHON remote cut-a-way segments that was under his direction at WKBS-TV. During the ten years he spent at Channel-48 he not only gained much due respect from his peers but most-of-all he was regarded and commended as a highly competent professional in his field by Mr. Kaiser himself. With all these accolades, busy production schedules, and meetings with major movie and recording stars such as Jack Lemmon, Charlton Heston, Agnes Moorehead, Elke Summers, The Four Tops, Glen Campbell, Marvin Gaye, Tammi Terrell, and many others just to name a few, that came to Philadelphia to do interviews and promotions with movie-buff Bernie Herman, the host of "Memorable Moments In Movies" a daily mid-afternoon show featuring many movie classics. Guy, always found time to extend a helping-hand when needed... And believe me; at that time . . .I really needed some help.

 

One afternoon I showed-up at his office with a box of record albums to be distributed as added promotion. At that time, Being a novice at television production, I wasn't aware of all the hidden costs and amenities that was necessary to produce a one- minute commercial to be aired on a late night schedule. After a long discussion with Guy, I finally realized that it was virtually impossible for me to afford such a complex production because of the limited budget that was allocated from our investors. With this in mind, I proceeded to leave his office until,

Guy said, "Let me show you how it's done."

He took me through the studio and explained how we could cut costs in production and buy a block of air-time that was directed to our market. He introduced me to the production crew and cameramen that would be lending their expertise to the project. I'll never forget a funny thing that happened with one of the senior cameramen, his name was Hank Bielecki. In order to gain attention around strangers who came into the studio, while standing in a crowd he had a tendency to accidently drop a note that he had written previously from his pants pocket or out of a folder that he was carrying, hoping that the stranger would pick it up and read it and be impressed by what was written in the message. The note would always say Hank, your doing a great job! - Keep-up the good work. Hope to see you soon. Signed Henry J. Kaiser or some other famous personality that happen to drop by the studio to promote their up-coming films that were being released in the theaters. I happened to become a victim to his practical joke, we laughed and talked for a while about some of his favorites in jazz. They both assured me that all the crew members would give their full support to the project. At another humorous occasion channel-48 had the movie "The Invisible Man" to broadcast.  That night an hour before air-time the film had not shown-up. Guy asked, the then announcer, (who has since joined the national ranks in a No.l market) to make an announcement that the movie that was scheduled to air would not be shown. He rushed to the announce booth and ad-libbed this announcement "due to technical difficulties the Invisible man will not be seen tonight." It was quite awhile, that the announcer would be let off the hook for that ONE.

Shortly thereafter Guy contacted me explaining that the commercial was ready for preview and that a block of air-time would be reserved, sold and allocated to us so that we could meet our limited budget.  The commercial ran for quite sometime and we able to have a successful mail order product making it possible to do other promotions in a targeted area. If it wasn't for the help extended by Guy Galante I'm sure that the album project would have fell by-the-wayside where we could have lost a lot of investment capital.  

Over the years Guy and his wife Elaine and myself have maintained a close relationship that has enabled us to co-produce a pilot shows that included Bobby Vinton, Buddy Greco and Grammy Award nominee vocalist Billy Paul hosted by Philadelphia radio personality Joe Niagara plus other TV shows and live concerts that have included Maynard Ferguson, The Count Basie Orchestra, The Bobby Rydell Show, Sylvia Syms and a Big Band Dance Party featuring vocalist Fran Warren and her notable conductor, trumpeter Joe Cabot who has been responsible for many of her swinging jazz arrangements of popular songs.  

I often have ask Guy how he feels about the present jazz scene of today and why it is almost impossible to get major sponsorship for a television series highlighting many of the young jazz musicians that have roots in traditional jazz.  

"As you know I'm a jazz fan... always have been... STAN KENTON is a favorite of mine, and always felt a great amount of respect and gratitude towards the musicians down south who at the turn of the century gave birth to Jazz ... It is unfortunate that the current sponsors of TV programs feel the jazz fans, the would-be viewers, are a much older demographic range of the buying audience they prefer and consequently have little or no desire to sponsor jazz shows on TV."

 

TONY TORCASIO - "If Ever Any Man Deserves To Be Honored "

 ...it is Genial, Compassionate Tony Torcasio: He is a man who has touched the lives of all who knew him. He was admired for his earnest and sincere dedication to philanthropic endeavors and community service.

My close relationship with Tony Torcasio began in the early 1980's. We met at a fund-raising board meeting held by The American Cancer Society's New Jersey Chapter. Tony had been an officer of this Chapter for some time and I was invited by two mutual friends, Atlantic City Press columnist Sonny Schwartz and Bud Gundaker, President of the ACS New Jersey Chapter. I was there to generate new fund-raising ideas for the coming fiscal months. The society was considering asking me to produce entertainment shows with some of the top-name performers that were scheduled to work engagements in Atlantic City.  Before the meeting I was able to contact my associate Larry Bennett who represented Dizzy Gillespie and Woody Herman, Lionel Hampton to explain what was being planned for the coming events and find out the feasibility of them clearing their calendar in order to make an appearance. I also contacted drummer Chris Columbo, Vice President of Atlantic City Musicians Union  for his assistance. 

During my presentation to the executive board, in which I mentioned the strong possibility that I could deliver the caliber of talent, the society wanted. I happened to glance across the table to where Tony Torcasio was sitting. I felt a penetrating stare that was analyzing and judging everything I was presenting; this was his way of finding out if I was for real or just another promoter with empty promises.

At this first meeting, he became very impressed with the dedication and belief that I had to offer as a musician, producer and promoter. He saw that I felt it was important to do the right thing for everyone concerned. I'll never forget that day when he instantly took me aside and said in his gruff voice "Come here kid, I like you." It was that day when he took me under his wing and adopted me as part of family.

ANTHONY RICCIARDI – Knows How to Get the Job Done!

In the fall season of 1968, I had the privilege to be acquainted with Anthony Ricciardi during a meeting that took place at a local business office of Metropolitan Life Insurance located in South Philadelphia. We both were in a similar situation as we discussed marketing strategies with a mutual client to enhance his investments and profit margin as the approaching end of his fiscal period was about to close.

We had many meetings discussing various ideas for an advertising program that included a production of radio and television commercials focused within the Delaware Valley area.                                

While spending time with Anthony during lunch breaks and other meetings I also noticed that his interests were in music, sports and promotions.

As our friendship found a common ground, he mentioned that he enjoyed promoting entertainment events that involved affiliations with various major league baseball players and had a friendship with others from the Philadelphia Phillies organization here in Philadelphia.

It was during that time, his association with Paul Owens, who was Manager of the Phillies, always turned to Anthony to get special events planned for some of the players on the team. These events included radio & TV interviews with local stations, commemorative dinner arrangements plus many other promotional functions, which had to be complete within a short time period. He also reflected upon some of the friendships through the years with pitcher Woody Fryman, catcher, Gene Teance, Hank Aaron, Dallas Green and many others. During a newspaper interview, former Phillies Manager Frank Lucchesi spoke highly about Anthony saying, “He just loves baseball and to me, he’s a friend that you can always count-on to get the job done.”

Not only was he involved with so many players, entertainment was his other interest that gave him the opportunity to act as a liaison with small top forty bands and venues throughout the Delaware Valley. His association and friendship with Mike Arnone the original leader of the famed vocal recording group “The Duprees” recording stars of "You Belong To Me" gave him representation to secure future bookings & events that would be scheduled by our entertainment office.

It was in the mid-1970s when the Philadelphia Phillies was in the pennant race; I approached Anthony with a promotional idea for the Phillies to enhance more fan attendance. The idea consisted of an original song called "Ting-a-Ling Double-Play” that my associate Tommy Monte and I composed for the pennant season. When Anthony heard the demo track – he immediately suggested that he would approach shortstop Larry Bowa and second baseman Dave Cash with the concept. Larry & Dave graciously accepted and we began the pre-production of contracting musicians and a studio facility in order to secure a recording date for this novelty 45 single disk.

During that time, Anthony was very instrumental in securing many radio stations throughout the Delaware Valley for airplay exposure during the summer months of baseball season.

Our association through the years has been successful in planning Gala events and bookings for various entertainment groups, including a Live Recording at The OBL Town Club with a prominent small combo called “The Lyrics” from the South Philadelphia area. In addition, other promotions with well-known DOO-WOP groups from the New York, New Jersey, & Delaware Valley vicinity.

During the latter part of the 1970s, Anthony became friendly with many celebrities that visited and were guests on The Mike Douglas Show which was produced daily at the KYW Studios located at 5^th & Market Streets in Philadelphia, PA. Some of the celebrities included TV personalities Ted Knight, Jaclyn Smith and various others and famed drummer - Jazz musician, Louis Bellson & hs wife Pearl Bailey whenever they visited the Philadelphia area.

His acquaintance with western star Roy Rogers who was an avid baseball fan always acknowledged Anthony for providing a collection of autographed Baseballs that were displayed in a showcase at the Roy Rogers Museum located in Victorville, California.

Anthony is now semi-retired and we communicate regularly while planning future fund-raising projects within the surrounding areas of the Delaware Valley.

"Jazz On The South Side" - Lorraine J. Yarborough

In the summer months of 2008, I had the opportunity of meeting Lorraine J. Yarborough Executive Director of “JOTSS” – Jazz On The South Side. This organization was started as a non-profit Scholarship Foundation committed to support Jazz and Cultural Arts students in the Philadelphia area. 

She asked for help and my assistance for promotional ideas in order to pursue the proposed idea to the next level. At various meetings we discussed numerous ways of making this proposition a success for the Jazz students within the area. With the cooperation of my friend Steve Romano plus other colleagues and associates, we were able to initiate and collaborate with various senior Jazz musicians within the Philadelphia area to showcase younger jazz students from neighboring schools in the area. 

We produced Jazz concerts that took place at SJNP a chapel setting at St. John Neumann Senior Residence. The response from the attending audience from the first production generated interviews with local newspapers plus radio interviews with Lorraine talking with Bob Perkins at WRTI –FM Jazz station at Temple University.

 

The media exposure plus the radio interviews generated much interest from local sponsorship that we continued the shows monthly to the end of the year.

Currently, Lorraine and her staff have been consulting on various projects within “The Avenue Of The Arts” section of Broad Street in Philadelphia, plus other areas in the Tri-State vicinity to help enhance the future of “Jazz and the Cultural Arts.”

“Jazz On The South Side”™

A Jazz and Cultural Arts Initiative, was the brainchild of Lorraine J. Yarborough, Management Consultant. After attending Jazz Vespers and Philadelphia’s most notable musical venues, where accomplished and well known Jazz artists were featured. The venues helped  Lorraine to accelerate the efforts for establishing an organization that would help keep Mainstream Jazz Alive.

The “JOTSS” Mission is to collectively “Pass the Baton” bridging the gap from the old to the new through the venue of Jazz and the Arts. Our ulterior motive is to help keep “Mainstream Jazz and the Cultural Arts” alive.

Footnote: 

by Lorraine

In the summer months of 2008, I approached Danny Luciano and his colleague Steve Romano for assistance in promotional ideas to take “Jazz On The South Side” to another level.  With their cooperation we were able to produce jazz shows, promotional ideas, posters, radio and media interviews which helped contribute to our success.  They have created a website that enhances international visibility for jazz musicians around the world.  This strong collaboration of Steve’s IT background and Danny’s many year’s in the music industry has allowed this unique website to be respected by jazz musicians and the general public.   

"The Fortunato - Gagliardi Duo"

I was contacted by a mutual colleague of mine,  who recently recorded  and collaborated  on a CD with Joe Fortunato (Fortunato & Gagliardi Duo).   This recording consists of five popular standard songs featuring the unreleased version of “Moonlight in Vermont” – “Body & Soul” plus others including the romantic lush sounds of a Saxophone & Guitar duo to be enjoyed.  We have made available these tracks for your listen pleasure and encourage feedback.

During the early 1990’s there was a place called “The Balligo Inn” located on Balligomingo Road in Conshohocken, PA. The Balligo was a weekend quaint rustic Inn that featured a limited menu of sandwiches & salads plus a bar that served many-imported International Beer labels that were not able to find in other places.  The Philadelphia Inquirer and other local newspapers ranked and acclaimed this place as one of the best venues to hear live JAZZ in the tri-state area.  Every Friday & Saturday night the Jazz entertainment consisted of a House Trio or Quartet lead by saxophonist Joe Fortunato that featured Papa John DeFrancesco, organ – Eddie McFadden, guitar – Mike Anthony on drums. The entertainment policy was to have a “Jazz Open House” each weekend in order to give a creative musical outlet to aspiring young musicians and experienced musicians that were traveling through the Philadelphia area.  On many occasions, you were able to witness a major Jazz musician or vocalist stop-by just to say hello and sit-in with the band members for an impromptu performance that would generate standing ovations from a 200-seat capacity crowd.

One night a young guitar player named Lou Gagliardi stopped by to sit-in with the house musicians and played for most of the evening.  Ironically, Eddie McFadden former sideman to Jimmy Smith for many years would be taking time off to fulfill prior commitments and would return after a few months.  It was at this time that Joe Fortunato enjoyed playing with Lou Gagliardi and felt that he could be an important asset to the vacated position and offered the spot to Lou until Eddie McFadden’s return.

Lou Gagliardi Biography:

Lou was born in Philadelphia 1959.  He began studying guitar at age (8) at the Granoff School of Music.  At age of (13-16), he performed at Classical Guitar Society Annual Student Recitals (14-16). 

In 1977, after graduating from Council Rock High School, Lou attended Drexel University and earned a Bachelor of Science Degree in Mechanical Engineering 1982.  After working (4) years as an Aerospace engineer for the US Navy, he decided to quit engineering and went into music full time.

He studied Jazz guitar with for many years with three prominent teachers Robert Wall, Dennis Sandole and Tom Giacabetti.

Lou’s notable performances included the 1990 Philly Fest and Mellon Jazz Festival.

His other duet performances with Joe Fortunato included various concerts at the Kimmel Center, located in “The Avenue of the Arts” located on South Broad Street in Philadelphia, PA.

Footnote:  Since I retired from playing – My only regret is that I never had an opportunity to play with this extraordinary duo.