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Richie Vitale

Richie Vitale's voice has become an indispensable part of the fabric we call today’s New York “sound”.

About Me

Richard Vitale, long a fixture on the New York Jazz scene, has performed on the bandstands, in the jazz clubs and recording studios for so long and so well, that his voice has become an indispensable part of the fabric we call today’s New York “sound”.

His music is that rich, its many layers that interesting, the performances that enlivening.

Just fresh from playing jazz trumpet in the Broadway show “Come Fly Away” featuring a 19-piece big band playing the music of Sinatra to the dancing of the Twyla Tharp Dance Troup, Richie has recorded his first CD for Gut String Records called “Vitalogy”.

Having been in the jazz chairs of Sinatra and Buddy Rich, he has been bringing his own personal sound to his CDs for decades now. His newest entry “Vitalogy” attests to a mature and elegant voice matched with emotion and brilliance.

Richie has led his jazz quintet on tours of Europe, Japan, Korea, the Middle East, San Francisco and LA and frequently appears in clubs throughout the New York Metropolitan area.

Trumpet soloist with Frank Sinatra for five years, he has also performed with such luminaries as Tony Bennett, Buddy Rich, James Taylor and Sting and was featured soloist with the Vanguard Orchestra, the Toshiko Akiyoshi Big Band, the Basie Band, and the Ellington Band.

Richie has taught Clinics and Master Classes at the Eastman School of Music, instructed the Jazz Ensemble at Long Island University and was Brass Instructor at Manhattan School of Music and Long Island University.

My Jazz Story

I love to play jazz, salsa dance and go kayaking! NYC has it all! My biggest thrill was working with Sinatra. Later I worked with Bennett and James Taylor. But mostly, I like to write and work with my quintet . . . it's a fun challenge.