Biography


After several years playing everything from traditional to funky urban and contemporary jazz at notable venues in and around his hometown of Philly, Tony Vattimo releases Can't Let Go, a melodically rich and rhythmically diverse collection of all original compositions. True to the album title he chose to reflect his multi-faceted musical vision, created a brilliant contemporary project with just the right amount of improvisation drawing on his love for old school jazz - that would make listeners feel they "Can't Let Go".

For Vattimo, Can't Let Go is the culmination of a versatile career as a composer, sideman and solo performer that also includes his work as a choir director and church organist, and composer for Omnimusic; a Long Island, NY based company that supplies cues and source tracks for TV, radio, films and documentaries. Vattimo's music has been prominently featured on The Maury Povich Show and one of his smooth jazz pieces was prominently included in an episode of the TV show "Clueless."

Influenced by everyone from Keith Jarret, Bill Evans and Herbie Hancock to Russell Ferrante, Joe Sample, and Pat Metheny, he began playing the organ at age 12 and added trombone to his repertoire in high school, during which time he also learned classical piano. While pursuing his degree in music education at West Chester University in Pennsylvania, he performed with the college's jazz band. After earning his degree, he taught music for a year before immersing himself in the city's rich musical culture and making a full time living playing gigs.


On Stage


Vattimo is a seasoned performer on the Philadelphia club scene playing in bands as well as his own solo performances. In recent years, he has performed regularly at Gerald Veasley's Jazz Base in Reading and other regional hotspots like Blue 2o and The Cork in Cherry Hill, New Jersey; with the notable New Earth Trio (featuring bassist Rob Williams and drummer Abe Speller) performing selections from Vattimo's vast catalog of originals as well as Spyro Gyra and Fourplay classics.

"Drawing from his rich knowledge of jazz greats and his own vast history playing traditional and smooth urban jazz, Vattimo's long awaited debut flows brilliantly - like a funked out, highly energized but also deep and thoughtful, stylistically varied dream."

- Jonathan Widran

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"There is something both freeing and fresh about this music. It reminds me of the wonderful albums that came out in the early 90's when there was so much excitement about the music and it was still called contemporary jazz. That is what Can't Let Go is - it's not a throwback, it's a revival."

- Shannon West

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