Take Five with Vocalist Vanessa Racci

Meet Vanessa Racci

Vanessa Racci is a jazz singer of Italian American descent with a passion for retro jazz and music made famous by Italian Americans. She has recorded two albums (Italiana Fresca and Jazzy Italian) and produces and performs in several shows that celebrate American jazz, Italian American music and their contributions to jazz and pop in the US. Jazzy Italian (Zoho Records, 2022) celebrates Italian Americans who made their mark on jazz in the U.S. such as Louis Prima, Harry Warren, Henry Mancini, Chick Corea and many others. This album was ranked the top 10 traditional jazz albums of 2022 by RMR and has been programmed on Siriusly Sinatra in addition to 150+ other radio stations. Its producer and arranger, Steven Feifke, won a 2023 Grammy. It was released in vinyl format on August 11 with a launch show at Pierson Park, Tarrytown NY, presented by Jazz Forum Arts.

Instrument:

Voice.

Teachers and/or influences?

Oh yes! I've had many wonderful teachers throughout the years. I would say my first teacher is my grandfather, Francesco Prisciantelli, as he introduced me to the Italian American songbook and jazz (namely Frank Sinatra, Nat King Cole, Dean Martin, Connie Francis, Lou Monte, Jerry Vale, etc). When I was in grade school, I studied classical voice and musical theater with Mack Norton and then later on honed my jazz style with Alexis Cole at SUNY Purchase and Jackie Presti (who was my vocal producer on my latest album). I continue to be influenced by Ella Fitzgerald, Julie London, Sarah Vaughan, Frank Sinatra, who I listen to routinely, and new singers who I love such as Alexis Cole, Danny Bacher, Jane Monheit, Lena Prima, Nicole Zuraitis, Samara Joy and Veronica Swift.

I knew I wanted to be a musician when...

I was 18. I won the Helen Hayes Award for the best vocal performance in a leading role for Christine in Phantom. It was then that I realized I could be a singer professionally.

Your sound and approach to music.

I would say I have a very natural but flexible sound (without affect or gimmick). I use what I have and more of my natural speaking voice. I try and give every song what it calls for based on the message and emotion it evokes. When learning each song or embarking on a new project, I always speak the lyrics first, think about what they mean to me, and then let the vision for an arrangement evolve from there.

Your teaching approach

When it comes to teaching students, I was trained by NYVC and take a more "sports science" approach. The vocal cords are muscles, just like any other, and professional singers should be treated like professional athletes. We have to train our vocal cords to do things that other humans can't (to sing three-hour gigs, hit high notes, hold a note for 30 seconds, scat with agility, perform 4-8 shows per week, etc.). These are the type of skills that separate the professional singer from the hobbyist and they need to be trained appropriately with daily vocal warm ups, stretches, etc. just like athletes do on the field.

Your dream band

My ideal band is musicians that aren't only talented, but have experience being sensitive to singers both musically and emotionally (which tend to be one in the same). Musicians I would love to work with in the future are Nicole Zuraitis, Emmet Cohen, Billy Stritch, Michael Feinstein, and pipe dream; Michael Buble and Lady Gaga.

Road story: Your best or worst experience

My best experience has to be at Birdland Jazz Club, NYC. I always feel like a star there and am treated like royalty from dressing room accommodations to sound tech, stage, promotion, merch, etc. They really thought out the full performer's experience. I love any venue that considers the performer's perspective and needs. The worst experiences are the ones where the sound techs don't listen to singer's input and claim they know everything but can't get reverb into the in ear monitor.

Favorite venue

Oh I guess I answered this above. Birdland NYC is definitely my favorite venue. I also love Chelsea Table and Stage and the Poli Club a the Palace in CT. Their sound is phenomenal and the atmosphere is elegant. The same goes for the Paramount, Peekskill, NY. There's a new NYC venue I'm performing at as well that is more intimate and casual called Winnie's Jazz Bar at the Refinery hotel NYC. It's a real speakeasy type of jazz experience and I love that throwback feel.

Your favorite recording in your discography and why?

Ooh. It's not the most popular, but I think my favorite is our cover of Chick Corea's "You're Everything" on my album, Jazzy Italian, because it reminds me of my husband and has such a happy, loving vibe. Steven Feifke made a killer arrangement.

What do you think is the most important thing you are contributing musically?

I think the most important thing I'm contributing musically is my heart. I really put that into everything I do. As an Italian American, I also like to represent the jazz artists of Italian descent who made their mark on jazz in the U.S.

Did you know...

Hmm... I'm kind of an open book, so most people know everything about me. I auditioned for American Idol back in 2008 and almost made it through to the TV round (was selected 1 of 200 out of 30,000 in NYC). I'm a huge germaphobe, but most people know that. This stems from not wanting to get sick for performances though; I hate cancelling and letting people down. I also had a featured background role in Martin Scorsese's The Irishman. I know it's only background, but to me it was a major bucket list event to be on set with Scorsese, Pesci, DeNiro, Pacino, Bobby Cannavale, Harvey Keitel, etc. It was a dream!

The first jazz album I bought was:

Oh wow. I don't even remember the first jazz album I bought. I do know the oldest one that I have is from Tony Mottola; Mr Big. It was signed by Tony himself as he was a cousin of my grandfather Frank Prisciantelli, but unfortunately, died before I could meet him.

Music you are listening to now:

Jane Monheit: Come What May Steven Feifke Big Band: Kinetic Arturo O'Farrill: Legacies Veronica Swift: I am What I Am Samara Joy: Linger Awhile

Desert Island picks:

Ella Fitsgerald Frank Sinatra Nat King Cole Lady Gaga / Tony Bennett Louis Prima

How would you describe the state of jazz today?

I do not think it's dead as many say. We're in a new era of jazz with lots of young, passionate ambassadors such as Samara Joy, Esperanza Spalding, Steven Feifke, Veronica Swift, etc. It's definitely much more niche than it was in earlier decades, but still very much alive, you just have to look a bit harder for opportunities and be creative. There are so many new jazz clubs / speakeasies opening in NYC and that alone tells you there's a market for it!

What are some of the essential requirements to keep jazz alive and growing?

Education, performance opportunities, promotion and sponsorship (i.e. funding). I think the most helpful type of promotion is when current pop artists cross over (like Lady Gaga) or sample jazz in their music (like Lizzo). It helps to introduce it to a new generation in an accessible way.

What is in the near future?

Most immediately, the Jazzy Italian releases in vinyl and opening for Sal Valentinetti (who is the modern day Frank Sinatra) in Port Jervis. I have quite a lot of appearances monthly that people can check out at my website. Project-wise, I'm embarking on a new project delving deep into the Harry Warren songbook.

What is your greatest fear when you perform?

Ooh... good question. My greatest fear is not being able to perform to the best of my ability. I never like performing a sub-par show (thought some times it happens when recovering from illness, etc).

What song would you like played at your funeral?

Ooh; well I wouldn't just want one song played; it would have to be a full performance! Probably "Somewhere Over the Rainbow" as it's the first song that I sang as a child or "Moon River," on my new album, as that song was the sound track for me leaving corporate America to devote my life to music full time. I'd also have to say "Fly Me to the Moon" as that is my wedding song .

What is your favorite song to whistle or sing in the shower?

Whatever I'm learning or singing at the time is usually the song I hum or sing in the shower. However, I can't whistle.

By Day:

I used to have a day job as a Marketing Executive at PepsiCo and quit to go whole hog in my singing career In addition to performing, I also teach voice and do Marketing Consulting for entrepreneurs to help them make their passions profitable.

If I weren't a jazz musician, I would be a:

Broadway performer. My style is both jazz and musical theater and I can flex to either. I also did a ton of musical theater when I was a child and professional theater at Westchester Broadway Dinner Theater, so it holds a special place in my heart.

If I could have dinner with anyone from history, who would it be and why?

I think it would be The Tony Mottola Recording Ensemble. I regret not having the chance to have met him while he was alive. He was a jazz great; toured with Sinatra and played in the Tonight Show orchestra and was a cousin of mine. I often wonder what he could have taught me if I knew him while he was alive.

If I could go back in time and relive an experience, what would it be?

Definitely College. If I could have chosen for myself, I would have chosen a different school and major, which would probably have put me on a different trajectory.

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