Blue Moon - Ithaca, NY - Swing Band, Dance Band - Mike Vitucci, Jim Lawrence, Peter Forlano

Blue Moon

Swing & Rock n' Roll band from Ithaca, NY

Here is a fun, versatile band that brings a cohesive, professional and dynamic performance to any event. The songbook is a satisfying mix of familiar favorites, including Swing, Rock 'n' Roll, Soul, and Ballads. Each of the talented and experienced musicians of Blue Moon bring their own high standards and versatility to the group -- together, they have the synergy and authentic groove that distinguishes a genuine band and from a bunch of individual musicians on stage at the same time. The band can cater to your specific needs and is equally engaging for listening or dancing!

Jim Lawrence has been playing for over 30 years in the Ithaca and upstate New York music scene, playing styles from Jazz, Folk, Motown, Fusion, and Pop to New Wave, Bluegrass and Rock n' Roll. Jim's band "The Backtalk Band" currently plays for weddings and private parties, as well as Tom Knight's Blue Moon swing band. In 1984 his band "The Choice" won the BBC Great American Rock n' Roll Talent Search. From 1985 to 1991 Jim was the lead singer in "The Kinetics", and has recorded at Electric Wilburland Studios, MasterView Soundcrafts Studios, and Pyramid Sound Studios. Jim has been in opening acts for Graham Parker, The Del Fuegos and The Gang of Four.

Lead guitarist Mike Vitucci, while an ace rhythm player, is best known for his hot, hit-the-spot solos -- agile, melodic, funky -- you have to hear them. Mike launched his career long ago in NYC with "Sniffles and the Malt Shop Men." In his 20 years in Ithaca, Mike has been a star of Bernie Milton's Soul Patrol, as well as many other bands.

Peter Forlano, saxophone, clarinet, began playing in Rock 'n Roll and jazz bands at the tender age of 14. He got his chops at the Berklee College of Music in Boston and with the saxophonist John Slate in Ithaca, NY. "I left Berkley early to pursue a design career, years later I met John, himself a Berklee grad and he helped fill in the blanks for me."
Since moving to Ithaca in 1979, Peter has played with the Ithaca Ageless Jazz Band, and in horn sections of the Latin dance band Rising Sign, the swing and r&r band Tom Knight and the Blue Moon, and the R&B soul band Destination as well as his own Peter Forlano Trio and Quartet.
Aside from all of his musical activities, Peter is a professional interior designer with B.F.A and M.A from Pratt Institute and Cornell University Peter is especially gratified to have designed, Madeline's and ZaZa's Cucina, two of the most popular restaurants in Ithaca, NY.

John White specializes in diversity and is equally at home in the worlds of jazz, classical, and popular music. He has performed with a number of artists such as Paul Hanson, Mike Tomaro, Joe Negri, Wycliffe Gordon, and Roger Humphries. One highlight of his experience includes ongoing duo and small group collaborations with jazz vocalist and free improviser Rhiannon.
In the past few years he has been increasingly active as a clinician at workshops devoted to jazz theory and improvisation. John is currently Associate Professor of Music Theory, History, and Composition at Ithaca College and is also the Music Director and Organist for St. Paul's United Methodist Church in Ithaca, NY.

Contact:

Mike Vitucci: [mv15@cornell.edu]

Jim Lawrence [JSL10@cornell.edu]

Peter Forlano: [pforlano@twcny.rr.com]

	Jim Lawrence has been playing for over 30 years in the Ithaca and upstate New York music scene, playing styles from Jazz, Folk, Motown, Fusion, and Pop to New Wave, Bluegrass and Rock n' Roll. Jim's band "The Backtalk Band" currently plays for weddings and private parties, as well as Tom Knight's Blue Moon swing band. In 1984 his band "The Choice" won the BBC Great American Rock n' Roll Talent Search. From 1985 to 1991 Jim was the lead singer in "The Kinetics", and has recorded at Electric Wilburland Studios, MasterView Soundcrafts Studios, and Pyramid Sound Studios. Jim has been in opening acts for Graham Parker, The Del Fuegos and The Gang of Four.
	Lead guitarist Mike Vitucci, while an ace rhythm player, is best known for his hot, hit-the-spot solos -- agile, melodic, funky -- you have to hear them. Mike launched his career long ago in NYC with "Sniffles and the Malt Shop Men." In his 20 years in Ithaca, Mike has been a star of Bernie Milton's Soul Patrol, as well as many other bands.
	Peter Forlano, saxophone, clarinet, began playing in Rock 'n Roll and jazz bands at the tender age of 14. He got his chops at the Berklee College of Music in Boston and with the saxophonist John Slate in Ithaca, NY. "I left Berkley early to pursue a design career, years later I met John, himself a Berklee grad and he helped fill in the blanks for me." Since moving to Ithaca in 1979, Peter has played with the Ithaca Ageless Jazz Band, and in horn sections of the Latin dance band Rising Sign, the swing and r&r band Tom Knight and the Blue Moon, and the R&B soul band Destination as well as his own Peter Forlano Trio and Quartet. Aside from all of his musical activities, Peter is a professional interior designer with B.F.A and M.A from Pratt Institute and Cornell University Peter is especially gratified to have designed, Madeline's and ZaZa's Cucina, two of the most popular restaurants in Ithaca, NY.
	John White specializes in diversity and is equally at home in the worlds of jazz, classical, and popular music. He has performed with a number of artists such as Paul Hanson, Mike Tomaro, Joe Negri, Wycliffe Gordon, and Roger Humphries. One highlight of his experience includes ongoing duo and small group collaborations with jazz vocalist and free improviser Rhiannon. In the past few years he has been increasingly active as a clinician at workshops devoted to jazz theory and improvisation. John is currently Associate Professor of Music Theory, History, and Composition at Ithaca College and is also the Music Director and Organist for St. Paul's United Methodist Church in Ithaca, NY.