GERMAN TOUR INSPIRES HOLIDAY RELEASE

Altoona, PA, December 1, 2011 – During his military tour in Germany, Zupe learned the language as a necessity. On his new Christmas CD, Yuletides, Zupe pairs his German penchant with his musical talents resulting in an inspirational rendition of "Silent Night."  Singing the first verse verse of this holiday classic in its original language, Zupe is joined by The Singing Sergeants of the U.S. Air Force in an uplifting culmination of the song.

Yuletides is the latest release from the critically acclaimed artist. The fourteen tracks run the gamut from traditional favorites “O’ Come All Ye Faithful” and “The First Noel” to contemporary classics such as “Santa Bring My Baby Back to Me” and “Jingle Bell Rock.”  Zupe brings Yuletides as well as the holiday season to a close with his rendition of “Auld Lang Syne.”

Dave Nichols, Zupe’s long-time collaborator, adds a unique Santo and Johnny-like jazz flavor to “The Christmas Song” (a.k.a. “Chestnuts Roasting”) as well as the rest of the album’s tracks.

Zupe will be performing the songs of Yuletides and other holiday favorites at his various Christmas shows throughout the area. His entire performance schedule can be found on his website at www.zupe.net.

Yuletides can be purchased at Zupe’s website and at any of his shows for $10.00.

My agent told me that the opening act was an Irish guy and the client was looking for someone to be "cool and fun" for the closer.  Irish music wouldn't be necessary since the opener was doing it.  Sounds like the perfect gig for yours truly!  But when I arrived, I learned the Irish guy never showed up.  So the first question I get is "How much Irish music do you do?"

Always the trooper, and always prepared, I had a small number of Irish tunes I could intersperse in my regular show, and that turned out to be all that was needed.  Maybe it was the wonderful spread of food.  Or the various wines on hand.  Or maybe it was me.  But by the end of the evening, people were dancing and singing to all of those great "Irish" hits like "My Girl" and "La Bamba."

After getting back home (a quick trip around the block), I was dismayed to find it wasn't an easy fix like a blown fuse.  Turns out the wiper drive arm broke off of the wiper motor.  Times like this I wish I had a garage to work in!  Standing outside in the rain, with darkness closing in, I tried desperately to fix it.  But this was something that wasn't going to be fixed in a short amount of time.  The area to work in was quite small (especially for my big hands ... great for piano playing, not so good for brain surgery!), it was getting dark, and the rain was coming down harder and harder.

Things were looking bleak.  I called my client who found a guy, 15 miles away, who was willing to come and get me and my gear.  It was then that I noticed my neighbor's Durango in the driveway.  A quick phone call to him, some begging and pleading, and I soon had a set of wheels.  Now don't ask how I got all of my stage gear into this SUV, but I managed somehow and made the gig, albeit an hour late.  I knew things would be okay when the room broke into thunderous applause just because I showed up!  And I was right.  It was a great gig and the party was a huge success.

I was able to fix the wipers the next day.  Ironically, it hasn't rained since!

Well, the first week of my new CD being released has been nothing short of astounding!  My thanks to all of you who have already purchased it.  I hope you're spreading the word about this great collection of dance music!

Speaking of Dancers ...

The Altoona Mirror newspaper ran a story about guide dogs that featured my pal Joe Fagnani, interim executive director of the Blair County Association for the Blind and Visually Handicapped.  Joe and his wife are regulars at the Holiday Ballroom.  They do a mean jitterbug.  And in case you're wondering, his guide dog doesn't dance ... it has two left feet!

You can read the story here.

Altoona, PA, February 11, 2010 - Zupe, known as Pennsylvania’s premier entertainer, has released an album of original songs for the ballroom dance crowd.  “Dance” includes twelve tracks written, produced, and performed by Zupe and his talented cadre of musicians from western Pennsylvania. 

Non-ballroom dance enthusiasts will enjoy this collection of songs that crosses a myriad of musical genres.  From the opening sounds of a bygone era to a rollicking honky tonk bar, listeners will experience a cornucopia of emotions.  Even though it may be only a samba, dancers will appreciate the carnival atmosphere created by “Solamente la Samba” and then find themselves transported in time by waltz steps to the strains of “Magnolia.”  Zupe’s lyrics encourage bystanders to “Dance for Me,” preferably the cha cha, while “I’m Hooked on You” will move the feet of merengue dancers and music lovers alike.  Dances from foxtrots and mambos to tangos and boleros can be found in this collection while the music runs the gamut from country to Latin. 

Zupe graces four tracks with vocals, co-written by longtime collaborator and guitarist Dave Nichols.  The rest of the album showcases a variety of talented musicians including Chuck Knepper who co-wrote three tracks and also played guitar.  Bassist Bill Smith, accordion player Dan Crosser (of Galla & Dan fame), violinist John Parrendo, pedal steel guitarist Gary Jacob, saxophonist Jamie Peck, flutist Vickie Jozefczyk, and acoustic guitarist Paul Kuzupas also contributed their considerable talents to “Dance.” Zupe plays the keyboards as well as the various brass instruments while handling all of the drum programming heard on the tracks.    

Zupe performs any number of his works at the various shows he headlines.  His entire  performance schedule can be found at his website, www.zupe.net. 

“Dance” can be purchased at CDBaby.com and at any of Zupe's shows for $10.00. 

Well, not quite.  Fabrizio will be flying in on Saturday morning.  We're scheduled to do some production for his soon-to-be-released CD.  It's a fabulous mix of World/Latin/Mediterranean music with quite the line-up of international musicians.  We'll be working almost non-stop through next week.