Home » Staff Directory » Member Page
Brandon Tomasello
Member Since: 2018 | Location: Philadelphia | Page Views: 1,195 
About Me
Bringing The Great American Songbook Back To Life
Brandon Tomasello was introduced to the performing arts at a young age. In the year 2000 , when the charter school boom in Philadelphia began its ascent, young Brandon entered the Philadelphia Performing Arts Charter School as a third grade student. Even in the school’s first year in existence, it enabled Brandon’s unique voice a place to be discovered. While he had always been naturally talented, Brandon’s love affair with music began when he was in the fourth grade. There was nothing unordinary when Brandon came home from school one particular spring day. As he entered his home, his grandmother was busy fixing dinner and was enjoying music as she worked. Brandon was immediately drawn toward the sound; more so than ever before. The Sound resonating throughout the house was none other than the infamous Frank Sinatra. After a two year tour with the Philadelphia Boys Choir, and graduating from Performing Arts in 2006, Brandon continued to pursue his love of music and the unique sound of Frank Sinatra on his own. He and his long time friend Stephen Garbesi built a recording studio in the architectural office building belonging to Brandon’s grandfather located behind is grandparent’s house. There he recorded his first album, “It’s My Time” produced by Garbesi under their own production company, FIMA Productions, Inc. In July of 2011 Brandon got his first break from Resorts Casino owner, Dennis Gomes. Mr. Gomes heard Brandon’s album and instantly wanted to have him perform in the casino’s new lounge “The Whiskey Bar”. There Brandon got his nickname “The Kid” from comedian, and SNL alum Joe Piscopo who would stop by periodically during Brandon’s year stay at the lounge. In November of that same year Brandon was told by Mr. Gomes that he would be moving from the 25 seat lounge, down the hall to the 1300 seat “Superstar Theater”, the same room Sinatra himself performed in many years before. With the help of Garbesi, Brandon performed “Sing Swing Sinatra” for six week in the theater using backing tracks, making Brandon the youngest person in Atlantic City history to have his own headlining extended show at 19 years old. After the run in the theater Brandon decided he needed to set the bar a little higher and start working with live bands. While working at Resorts, Brandon met noted drummer Mike Nigro. Mike took Brandon under his wing becoming his musical director helping Brandon get his own charts, write his shows, and have a better understanding of music. In June 2012, while singing in the lounge, Brandon met Theresa Wigand, who was a high roller at Resorts. During his breaks Theresa would say to Brandon, “I want to see you with a band”. The two partnered and in July they produced the show “Back In The Day” at Resorts. It was Brandon’s first performance with a live band. Brandon then recorded his second album, “You Don’t Know Me” to be released at his and Theresa’s second show together, in December of 2012. This was the first show Brandon titled, “The Kid” Sings Sinatra”. In August of 2014 Brandon assembled his own 10 piece band. The band is made up of students from Temple University and University of the Arts, with Mike Nigro on Drums and leader of the “Little Big Band”, as the calls it. In May of 2014 Brandon debuted the band at a benefit for the Linda Creed Breast Cancer .org. which is now scheduled to be an annual performance. In June of 2015 Brand made his first public performance with The Little Big Band in the Tropicana Show Room. Brandon’s plans include continued work on developing his own singing style while still honoring and paying tribute to Frank Sinatra and building his Little Big Band into a full orchestra.
Articles
Photos
Favorite Musicians / Bands
My Jazz Story
My House Concert Story
Favorite Places to See Jazz
Theme Song
Playlist
This page was last updated on 2020-10-18.
