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 DANIEL PANETTA
Daniel Panetta is a 16 year old with a voice and stage presence far beyond his years. His passion to perform was evident at the age of 5 when he started to steal the show at family functions. Two years later he played in a theatre production of Grease as Danny Zucco. More influence came from his exposure to the likes of Elvis, Bobby Darin and Paul Anka which lead to countless passion filled hours of singing and practicing. While most boys were collecting Hot Wheels, Daniel collected movies and music and studied the greats of an era where performance was everything!
Although Daniel was also active and successful in sports and school events, music was his number one focus. Recognizing the need to formalize this talent and channel this relentless drive, his parents enrolled him at the Arcadia Academy of music as well as arranging for classical vocal training. This of course led to the interest of creating music, Daniel started playing guitar and writing his own music & lyrics. This eventually morphed to his leading a 5 piece band in 2006/7 and concerts at venues such as the El Mocambo, Reilly’s, Funhaus and the Opera house.
As a solo artist with his natural “baritenor” talent, Daniel has placed high and won many local competitions such as Maplefest, York Region Talent Search and CNE’s Rising Star. He also kept busy performing at events and charity functions with Princess Margaret Hospital and the Hospital for Sick Children. In 2007, Daniel was selected by St. Elizabeth senior to perform overseas in Venice, Florence and Rome.
It was shortly thereafter that Daniel met long time music business entrepreneur Gerry Fumo and agreed to sign with the 3PK Production Inc. family. Joining this team led by Gerry and a young ‘manager-in-training’ Vince DiVito, along with music industry veteran Chad Minicuci, resulted with immediate positive energy and unbridled enthusiasm. Mr. Fumo followed these results by engaging participation from Farley Flex of Maestro Fresh-Wes, FLOW 93.5 and Canadian Idol fame.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ozpxCKp-7h4
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pboI0f1u80o&feature=related
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 GIANLUCA MAURO GUITARIST
Gianluca Mauro is a 17 year old guitar sensation in grade 12 at St. Joan of Arc Catholic High School in Maple, Ontario. Gianluca has always had a passion for music, having been exposed to it all his life. His father Vito is a professional musician and has been front guitarist for bands since the age of 14. Gianluca, like his father seems to have been born with an innate talent and a gravitational pull toward this instrument. He plays both electric and classical guitar with equal ease and ability and his love for music crosses all genres.
At the age of 13 he decided he wanted formal lessons in guitar and so was enrolled at the Arcadia Academy of Music. He thrived on this particular instrument and his skill developed beyond the level of lessons that were offered. Gianluca and his guitar became one. Within a year’s time his father began introducing him to the world of entertainment, allowing him to perform one or two numbers with his band at various venues. Gianluca and his friends also formed their own band and began participating in “Battle of the Bands” events. By the age of 15 Gianluca began composing his own music.
At St. Joan of Arc Gianluca is enrolled in music, is part of the school band as a flutist and participates in all music events coordinated by the school. In 2006 Gianluca and his band Zephyr performed at Maplefest. He also played at the “Italian Festival” in London, Ontario with Euroblu and made an appearance with First Impressions band at Arcadian Court at the Hudson Bay Flagship store, for their Christmas party. Gianluca’s abilities as a solo performer, however, became recognizable at St. Joan of Arc’s Music Night in December 2006 where he performed his own version of Malaguena on classical guitar. His performance stimulated a standing ovation by the nearly 750 people in the auditorium and was later posted on You Tube where it has received nearly 30,000 hits. That same night he also demonstrated his ability on electric guitar in a performance of “Black Magic Woman” by Santana with the band Fifth Element.
Word of this young talented guitarist spread and the year 2007 became a very busy one for Gianluca. People began hiring him for weddings, birthdays, showers, and other special occasions. During this year he played at Tremonte restaurant, Basilico restaurant, and at Vinnie Gambini’s. With his band Zephyr he played Razor’s Edge at St. Stephen’s Church as well as Towers Gang annual family picnic and fundraiser in support of Sick Kids Foundation. With Euroblu he played “Taste of Little Italy” on College Street as well as the anniversary party for Diplomatico Café. After his performance at Diplomatico he was asked to be part of the first Jazz Camp organized by Long and McQuade Music Store. Gianluca also played at the ceremony and reception of the wedding of a well known broadcaster for CHIN Radio; the Woodbridge Italian Festival where he was acknowledged in Lo Specchio weekly magazine and newspaper; and the Canadian citizenship Swearing-in Ceremony organized by the York Regional Police Department. These aforementioned events were performances done with his father as guitar duos. Gianluca continued to participate in all of St. Joan of Arc music nights where he has also been accompanied, on separate occasions, by his music teachers. He has also had the pleasure of jamming with Tim Hamel who was nominated for a Juno for Jazz Album of the Year.
In the spring of 2008 thanks to a family friend Ozzie Fidelio, Gianluca was discovered by Gerry Fumo – 3PK Productions Inc., and Farley Flex (Canadian Idol Judge). After an intense audition at Abby Max Studios, Gianluca was chosen to be the guitarist for Daniel Panetta. Soon The Daniel Panetta Trio was developed and in June 2008 they performed at the Merry Go Round Children’s Foundation at Jacobs & Co. Steak House. This event hosted some of Toronto’s most exceptional corporate and community leaders such as Tony Aspler, Farley Flex, and Chief William Blair. Present at this event was also Ben Mulroney, host of Canadian Idol and his now wife Jesse Brownstein. This past summer he returned to play for the “Taste of Little Italy” on College Street as well as making appearances with Euroblu at various venues. He and his father have continued to play together as well. They also performed at the St. Joan of Arc grade 12 Prom in June of 2008.
As Daniel Panetta’s guitarist, Gianluca has been performing with him at various venues. The performances include Terra Restaurant; Angus Glen Golf Club for the Big Brother Big Sister (BBBS) 14th annual gala and fundraiser; Sick Kids Fundraiser at Le Parc; CFL party in Montreal; CANFAR-Bloor St. Entertains at the R.O.M.; Record Release Party for Daniel and Natalie Choquette at Casa Napoli in Montreal. Gianluca has also performed solo numbers on guitar at the aforementioned venues. Gianluca and Daniel are returning to Montreal on December 6 for another performance. Most recently the entire Daniel Panetta Band performed at the official opening of “Dot on Shaft Music Store”.
Gianluca loves all music, whatever the genre. His influences, among others, have been Santana, Stevie Ray Vaughan, Jimi Hendrix, Slash, John Mayer, Eric Clapton, The Beatles, Red Hot Chili Peppers, Chet Atkins, Randy Bachman, Joe Satriani, and Al DiMeola. He also plays Mozart, Beethoven, Franz Shubert, Mason Williams, and Nicolo Paganini. Gianluca’s father, Vito Mauro continues to work with him on his guitar skills and his music ability has become limitless. As well as guitar, he plays flute and some piano. He plays rock, latino, jazz, blues, classical, reggae etc. Gianluca continues to expose himself to a multitude of artist spanning all genres in order to discover unique skills and abilities and develop his craft. His style, no matter what genre of music he plays, is distinctly his own and will no doubt become uniquely recognizable as is the style of many of the greats.
Some of Gianluca’s performances can be found on You Tube. The following are a few: “John’s Crazy Guitar Solo – Malaguena”, performed at the age of 15; “Godfather@Taste of Joan”; “Let it Be@Taste of Joan”; “St. Joan of Arc Music Night – “Europa”; “Fifth Element-Black Magic Woman”.
Gianluca is backed by a very loving and supportive family built on a sound foundation whose pride for him exudes in the faces of each and every member. Gianluca works endlessly on his craft and continues to compose inspiring pieces of music which he hopes to record some day. His plans are to further develop his skills in university and go to Teacher’s College so as to teach music at the high school or college level. Gianluca’s dreams, of course, are to become a famous musician and to continue to compose and record his own music. Some of his goals and aspirations are already beginning to take shape at the young age of 17. He is making plans for post-secondary education in the area of music and he is happily now, the lead guitarist for the Daniel Panetta Band, a group of young talented musicians led by an incredibly gifted Baritone. Their talent, work ethic, determination, and dedication to this project spell success through and through. |
