Franco Campanella
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Franco Campanella

Chicago, Illinois, United States | SELF | AFTRA

Chicago, Illinois, United States | SELF | AFTRA
Band Jazz Pop

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This band has not uploaded any videos

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Press


"Determination drives 18-year-old's singing career"

By Marie Wilson
Franco Campanella's No. 1 goal is to make music. And the No. 1 reason he thinks he'll succeed is his determination.

That's what the 18-year-old St. Viator High School graduate said enabled him to spend his senior year working on a six-track EP - an accomplishment he is celebrating with a release party at 7 p.m. Monday at Big Shots Piano Lounge in Arlington Heights.

"I've known since a young age that this is what I want to do. I'm in four choirs, I do all my own music, I'm a professional actor and model. So when I would get out of school, my day is booked until 10," he said. "I think I'm good enough to make it, so I feel like I have the opportunity and it's not an opportunity a lot of people get."

To make the most of this opportunity, Campanella is focusing on booking more shows and exposing more people to the songs on his self-titled debut, two of which he will perform at the release party. "Broken Bridge," "Twelve-Twelve" and his four other songs mainly explore themes of love, "being true to yourself and not hiding who you are," Campanella said.

To produce his music, he sings and plays piano, drums, bass, ukulele and sometimes more instruments. Then, he uses a keyboard and recording software to create other, synthesized sounds. The beats behind his songs have a hip-hop vibe, while the instrumental sounds fit in with mainstream pop music, he said. Campanella describes his vocals as jazzy, making for an interesting mix.

"I guess it's pop, but it's a little different," said Campanella's producer, Antonio Soriano. "There's definitely some dance elements, but it's pop for sure. That's what we're going for."

Campanella has the support of his family as he goes for his musical goals. His mother, Regina, works as his manager, planning gigs, scheduling photo shoots, and promoting Campanella's name, while his sister, Annette Kittel, is in charge of backup dancers and choreography.

"He knows where he wants to be in life and he's pretty much focused," Regina said. "As a parent, I don't know how he does it all, but he does."

His supporters say Campanella's talent - not only his determination - will help him succeed.

"I never really understood how someone could tap their foot, sing, write, play the keyboard and know what's coming next. And he does all that at once," Kittel said. "He's not famous yet, but some people think of him that way and I see him going very far in the music industry as an entertainer."

When Campanella goes to college in the fall, however, he won't be going very far away. He will double major in business and music at DePaul University in Chicago.

"He wants to stay in the area where he knows the ins and outs and has a name for himself," Regina Campanella said. "He's bringing all his music with him into the dorms. He's still going to be writing and composing and driving all around the world to get himself out there. He's not going to stop."

Campanella said he hopes to stay in the Chicago area long-term, but he understands that may conflict with his goal of releasing a full-length album and signing with a record label - because artists on labels often go on 20-city tours.

"Whatever it takes; if I have to leave for three years, I'll do it," Campanella said. "It's totally worth it, though, because this is what I want. My competition isn't resting, so why should I?" - Daily Herald Suburban Chicago


"TEEN PERFORMER ‘RECEIVES RAVE REVIEWS’"

By: Richard E. Dietz

The Daily Herald “Courier Neighborhood News” reviews a play and dedicates a paragraph to one of its cast members saying “…a fifth grader who possesses stage presence and enough amplification to drown out even a military band,” you know you’re going somewhere in show biz.

Franco Campanella was that fifth grader and the review was for “Show Stoppers III” held at Elgin Community College Arts Ctr..

Franco Campanella, now 17, senior at St.Viators High, is pursuing his dream of doing what he loves. “ singing and acting”. He has more stage, screen, commercial and singing credits to his name than some people twice his age. When Franco was 5yrs old he started showing interest in performing for the family. Than his sister Annette wanted to pursue a career in modeling and Franco said, “I want to do that too”. He signed on with an agency, which led to voice, piano and acting classes. Through his modeling career, Chicago Magazine recently featured him for a back-to-school story.

“My first theatre production at age 6, was, “ Joseph,” in which I was part of the chorus. At that point I realized I enjoyed performing on stage. I try to do at least 2-3 productions a year. This past summer I was in “ Les Miserable” and played the lead Jean Valjean at Stage Door Manor in Sheldrake, NY”, a performing arts center attended by actors Natalie Portman, Robert Downey Jr. and others. “ I love going there; everyone works very hard but, we also have so much fun,” he says.
Franco also says,” of everything that I’m involved in acting, modeling, theatre and singing, singing is my favorite”.

Through the years Franco has performed around the Chicago land area and surrounding Northwest Communities .He has performed in over 30 plays, The Rose Tattoo, Christmas Carol, Let the Eagle Fly, Westside Story, etc. . Commercial work includes Nike, Glade, McDonald’s, National City Bank, Champion Toys and many others. He has been in 2 small independent films. “Two of my dreams are to someday be on the big screen making movies or being successful in the music industry, or both. I am recently working on writing my own music and lyrics. Which hopefully will lead to forming a band or being recognized as a soloist.” He is currently working on a CD of songs he will produce himself.

- Fra Noi


Discography

2009: self-titled 6 song E.P.
2010:
single: Feelin' It
single: Party Boy
single: Let Go
2010: Sentimental Reasons "cover song"
Nat King Cole
single: Waistin Time (remix)

Photos

Bio

"Music has been a part of my entire life. Through theater, in school shows, performing choirs & recordings. I cannot explain the true feeling of fulfillment the moment I step on stage. Being able to perform brings out my true self. Music is what I love and know best. It is more than just a job or a career it's something I have a passion for." Franco

Classic style, whiskey smooth vocals, and a wise intensity have helped define Franco Campanella as a dominate force in modern jazz. Working professionally for over a decade, his experience has driven him to emulate and expand on the concrete streamline sense of the late 1950s. The debonair style of sophisticated crooner Frank Sinatra meet the modern street sensibility of Hip-Hop to create an artist that is eclectic beyond his years.
Amassing a body of performances any aged artist would be proud to earn, Campanella has proven himself as a solid act on some of the world's most notable stages. From Carnagie Hall to Chicago's famed Goodman Theatre, this burgeoning star has earned the respect of critical audiences on an impressive level. Coupled with experience modeling for national ad campaigns, he is truly the reincarnation of his historic counterparts.
In 2009, a self-titled EP was released highlighting work produced and recorded by Campanella. Currently wrapping up his new project with Stonecutter Records President and music industry vet Chris Steinmetz, Franco looks forward to the opportunity to share his diverse musical perspective. Recorded in the city that made him, his first full length work has seen him into places of highly revered musical status including the Chicago Recording Company. Released in the Spring of 2011, the collection of music will consist of both originals and covers - to be followed by a tour backed by experienced and highly talented Chicago musicians.
Stay up to date on the latest Franco Campanella music on the web via Twitter, Facebook, Jango, and the Stonecutter Records website.

check out his website: www.francocampanella.com.

listen to his originals: www.myspace.com/francocampanellamusic