I wanted to post a Tribute to the late Great Jazz Bassist Frank Pullara, I've known a long time that passed on February 12, 2019.
(his obit I included at the bottom of this posting)
Frank was & still is an ICON !!! He was WAY AHEAD OF HIS TIME and very progressive with his approach to music & other things in life.. I loved playing with him whenever we had the chance because we got along so well musically & friendship wise....!!! He was a Beautiful Man who All of us young & old looked up to..!!! He also had a great sense of humor, crazy/sick , like myself, we understood each other without explaining anything.... We laughed & cried over many issues, like All the Great Musician Friends we've Lost..... And now Him !!!! My love, & condolences go out to his family, his kid's who are Beautiful & my friends.... They ALWAYS CAME OUT TO SUPPORT ME IN ALL MY MUSICAL ADVENTURE'S.... EVERY TIME I PLAYED. .. THEY WOULD BE THERE., Unless they had other commitments. !!! We go back a long way !!! I Wish We Had More Time...Cause His Friendship & Musicianship was SO SPECIAL & Much APPRECIATED BY MYSELF..... GOD BLESS MY FRIEND & HIS FAMILY.....Thanks
Chet Catallo.
(his obit I included at the bottom of this posting)
Frank was & still is an ICON !!! He was WAY AHEAD OF HIS TIME and very progressive with his approach to music & other things in life.. I loved playing with him whenever we had the chance because we got along so well musically & friendship wise....!!! He was a Beautiful Man who All of us young & old looked up to..!!! He also had a great sense of humor, crazy/sick , like myself, we understood each other without explaining anything.... We laughed & cried over many issues, like All the Great Musician Friends we've Lost..... And now Him !!!! My love, & condolences go out to his family, his kid's who are Beautiful & my friends.... They ALWAYS CAME OUT TO SUPPORT ME IN ALL MY MUSICAL ADVENTURE'S.... EVERY TIME I PLAYED. .. THEY WOULD BE THERE., Unless they had other commitments. !!! We go back a long way !!! I Wish We Had More Time...Cause His Friendship & Musicianship was SO SPECIAL & Much APPRECIATED BY MYSELF..... GOD BLESS MY FRIEND & HIS FAMILY.....Thanks
Chet Catallo.
Look for future performances soon. If you'd like to receive future notifications please sign up for my fan base by leaving your email address at: chetsguitar@gmail.com
Chet Catallo & the Cats new CD 'First Take' has received heavy airplay on:
* North Coast Radio WJZR - 105.9 - http://www.facebook.com/pages/North-Coast-1059-WJZR/129499233757316
* WGMC Jazz - 90.1 http://www.jazz901.org/ 585.966.JAZZ (5299) or toll-free at 800.790.0415
* WRUR - 88.5 http://wrur.org/ (585)-275-9787
* KEAO - 91.5 http://www.manaoradio.com/ 808-244-2032 Robbie Ray in Maui, Hawaii !!!
As well across the country. Feel free to call them for your request.
Many, Many Thanks to all the great DJs out there keeping Jazz alive.
Chet Catallo & the Cats new CD 'First Take' has received heavy airplay on:
* North Coast Radio WJZR - 105.9 - http://www.facebook.com/pages/North-Coast-1059-WJZR/129499233757316
* WGMC Jazz - 90.1 http://www.jazz901.org/ 585.966.JAZZ (5299) or toll-free at 800.790.0415
* WRUR - 88.5 http://wrur.org/ (585)-275-9787
* KEAO - 91.5 http://www.manaoradio.com/ 808-244-2032 Robbie Ray in Maui, Hawaii !!!
As well across the country. Feel free to call them for your request.
Many, Many Thanks to all the great DJs out there keeping Jazz alive.
ROC Weekend (Rochester, NY Democrat & Chronicle addition to newspaper for events)
By Jeff Spevak - Staff Music Critic. Concerning Rochester. NY Lilac Festival on Sunday, May 13, 2012.
Rochester's Chet Catallo plays at 5:30 p.m. Catallo is best known for his '80s work with the six-time grammy-nominated soft jazz band Spyro Gyra, but his story during the past year has been far more compelling. A spinal infection nearly killed the guitarist, who then went through an extended rehabilitation while learning how to walk again. By early last year, he'd make occasional appearances in clubs around Rochester, mainly the Flipside Bar & Grill, playing while sitting in a chair. Today Catallo is nearly, if not completely, recovered. His latest album, First Take, is a diverse, two-CD collection of songs, including some serious explorations of Caribbean rhythms.
Thank you Jeff Spevak for the great write up - always, Chet Catallo! It was a great concert for everyone to see !
You can click on most of the images for an expanded view.
At the Xerox Rochester International Jazz Festival 2014 backstage with Harvey Mason of the great group "Fourplay"!
Me on the left with Great Guitarist - Chuck Loeb! He's a fantastic musician, friend and human being. I have much respect for him and all these great Cats!! I just love their playing in any situation.
Some pics at the 2014 Rochester Music Hall of Fame (NY)
Here attending the 2014 Rochester Music Hall of Fame inductee awards.
While mingling we came across some great musicians and shared some stories.
L-R, (my girlfriend) Linda, Carmine Appice and me.
Talking with Carmine about some memories of his being in Vanilla Fudge and when Portable People, a band I would later join, were opening up for them back in the 60's.
While mingling we came across some great musicians and shared some stories.
L-R, (my girlfriend) Linda, Carmine Appice and me.
Talking with Carmine about some memories of his being in Vanilla Fudge and when Portable People, a band I would later join, were opening up for them back in the 60's.
Here's Russell Thompkins, Jr. performing.
I had the pleasure of recording a new song for his new release.
I had the pleasure of recording a new song for his new release.
Catching up with old friends from Duke Jupiter: Don Maracle on the left and next pic, Marshal Styler on the right.
Saturday July 27th, 2013 at the Seneca Niagara Casino & Hotel.
L - R, Pat Morabito, Larry Carlton, and myself.
Larry was playing at the Bears Den there and a bunch of us had to go! It was a great venue and Larry and his trio sounded Fabulous! (of course! :)
Pat was a student of mine and he was also the architect for Larry's home, way cool...
Larry had his son Travis on bass (oh he can PLAY!) and Gene Coye on drums (a real fine player too). Great to hear Larry's music in a trio setting, a must catch.
Larry, It was absolutely great to see, hear and get a chance to talk to you again after all these years!!! Get back to this area real soon, OK? Everyone Loved Ya!
L - R, Pat Morabito, Larry Carlton, and myself.
Larry was playing at the Bears Den there and a bunch of us had to go! It was a great venue and Larry and his trio sounded Fabulous! (of course! :)
Pat was a student of mine and he was also the architect for Larry's home, way cool...
Larry had his son Travis on bass (oh he can PLAY!) and Gene Coye on drums (a real fine player too). Great to hear Larry's music in a trio setting, a must catch.
Larry, It was absolutely great to see, hear and get a chance to talk to you again after all these years!!! Get back to this area real soon, OK? Everyone Loved Ya!
L - R. Me, Larry Carlton and friend Dan Dishaw (of Dishaw Guitars) who's done some great work for me too. Thank you for sending this pic to me Dan!
What a great night!
What a great night!
A Good friend of mine, Darrell DuPont, that just got his copy of 'First Take' he ordered from me and I sent personally, had this to say on facebook! THANK YOU Darrell !!! - Chet :)
OK, I have to share something awesome. Music has been a major joy in my life...paid the bills for about ten years. I have a suggestion for my friends that enjoy jazz...a very strong, heartfelt suggestion. A few days ago I got the new double album by Chet Catallo called "First Take". Spectacular! Cannot stop listening to it. Now, I struggle with getting my head around 11/8 time asymmetrical Miles Davis or whatever. But this is totally accessible to the non-musician that may appreciate Di Meola or Ritenour, David Koz or Sanborn. Some of you that like Steve Gadd will I think, love this as well. Great stuff from Rochester musicians Jimmie Richmond and Vince Ercolamento on sax, and of course, brilliance from the late Ralph Ortiz. But to me, Chet has spent a lifetime getting to this point and I have never heard him play better. It's a great album. Let me know if you need to know how to acquire one...I will be so glad to point you in the right direction.
This is what my good friend Chuck Loeb (guitar buddy and a great-great player) said of my CD: Chet Catallo & the Cats - "First Take" ....
Hey Chet!
Just listened to your disks finally!!!!!
It all sounds great!
You're playing & writing your a** off man!!
Kudos, Kudos, Kudos!
Hope to see you soon man and all the best with the project!
CL
Hey Chuck! Thank You so much. It's just great to hear from you! I'm very happy you like the CD and I appreciate your opinion and it really means something coming from you. You're such a great player yourself, it means so much to me and the Cats. I love your “Silhouette” CD. Great writing and playing. Kudos back to you !! Always my best - Chet
Hey Chet!
Just listened to your disks finally!!!!!
It all sounds great!
You're playing & writing your a** off man!!
Kudos, Kudos, Kudos!
Hope to see you soon man and all the best with the project!
CL
Hey Chuck! Thank You so much. It's just great to hear from you! I'm very happy you like the CD and I appreciate your opinion and it really means something coming from you. You're such a great player yourself, it means so much to me and the Cats. I love your “Silhouette” CD. Great writing and playing. Kudos back to you !! Always my best - Chet
My friend Alphonse Mouzon (a well-known jazz-fusion drummer and percussionist I got to know during my
Spyro Gyra days) responded to my email when I gave him a shout some time ago to see what he's been up to
and to have him check out my website and music. Here's what he had to say...
Hey Chet,
Glad to hear you are out of the hospital man. Long time no see or hear!
Great tunes and playing on your website.
The Benson and Ritenour dedicated songs are great!
I'm busy teaching and playing. All is great!!
Happy Thanksgiving,
Alphonse
Thank You Alphonse!! Keep it going. Your such a monster musician, man! - Chet.
Spyro Gyra days) responded to my email when I gave him a shout some time ago to see what he's been up to
and to have him check out my website and music. Here's what he had to say...
Hey Chet,
Glad to hear you are out of the hospital man. Long time no see or hear!
Great tunes and playing on your website.
The Benson and Ritenour dedicated songs are great!
I'm busy teaching and playing. All is great!!
Happy Thanksgiving,
Alphonse
Thank You Alphonse!! Keep it going. Your such a monster musician, man! - Chet.
This is The Joe Locke Group playing at Hochstein School of Music in Rochester, NY Saturday April 20th 2013. Pictures of Joe and his quartet performing. Plus, Chet and Joe holding each other’s signed CD's. Joe Locke is considered to be one of the worlds greatest jazz vibraphonist (and is originally from Rochester) and has shared time performing with Chet in the past.
Chet Playing and Receiving his Award for "Artist of the Year" from The Arts & Cultural Council for Greater Rochester on Wednesday November 7, 2012 at the 29th Annual Arts Awards !!!
At the Great House of Guitars Dec. 17, 2011 Performing for Gibson Day!
At the Rochester Music Hall of Fame 2012
w/
Steve Tortoretti, Joe English and Chet Catallo
These pics below were taken in Niagara Falls 9/8/2012 when I was playing with the Dave Mancini and friends concert series. The group from left to right, Chet Catallo (guitar), Lynn Ligammari (sax), Dave Mancini (drums) and Bobby Jones (keyboards). Now ... the next two pics are of me and Eli Konikoff (former drummer for Spyro Gyra) and one of my best friends. It was a real surprise to see Eli show up!!
Below: Chet was a guest of Gene Cornish performing at the Great House Of Guitars on Nov 26th, 2011
Below L - R Chet, Gene Cornish and Danny Lebate. Chet and Felix Cavaliere.
Chet and friends playing the Wednesday Night Jam Sessions at Sticky Lips Juke Joint
While visiting a local club called Lovin' Cup - Bistro and Brews
I saw the Album "Morning Dance" of my Spyro Gyra days on the wall. What a Great Surprise to see that !!! So I signed it for them and booked a gig ! |
First Take double-CD Release Party: Saturday, December 26, 2009 Doors Open: 7:00 PM & Show Starts: 8:00 PM This long-awaited CD is exciting to hear - and this will be the first live show featuring songs from the new CD. The band is excited about this upcoming concert and looking forward to sharing their music with family, friends and "new" fans. Don't miss this wonderful evening filled with music by top-notch musicians. Special guest "Cats" Peter Chwazik & Todd East will be adding their talents to this phenomenal show. If you haven't already taken a moment to check out some of the exciting tunes - skip over to the audio page and listen in. See you there! Special Recovery Concert for Chet Catallo at the Water Street Music Hall
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L - R Myself, Todd East, Steve Curry. It's a shot of the Jam Session we used to do at Sticky Lips in Rochester. Photographer: Howard Koft.
Chet Catallo and Bobby Militello in Syracuse!!
Great Musicians – Great Friends! Nice weekend.
Here we are catching up while headlining at the Northeast Jazz & Wine Festival 7/29/17.
Between the two of us we've collaborated with Maynard Ferguson, Doc Severinsen, Miles Davis, Dave Brubeck, Spyro Gyra, too many to list.
It's great to finally catch up, it been 40 years, Bobby playing with the Bobby Militello Quartet and me with Bob Holz and A Vision Forward feat. Ralphe Armstrong and myself. Both of us played on multi-Platinum albums and Grammy winners.
Both bands played their ass off. The response was off the charts. The audience freaked out when they heard my name. It was a sweet feeling !! :)
More to come!!!
Great Musicians – Great Friends! Nice weekend.
Here we are catching up while headlining at the Northeast Jazz & Wine Festival 7/29/17.
Between the two of us we've collaborated with Maynard Ferguson, Doc Severinsen, Miles Davis, Dave Brubeck, Spyro Gyra, too many to list.
It's great to finally catch up, it been 40 years, Bobby playing with the Bobby Militello Quartet and me with Bob Holz and A Vision Forward feat. Ralphe Armstrong and myself. Both of us played on multi-Platinum albums and Grammy winners.
Both bands played their ass off. The response was off the charts. The audience freaked out when they heard my name. It was a sweet feeling !! :)
More to come!!!
A pic of me at the Landing in Fairport, NY. Photo taken by Aaron Winters and the manipulations done by Bob (smokeitup) Woodword.