Frank Valeriani

Frank J. Valeriani (pronounced Valeryani) was born in Newark (New Jersey). Started to study saxophone at age of 15. When his family moved to Italy he started his first band. The band was mediterranean blues oriented. In Italy he graduated from the music conservatory in Naples with excellent scores (magnum cum lauda). In those years he approched jazz with some of the best italian saxophone players, such as Franco Giancola, Anthony Balsamo, Maurizio Giammarco. After the conservatory years he started several bands (jazz - fusion -latin jazz etc), and partecipated to festivals that featured some of the best italian bands, such as Antonio Onorato trio, Jerry Popolo quartet, Marco Zurzolo band and many others. Then Frank moved to north Italy (Milano).

In Milano attended the C.P.M (Professional Music Center), probably the best alternative contemporary music school in Italy. At C.P.M. studied songwriting/arranging and more specifically studied jazz with a great saxophonist from New York : Michael Rosen (which graduated from Berklee college of music). After three years Frank also graduated from C.P.M. , and again with excellent scores.

During the “Italian years” he performed with some of the most well known italian pop artists, such as Wess, Rocky Roberts, Cristiano Malgioglio, Peppino Gagliardi, Nello Daniele etc. Also performed as music coordinator and conductor of the folk show “Quanno Tramonta 'o Sole”. This folkloristic show toured all over Italy for several years and featured some of the best napolitan singers such as Pamela Paris, Franco Cipriani and others. Although the most significant cooperation was with Maestro Gianni Mazza from R.A.I. TV (italian national tv conductor). With Maestro Mazza Frank toured all over Italy, performed on Italian tv networks and also jammed with Gege'Telesforo (italian jazz drummer-singer) and other italian artists.

At some point of his life, Frank decided to move back home, and picked Las Vegas for its hyper musical activity. In Vegas he performed with some of the best musicians in town, such as piano entertainers Dehner Franks and Ned Mills, saxophonist Tommy Alverado (former musician of Joe Cocker's band), guitarists Paul Mills and Eddy Pascua (from Hawaii) etc. Many popular bands in town book Frank for their important gigs. To be mentioned : In10ct - Touch & Go - Rags - ChickRock etc. After several years in Vegas, Frank received a call from crooner Steve Rossi (from the Allen & Rossi comedy team). For a whole year Frank was Steve Rossi's music coordinator and saxophone player. Steve in his shows usually hosted some special guests. This was Frank's opportunity to perform with historical names such as The Platters, The Drifters, jazz singer Nancy Kelly from New York and it's worth to be mentioned the night that the great Tony Bennett showed up in one of Steve Rossi's shows.

Beside all cooperations, Frank also performs with the Frank Valeriani Band all over the town. Recently promoting his first release : ”Sax Supreme - live in vegas”.

Frank is a 360 degrees artist. He loves jazz - smooth jazz - pop, doubles on percussions, rythm guitar & keyboards and enjoys back up singing when required. He also teaches saxophone and harmony in music schools. His unique sense of melody also enables him to compose and arrange wonderful songs. Recently in his recording studio he produced a cd for the romantic love singer Richard Villa : “Dreaming all along”

”Richard is a contemporary love poet, beside a great singer...” Frank often says. Listeners all agree that Richard's lyrics and Frank's music combined are terrific.

When asked : “What's music to you ?” Frank always answers : ”Music is the sound of your soul, enriched with all the experiences of your life”. Show less