L'Italo-Americano

THURSDAY, JULY 27, 2023 www.italoamericano.org L'Italo-Americano 2 T he last of the iconic quartet has de- parted. The allur- ing realm of the grand crooners has closed its doors, ending a golden era etched in the warmth, per- fection, and emotional richness of hundreds of songs. Music and ambiance; an intimate, entranc- ing tone that required no special effects to capture the stage. Just the voice, the performance, the sensuality of music were sufficient. Each had their unique style, hits, repertoire, yet a shared thread ties them together. Their names were Dino Paolo Martino Crocetti, Pierino Ronald Como, Francis Albert Sinatra, Anthony Dominick Benedetto. Or as we know them, Dean Martin, Perry Como, Frank Sinatra, and Tony Bennett. These four crooners par A musical full house with the queen: The Italian- American world of the Crooners From the Editor excellence, stalwarts of American musical history, share their roots in the vast Italian-American family. They neither spoke nor sang in Italian, but they propelled classic sounds and melodies to the limelight, enchanting those who were raised with a soundtrack of Bel Canto. Their unmatched musical ensemble established a self-sus- taining genre, that managed to build an audience and foster musical appreciation for a harmonious, understated, emo- tional style. They crafted a timeless soundtrack, eternally fashionable, that transcended generations. The collaboration between Stefani Joanne Angelina Ger- manotta, more commonly known as Lady Gaga, and an aging Tony Bennett exemplifies this. Multiple collaborations between them leveraged each other's experiences, vocal prowess, and fan bases. They bridged two seemingly incom- patible worlds: the effervescent pop queen and his refined, collected world, the young and the old. This universality lies not only in their musical talent but also flows subtly beneath their social narratives. A shared identity, a common cultural history, an ancient heritage, bind them. He has Calabrian roots, and she Sicilian, origins subtly present in their fully American public lives, a silent sense of belonging that marches alongside mutual professional respect. Come September, The Lady and The Legend will stream the tale of the decade-long friendship that drew Lady Gaga closer to the icon of American jazz. The near-centenarian's influence on the eclectic, gifted artist, known as much for her chameleon-like transformations as her phenomenal musical talent, is the crux of the documentary. His son, Danny Ben- nett, explains that it uncovers the solidarity between two singers or, more accurately, two individuals pursuing the same profession. In a way, it echoes the relationship Bennett and Sinatra shared decades ago. Danny Bennett shared with Variety, "They met at a time when she was struggling, following Artpop and the end of her partnership with Troy Carter, her former manager, which had her doubting herself. Tony helped her, encourag- ing her to believe in herself and persevere. Then, when he needed it, she was there to support him." With kindness and empathy, she guided him as Alzheimer's disease progressed. Their genuine, deeply human connection might explain why both Cheek To Cheek and Love For Sale resonated so profoundly with the audience, garnering immense success. Their collaboration wasn't a commercial endeavor but a shared decision, a challenge, an opportunity for mutual growth. And as we move into a different subject, let's hold on to these final words: choice, challenge, growth. L'Italo-Americano continually draws inspiration from these tenets to present its readers with an ever-evolving newspaper, consistently true to its roots but innovative. It refreshes its content, pushes its boundaries. It strives to cater to its faithful audience's tastes while offering new, exciting avenues within the tradition's framework. The latest addition to our pages is the linguistic challenge posed by crosswords. Readers can immerse themselves in this game that fuels curiosity and research, tests their Italian-ness, and aids in honing their vocabulary with each new edition. Enjoy! Simone Schiavinato, Editor Simone Schiavinato NEWS & FEATURES TOP STORIES PEOPLE EVENTS P.O.BOX 6528, ALTADENA, CA 91003 Member of FUSIE (Federazione Unitaria Stampa Italianaall'Estero), COGITO L'Italo-Americano PLEASE SEND CORRESPONDENCE TO P.O. BOX 6528, ALTADENA, CA 91003 www.italoamericano.org L'Italo-Americano Newspaper (a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization), www.italoamericano.org, is the largest and longest-running Italian newspaper in America, not to mention the cultural and news resource for all things Italian in the US. A bilingual newspaper which repre- sents an historical landmark for the Italian American Communities in the West Coast and throughout the US. L'Italo-Americano benefits from subsidies by the Italian Government, Memberships and Donations intended to support and not interrupt a mission that began in 1908 to preserve and promote the Italian language and culture in the USA Periodicals postage paid at Monrovia, California 91016, and additional mailing offices. PUBLISHER Robert Barbera Grande Ufficiale EDITOR IN CHIEF Simone Schiavinato ADMINISTRATIVE MANAGER Patrick Abbate EDITORIAL COORDINATOR Barbara Minafra COPY EDITOR Francesca Bezzone LOS ANGELES CONTRIBUTOR Silvia Nittoli SAN FRANCISCO CONTRIBUTORS Serena Perfetto SEATTLE CONTRIBUTOR Rita Cipalla CONTRIBUTING WRITERS Mariella Radaelli, Matt Walker, Francesca Bezzone, Luca Ferrari, Stefano Carnevali, Paula Reynolds, Nicoletta Curradi, Generoso D'Agnese, Jessica S. Levy, Fabrizio Del Bimbo, Maria Gloria, Chuck Pecoraro, Anthony Di Renzo Serena Perfetto, Kenneth Scambray, Chiara D'Alessio, Chuck Pecoraro, Luca Signorini, Giulia Franceschini © 2020 L'Italo-Americano Membership: One year $59 - Single copy $2.25 POSTMASTER: Send address changes to L'Italo Americano PO Box 6528 Altadena, CA 91003 P.O.BOX 6528, ALTADENA, CA 91003

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