| Musician loves playing at home, for audiences (NP, Cape A&E, Page C1. Paper has Vinny’s photo that’s not on website.)
The love affair is more than half a century old, but the music never gets old for saxophonist Vinny Mischitelli.
Mischitelli still picks up his instruments almost daily, playing either at home or for audiences throughout Southwest Florida. Mischitelli was introduced to music when he peered into a window of an Italian club in Worcester, Mass., where his parents were dancing.
"They were dancing to Mazurka music," Mischitelli said. "I said, 'That sounds like something I'm gonna do.'"
He honed his chops on Italian classics before once again sneaking to a club with a friend. He was 10 at the time. The two friends listened to the music from the outside of the club and this time Mischitelli heard something unlike anything that had touched his ears before.
"I heard 'my wife,'" Mischitelli said. "I heard jazz played live. That was it. It was like, 'Wow!' That's my life."
Thus began Mischitelli's multiple decade affair with jazz music. The music is quintessentially American, something that Mischitelli relishes.
"It's all about freedom," he said. "Nobody else has jazz. They imitate it."
As he got older Mischitelli listened to great American jazz musicians and learned their songs.
"John Coltrane - he's like God to me," Mischitelli said. "He would be like Van Gogh or Michelangelo to me."
Mischitelli spent his career playing commercial music, teaching music, and as a consultant. He also owned a restaurant but once he retired returned to his first love. He spends his time playing at local venues and for private parties. He plays during the Sunday morning brunch at Pignoli at Cape Harbour, and emphasizes songs that most people recognize - George and Ira Gershwin, Jerome Kerr, Cole Porter and Irving Berlin.
"I love the standards," he said.
With a catalog of more than 3,500 songs in his head, Mischitelli can accommodate just about any request.
Mark Johnson, a visitor from Louisville, Ky., recently caught Mischitelli's act at Pignoli.
"I'm a clarinet player myself," Johnson said. "He's good."
Johnson said he enjoyed Mischitelli's brand of music because it adds to the dining experience.
"It's good for background music," he said.
Pignoli owner Robert Cardees prepares his Sunday menu to the strains of Mischitelli's melodies and said he finds memories in the music. The two men grew up in the same town.
"Everybody loves his music," Cardees said. "Vinny has a commitment to music and to the success of the Cape Harbour community."
When he takes a break, Mischitelli talks to customers and asks what they want to hear.
"His communication skills are fantastic," Cardees said.
Even so, Mischitelli would rather let his music do the talking.
"When you're in the art world, you're in that world," Mischitelli said. "If I can play three really good choruses during the night I feel really good about, I'm happy."
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Cape Coral resident and Canterbury third-grade student Zoe Wyant contributed to this story.
Jazz It Up:
- Who: Vinny Mischitelli
- When: 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Sundays
- Where: Pignoli, 5785 Cape Harbour Drive, #101. Mischitelli is also playing the Wine and Dine at Pignoli, 6 to 9 p.m. Feb. 10. Reservations preferred for brunch and the wine and dine. Call 541-0800 for information.
- Contact:vinshirlmm@comcast.net
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