Steve D'Agostino Singin' & Swingin' The Great American Songbook September 10, 2011

Steve D'Agostino has been performing the songs from the "Great American Songbook" for 20 years. His journey to a commitment of "expression" through the music and lyrics made popular in the United States and around the world by vocalist such as Frank Sinatra, Bobby Darin, Tony Bennett, Dean Martin, Elvis Presley, and Johnny Cash took root a long time ago.

At the age of 8, Steve responded enthusiastically to the opportunity of attending weekly guitar lessons. Playing the guitar and listening to classic vocal performances of standard tunes with his dad at a young age provided Steve with the essential experience and exposure that began to mold his understanding of melody, harmony and rhythm.

At the age of 14, while attending St. Joseph's high school in Trumbull, Steve began to study guitar with Tony Purrone and Sal Salvador at the University of Bridgeport. During his course of study with these university professors, Steve secured a position playing guitar with the University of Bridgeport Big Band under the direction on Gary Riggerio.

In the early 80's, Steve started playing guitar and singing "live" with his first band "Finesse". The band experienced quite a following and established themselves as a successful GB (general business) group in Connecticut performing an average of 100 engagements a year. As Steve continued to evolve, his voice began to be an essential skill that his band began to rely on. As a result of his vocal development, in the the late 80's, Steve began to dedicate himself more on the development of his singing skills.

Today, Steve's 20 plus years of experience are evident with every performance as he tenderly delivers melodies on ballads or relaxes the placement of a lyric on any "medium" to "up-tempo" swing tune. This vocal artistry has taken Steve from "coast to coast" and through the dedication of he and his live band, Steve has become "the standard" of this genre of music on the local scene.

Steve continues to honor and maintain the tradition of the Great American Songbook today by humbly interpreting the timeless music and lyrics of Cole Porter, Ira Gershwin, Harold Arlen, Johnny Mercer, Jimmy Van Heusen and Sammy Cahn. Every time he stands in front of an audience, his interpretations of these great american songs reminds his audience about the skill and importance of the "art and craft" of songwriting and public performance.

Official Website: http://www.41bridgestreet.com/calendar/index.php?id=202