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Zappacosta Kicks Off National Tour With Four (4) Thank You Performances For Fans
March 21st – Casino Nova Scotia- Halifax, NS
March 28th – Casino Nova Scotia- Halifax, NS
April 4th - Casino Nova Scotia- Halifax, NS
April 5th – Private Function
April 11th - Casino Nova Scotia- Halifax, NS
April 12th – The Somerset – Saint John, NB
April 13th – The Cedar Tree Café – Fredericton, NB
April 23rd-24th – The Minstrel Café – Kelowna BC
April 25th – Bozzini’s – Chilliwack, BC
April 26th-27th – Blue Frog Studios – White Rock, BC
 What the fans are saying…. “I just "discovered" you a few years ago and have been ardently following. I need to thank you for restoring my faith in modern music and for demonstrating that there is still a need for great, intellectual arrangements and lyrics” - Denis Thievin
What his contemporaries are saying… “I’ve always had a soft spot for your good heart and the songs that emanate from it.” – Ian Thomas
For Immediate Release: March 12th 2013 - Alfie Zappacosta returns to the stage and will begin his tour with four (4) shows free to the public taking place at Casino Nova Scotia in March and April.
“It never fails to amaze me…the energy I receive from my fans”, reflects Zappacosta. They have been incredibly patient with me as I struggled with health issues and my loss over the last year. I am thrilled to be able to offer these shows as a BIG thank you for standing by me. I want to thank Casino Nova Scotia for providing the perfect venue to host the performances.”
He is joined in Atlantic Canada by Silvio Pupo on piano and Danny Sutherland on bass. Edmonton’s Andrew Glover will join him on piano for his Western dates. If you have a penchant for intelligent lyrics and a passionate vocal delivery this show is not to be missed. Zappacosta’s performances reflect his mastery at romance and his advanced knowledge of music. There is a touch of old world beauty in his songs that reflect the songbook greats. He delivers a blend of acoustic, jazz and pop music that are destined to become classics. And the hits that brought Zappacosta to the world's attention, including Nothing Can Stand in Your Way, Passion, When I Fall in Love Again, We Should Be Lovers and Start Again - Zappacosta hasn't turned his back on any of these songs. They are high-quality and fit perfectly into his new music and arrangements.
A Heartbreaking 2012
The year 2012 was heartbreaking for Zappacosta, whose wife of more than 30 years, Sonny, died suddenly last July from an anemia related illness. Months earlier, Zappacosta was diagnosed with type-2 diabetes; by summer, he had a pacemaker put in to fix a low pulse. Then, in the fall, along came the bleeding ulcers. “It was an outlandish year for me”, recalls Zappacosta. It was shocking when my wife died. Her death was sudden. I was in the hospital receiving a pacemaker while my wife passed away. There have been some very, very sad times indeed.” With a regimented routine, proper rest, exercise and a healthy diet that includes a reprieve from alcohol and other stimulants, Alfie is ready to take the stage once again. Through it all, he has taken refuse in the loving support of his family. “My daughter Carly, a nurse, has been helping me to learn how to manage my new health realities including my diabetes. Her support and the love of my son Cooper and granddaughter Amelia have pulled me through some dark times
Meanwhile, Zappacosta spent parts of 2012 building on a career rebirth thanks in part to a CD/DVD “Live From Blue Frog Studios”. Produced brilliantly by Alfie Zappacosta and Pat Glover, in front of an intimate audience at the Blue Frog Studios & Performance Centre in White Rock BC, the DVD delivers an authentic look at Zappacosta today – Adorned in an Armani suit and white hair, he skillfully takes command of the presentation that showcases his songwriting, his vocal prowess, his guitar mastery and the nuances in his emotive stage delivery that will have you engaged from beginning to end. The DVD is engineered by the impressive Pat Glover and edited by Scott White with Shinobi Creative Productions.
Live From Blue Frog Studios’ music and arrangements are supported by a remarkable group of musicians from across Canada – the consummate Claudio Vena on viola and accordion, Edmonton’s Andrew Glover on keyboards, The Heartbroken’s Blake Manning on drums and percussion, David Babcock wailing on all saxes and BC’s John Taylor on bass. The music grooves and sways to soulful. And the hits that brought Zappacosta to the world's attention? “When I Fall in Love Again”, “Passion”, “Start Again” and “Spread Myself Too Thin” all make appearances on the CD and DVD. The songs are timeless and fit effortlessly into his new music and arrangements.
Above all, one of the elite pleasures of this live recording and DVD has to be the brilliant engineering. Pat Glover has delivered a rich, full-bodied recording. Recorded, mixed and mastered for a listening experience, the mix is airy allowing for all instrumentation to come through while still highlighting the shades in Zappacosta’s seductive vocal performance. You can hear every instrument and subtle melody. It is highly recommended that you enjoy this project on great headphones or quality speakers for a maximum listening experience. No trends, no hype -This is pure music…pure art…pure Zappacosta.
Zappacosta’s music came to the world's attention in the mid-eighties when "Start Again”, “When I Fall in Love Again” and “Nothing Can Stand In Your Way” became staples on adult contemporary radio. Zappacosta became a Rock Star. In 1987, Walt Disney's Danger Bay producer approached Zappacosta with a script written specifically for him. The episode "Rock Star" catapulted Zappacosta to a new kind of fame in acting.
In the same year, he penned "Overload", which was written and performed exclusively for the multi-platinum soundtrack "Dirty Dancing" and Loverboy recorded Zappacosta's "That's Where The Money Goes" for their Wildside album. He is awarded two JUNO’s for "Album of The Year “and “Most Promising Artist”, an American Music Award for "Most Popular Album of The Year" and a Canadian Publishers Music Association's "Best Rock Star" Interviews and high res photo: Available upon request Tracks from DVD “L - Live Performance Website - Facebook - Music Clips
Words by Zappacosta - Sit back…have a glass of your favorite soother…and reflect on life’s nuances with this poignant collection of writings by Zappacosta.
For more information: A Zee Records Inc. 902 477 9594 Email
DIRTY DANCING: THE DELUXE ANNIVERSARY EDITION Presents Original 12-Song Album
 Bonus Features of this Special 25th Anniversary CD Fan Edition Include Six Ready-to-Frame Art Cards with Iconic Movie Images, a Bumper Sticker, and a New Hardcover Package with Liner Notes by Executive Producer Jimmy Ienner, Producers Michael Lloyd and Leon Medica, and Producer-Performers Eric Carmen and Zappacosta
NEW YORK, July 30, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- Responding to the feedback from loyal fans around the world, Legacy Recordings presents DIRTY DANCING: THE DELUXE ANNIVERSARY EDITION, which presents the original 12-song album of 1987, along with new bonus features. This special commemorative project reflects Legacy's direct survey of a portion of the millions of Dirty Dancing fans on Facebook who responded and wished to maintain the experience of the original release by showcasing the original running order of the album as it was first released, without bonus tracks. This special fan edition CD package will be available everywhere September 25th through RCA/Legacy, a division of SONY MUSIC ENTERTAINMENT.
DIRTY DANCING: THE DELUXE ANNIVERSARY EDITION will contain a number of exciting additions specifically requested by the fans, starting with the package's dedication to the movie's star, the late Patrick Swayze (1952-2009). The image-driven CD booklet contains six ready-to-frame art cards showing iconic images from the movie, plus a newly-designed bumper sticker. Fans also voted on the CD cover image from four images proposed by Legacy, and overwhelmingly chose to retain the original "Lift" image.
"From the birth, 25 years ago," writes executive producer Jimmy Ienner, "to the never-ending success of the movie and the soundtracks, I'm very proud of all my great producers and the extremely talented artists that contributed so much to the very satisfying rollercoaster ride called Dirty Dancing. I'm also very indebted to anyone involved in any way on the music and the film sides of this wonderful journey. Lastly, but no less important, to the devoted fans around the world for the unbelievable continued support. Keep carrying the watermelons and enjoying the lifts."
The accompanying booklet includes behind-the-scenes liner notes written by the song producers, starting with Jimmy Ienner. The stellar producers themselves then offer their own thoughts, including: Eric Carmen, singer and producer of "Hungry Eyes"; Leon Medica, producer of "Where Are You Tonight?" (sung by Tom Johnston); Alfie Zappacosta, singer and producer of "Overload"; and Michael Lloyd, producer of "She's Like the Wind" (written and sung by Patrick Swayze), "(I've Had) The Time of My Life" sung by Bill Medley and Jennifer Warnes, and "Yes" sung by Merry Clayton;
(Note: Eric Carmen and Zappacosta served double duty as both producers and performers of their respective tracks.)
2012 marks the 25th anniversary of Dirty Dancing, named one of the Top 10 Date Movies of all time by an E! Entertainment Television poll, with worldwide box office sales of more than $214 million since its opening in 1987. Worldwide CD sales of the best-selling original RCA soundtrack album are in excess of 42 million copies, 11-times RIAA platinum in the U.S. alone.
A cornerstone of '80s pop culture, Dirty Dancing reflected back on the early-'60s culture of summer vacation life at a resort in New York's Catskill Mountains (although it was filmed on location in Virginia and North Carolina). With its heavenly mix of generation gap melodrama, well-programmed rock, R&B, Latin and pre-disco music, coming-of-age sexuality among its teens, and of course plenty of laughs and "dirty dancing," the movie has stood the test of time over the last quarter-century.
DIRTY DANCING: THE DELUXE ANNIVERSARY EDITION (RCA/Legacy 88725 43528 2, originally issued August 1987, as RCA 6408) Selections: 1. (I've Had) The Time Of My Life / Love Theme performed by Bill Medley & Jennifer Warnes 2. Be My Baby / The Ronettes 3. She's Like The Wind / Patrick Swayze (featuring Wendy Fraser) 4. Hungry Eyes / Eric Carmen 5. Stay / Maurice Williams & The Zodiacs 6. Yes / Merry Clayton 7. You Don't Own Me / The Blow Monkeys 8. Hey Baby / Bruce Channel 9. Overload / Zappacosta 10. Love Is Strange / Mickey & Sylvia 11. Where Are You Tonight? / Tom Johnston 12. In The Still Of The Night / The Five Satins. SOURCE Legacy Recordings Available at Amazon.com
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Live From Blue Frog Studios - CD Release |
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 ALFIE ZAPPACOSTA
Live From Blue Frog Studios
Independent The world is a brighter place because of this man… an artist, performer, actor. He has a special gift when it comes to bearing his soul. His past is storied, his songs are passionate, his voice is fiery… fans of Zappacosta already know this. Canada is very proud to call him their own, with Junos and million sellers, but Zappacosta actually started his life on Italian soil and migrated to Canada with his family. He’s considered a rock star in his adopted land… blending jazz, pop, and heartfelt vocals for more than 30 years, the result is an emotionally connected signature sound. LIVE AT BLUE FROG STUDIOS CD & DVD is the fastest way we know how to connect you to this world-class entertainer. A mix of tunes from the past and present with a band that knows the composer’s songs intimately; his performance is clean, pure and integral. I’m left wanting to listen over and over and secretly desiring a chance encounter with the man known only as Zappacosta! ~SANDY SHORE
     
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Review of Live From BlueFrog Studios |
New Live Recording and Performance DVD “Live from Blue Frog Studios”
Shatters Stereotype Image of the 80’s
For Immediate Release Edmonton, AB – July 16th 2012 - It can be difficult for music fans to let go of music styles or arrangements that helped shape their generation. Zappacosta knows all about it and how challenging it can be to break through to new audiences even with, or maybe because of, a legacy of success. The 80’s were good to Zappacosta. He became a chart topping artist, a JUNO award winner, twice, and an American Music Award Winner for his contribution of “Overload” to the platinum selling Dirty Dancing soundtrack which is set to be re-released for its 30th anniversary in the coming year.
“I enjoyed my younger pop years. Sometimes my children will play the music, videos or the Danger Bay episode and have a great laugh at my expense”, grins a playful Zappacosta, “but honestly, it has been both a curse and a blessing. I love the stability that the hits provided for my family; however Zappacosta in spandex, screaming over monitors would be a dreadful sight at my age! It was a very long time ago. I have enjoyed the evolution of my music and career and the opportunities it has afforded me – live theatre, movie roles and such. I hope for many more.”
Zappacosta’s seven recordings and countless live performances since 1996 reflect his true calling - his mastery at romance, his heartfelt lyrics, his incomparable voice and his advanced knowledge of music. His latest CD and DVD “Live From Blue Frog Studios” shatters the stereotype of Zappacosta in the 1980’s. Produced brilliantly by Alfie Zappacosta and Pat Glover, in front of an intimate audience at the Blue Frog Studios & Performance Centre in White Rock BC, the DVD delivers an authentic look at Zappacosta today – Adorned in an Armani suit and white hair, he skillfully takes command of the presentation that showcases his songwriting, his vocal prowess, his guitar mastery and the nuances in his emotive stage delivery that will have you engaged from beginning to end. The DVD is engineered by the impressive Pat Glover and edited by Scott White with Shinobi Creative Productions.
Live From Blue Frog Studios’ music and arrangements are supported by a remarkable group of musicians from across Canada – the consummate Claudio Vena on viola and accordion, Edmonton’s Andrew Glover on keyboards, The Heartbroken’s Blake Manning on drums and percussion, David Babcock wailing on all saxes and BC’s John Taylor on bass. The music grooves and sways to soulful. And the hits that brought Zappacosta to the world's attention? “When I Fall in Love Again”, “Passion”, “Start Again” and “Spread Myself Too Thin” all make appearances on the CD and DVD. The songs are timeless and fit effortlessly into his new music and arrangements. No trends, no hype -This is pure music…pure art…pure Zappacosta.
An Unpolluted Sound Experience
Above all, one of the elite pleasures of this live recording and DVD has to be the brilliant engineering. Pat Glover has delivered a rich, full-bodied recording. Recorded, mixed and mastered for a listening experience, the mix is airy allowing for all instrumentation to come through while still highlighting the shades in Zappacosta’s seductive vocal performance. You can hear every instrument and subtle melody. It is highly recommended that you enjoy this project on great headphones or quality speakers for a maximum listening experience. Zappacosta’s vocals are transmitted through a KMS 105 Neumann microphone.
The DVD is now available at www.iamzappacosta.com or at live performances.
Words by Zappacosta - Sit back…have a glass of your favorite soother…and reflect on life’s nuances with this poignant collection of writings by Zappacosta.
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Music Review: Alfie Zappacosta - Live From Blue Frog Studios
by Bob Mersereau
Mon, Mar 19, 2012
Alfie Zappacosta is not a Maritimer. But he could have been, and in some ways, he is. The Zappacosta family arrived in Canada in 1953 from Italy, landing at Halifax's Pier 21, with Alfie just six months old. Playing to a packed Stayner's Wharf club crowd, Zappacosta admits he has no memories of it: "I know I had oranges, and I was allergic to them, and got hives." The family ended up in Toronto, but Halifax has continued to be a place he returns to with regularity, for shows, and even his side career in acting. His role in Jesus Christ Superstar (with Heather Rankin of The Rankins) in 2001 made him a favourite here, something that continues.
The same role in 1994 took him to Edmonton, which is where he has made his home since. "It was a quiet, perfect spot to raise kids, and I still love my neighbourhood," he says. That's a pretty sensible, stable attitude, one that has typified his career over the past two decades. An 80's hitmaker, his singles and albums made him a star, including When I Fall (In Love Again) and Nothing Could Stand In Your Way, the latter written with David Foster. His cut Overload on the soundtrack for the movie Dirty Dancing put his name around the world, with sales of 42 million copies. It no doubt also made him a small fortune, and would continue to generate healthy royalty cheques. But money, it seems, isn't everything to Zappacosta. Music, and musical integrity is, however.
At a time when his contemporaries enjoy the festival and casino circuit, playing faithful renditions of their old hits, Zappacosta has decided to stay off that path. "I wouldn't want to put on the spandex," he laughs. For the past two decades, he's made the music he wants, which won't put him on any pop charts or outdoor stages. Sick of being told what to do by music companies, he followed his muse. That Zappacosta music has a lot of smooth jazz in it, lots of his deft acoustic guitar, and lots of new songs too, his touch for romantic ballads and elegant chord changes as strong as ever.
The Halifax shows were stripped-down affairs, Zappacosta long ago learning the economies of touring Canada. For Eastern shows, he works with the brilliant Cuban pianist Sylvio Pupo, now a Canadian resident, living in Moncton. Out west, he has a different set of players, which can bulk up to a six-piece group, including viola and sax. That's the band that joins him for his latest disc and DVD, Live From Blue Frog Studios, recorded last year in White Rock, B.C. With the group, the jazz groove comes out more, but with his strong pop flare in the melodies, and any fans of latter-day Steely Dan would jump on board. Zappacosta has written lots of this kind of material over the past few years, certainly equal to his past hits. Recent numbers such as You Make Me Laugh, Bella, and Blame It On Me all groove, plus have an intense romantic quality that few dare display. Blame it on the Italian in him, perhaps? Whatever, they strike a chord with a lot of admirers in the audience.
Most surprising are the adaptations of his old hits. Zappacosta is justifiably proud of them, too, but they were from a different time. Stripped of the 80's production, played with rich acoustic chords, the words to the front, you gain a new appreciation for the craftsmanship that went into them.
The new DVD and CD have a mix of old and new, with the band tight and the sound crystal-clean. It's not a rock show, there's no theatrics, and the focus is on the music. Alfie Zappacosta doesn't have to trot out the old stuff for applause, and be somebody he doesn't want to be. The focus, for him, and on the recordings, is on the music.
http://www.cbc.ca/nb/mt/east-coast-music/2012/03/music-review-alfie-zappacosta---live-from-blue-frog-studios.html
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.jpg "az artwork oct2010 (small).jpg") Alfie Zappacosta is a well known musician and now his new talent as a painter is now displayed for the public to view. Alfie has donated his own artwork to A Bush of Hope which in an online auction to raise funds for the Kidney Foundation of Canada. The auction is hosted on eBay October 21st to 31st 2010.
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