Hoboken Sinatra Singing Contest Set For 2016

Hoboken, NJ – Who does the best Sinatra impression in Hoboken?

On Thursday, June 9, the Mile Square City will find out the answer to that question when the city holds the 10th Annual Sinatra Idol Contest at 6:30 p.m. in Sinatra Park (on Sinatra Drive between 4th and 5th Streets).

Admission to the competition is free, and prizes will be awarded to the beset Sinatra-style singers.

Judges for the 2016 contest include:

• Bill LaRosa, Director, Hudson County Cultural Affairs & Heritage Affairs/Tourism Development
• Dale Monoco – Sinatra’s 2nd cousin. Born & raised in Hoboken
• Barbara Simon, Owner of the BJ Simon Singing Studio Finalist for HCC Business Awards – Education Provider Author of “Singing – Body and Soul”
• Bob Foster – Director of the Hoboken Historical Museum 
• Richard Muti  – author of a biography of Ol’ Blue Eyes titled “Cent’Anni: The Sinatra Legend at 100,” was designated an Award Finalist in the USA Book News Best Book competition for 2015.

2016 CONTESTANTS

The following contestant biographies come courtesy of the City of Hoboken:

• Zachary Alexander, Middletown, NJ; Full-time student at Hofstra University majoring in TV Production. Growing up in NJ, Sinatra has always been a household name for me since I was a young child. I started HEAVILY listening to his music when I started high school and began performing at age 16. The preservation of the Great American Songbook is extremely important to me and  I can think of no better way to do that than with Sinatra’s music. I do my best to pay tribute to such a marvelous legend for future generations.
• Tommy Delcorio, Williamstown, NJ; Mortgage Banking Business. Originally from South Philly where I sang for the Philadelphia Boys Choir. As a child my mom introduced me to all the greats at Palumbos, Steel Pier AC and the Latin Casino were we rubbed elbows with Sinatra, Martin Prima and Durante. At 50 my wife had a surprise birthday party and hired friends of mine and we sang all night. The response was amazing and my friends think Old Blue Eyes is back.
• Alan Gordon, Sunrise, FL.  In November of 1965, I 16 at home with double pneumonia. I turned on the TV to find a program Frank Sinatra – A Man and His Music which made a lasting impression on me that I carry to this day. To me, he will always be the Picasso of show business and the pop icon of the 20th century.
• Sean Hanlon, Holmdel, NJ; Retired Print/Direct Marketing/Ad Business. Started singing Sinatra tunes in high school in Jersey City in the 50s. His music is the music that I love to sing. I’m currently singing in restaurants, assisted living homes, private parties, golf clubs and more. When I was young I also sang the lead in several musical plays and had a four piece band for special shows.
• John Hughes, Jersey City, NJ; Restaurant Business. Started singing Sinatra at the age of 20 when I was taking voice lessons from a great coach, who worked with Steve and Eydie, John Davidson, Anthony Quinn and many other great perfromers. Family circumstances prevented me from taking an offer to go on the road and learn the craft, but I never stopped singing-mostly Frank! I sing for pure joy it gives me and for my greatest audience-my wife. What Frank means to me is simply America. It’s art, it’s opportunity and the gift to the world that is American music—Frank’s music. For “without a song”, indeed where would we be?
• Bradley King, I’ve always had a great passion for Sinatra and the Great American Songbook, but other than a few stints with my college jazz band I’ve never had a chance to see how I am at it. I’m a classically trained singer, but I really love bending my style.
• Dwayne Lawson, Encinitas, CA. As a young boy I sang everywhere and all the time, but came to a crashing end when my voice dropped at age 14. All the popular songs were now out of key for my deep voice. Sinatra was not considered hip for my generation like the Beatles, Beach Boys and Motown, but I discovered most of his songs were in my key and I could finally sing with my regular voice. I became a closet Sinatra singer. I bought all his popular albums and his book, Tips on Popular Singing.
• Barry Oliver Lawton, Dorchester, MA; Retired School Teacher and Community Activist. Barry has been inspired by Frank Sinatra not only as a superb vocalist, but as a brave humanitarian who was not afraid to go against the status quo in support of the civil rights movement, opening doors for African American artists. Barry, as did Frank, appreciates that music is color-blind and that it’s beauty can be used as a tool to unify the world.
• Tom Moffatt, Lynbrook, NY; Audiovisual Design Consultant. Started developing a new musical skill on weekends as part of the rebuilding a life style in the wake of a divorce. It developed from a hobby, into a passion, as I aimed to learn what ole blue eyes was doing internally to create that branded croon. The character of his voice, and the complexity of his phrasings provide a limitless study of how to deliver great music. Some musician friends had asked me to sing on breaks between sets at a local gig. Then the owner of the establishment booked me for my own nights. One of my favorite gigs was singing for the Hoboken Sinatra festival last year. Frank Sinatra’s music exemplifies the power and breadth of the America ideal at America’s finest hour.
• Louis Porecca, Philadelphia, PA; Retired Casino Executive, Singer, Actor, Inside Sales. As a young boy growing up in South Philadelphia, Frank Sinatra was the choice of music played in our home. I unknowingly became a fan of Sinatra at an early age. I learned the words to all his songs and attempted to learn his phrasing and delivery, as only Sinatra could do. In 1961 I was a Black Jack dealer at Ceasar Place in Las Vegas. Sinatra and his entourage would play at my table. A friendly calm developed and I was invited to a couple of his performances. I also taught Willy Rizzo’s son how to deal Black Jack. I returned to Atlantic City to open the casinos in 1978 and remained friends with Willie Rizzo and Merrill Kelem. I perform at clubs, radio shows, weddings and social functions around town. I will now attempt to impress the people of Hoboken at the Sinatra Idol contest this year.
• Andrew Poretz, New York, NY; Personal Life & Strategy, Entertainer, Singer and Musician. Listening to Frank Sinatra since the womb. My mother was one of those crazy bobbysoxers who saw Sinatra at the Paramount. When I watched “The Main Event” live with my family and the reaction of the star-studded audience, I start listeing to his 50’s and 60’s albums that my father had, an was hooked. I owe my musical education to Frank and consider him my defacto voice teacher. I taught myself to sing by attempting to copy Frank’s every note, breath and nuance. The great Marilyn Maye said to me in her performance master class a couple of years ago, “You’ve listened to a lot of Sinatra, haven’t you?
• Marcqiese Rainey, Event Vocalist, Teach and Street Performer. Training from the native grounds of NY, graduated from the famous Professional Performing Arts High School. He received vocal training From the Great Albert Rose- a world renowned classical singer. He was featured and sang at the Apollo theater for Amateur night. He specializes in singing classic songs such as those of Frank Sinatra and Nat King Cole…among many other artists and genres. He started singing tons of jazz standards and sinatra because he often enjoyed dancing to it.
• Al Russo, Woodland Park, NJ; Tax Accountant. When I was married I used to sing, not professionally. It was exactly one year from the date Sinatra died, I was at Sloan Kettering Cancer Hospital post surgery for an unknown pancreatic tumor. I watched all the one year death anniversary shows of Sinatra, which helped because he was my childhood idol. While in the hospital, the children of John Harms put on a show for us patients. After that I knew I had to go back to singing and it took me to a new level of life.
• Humphrey O. Uddoh, Attorney. I have always loved singing, and I have Always loved Frank! Frank Sianatra’s songs have always intrigued me more that other artists because his and my range are very similar. The last Sinatra Idol competition I participated in two years ago was my first public singing ever! Since then, I have been taking voice lessons. I think that I am now ready to show my true talent, with a lot more confidence, which quite franly is what the Judges told me at the last competition – to get more training. I did receive decent scores two years ago. I think my scores will be certainly even better this time – hopefully win the competition. I think I can do it too, if given the chance.
• Renato M. Uva, Bayonne, NJ; Flight Attendant United Airlines, EWR Airport. My father was a fan of Frank Sinatra and I grew up in Hoboken listening to his music. I have always loved his music and enjoyed his movies still do to this day.  I love singing his tunes at home and while driving. Some say that my voice has some of his vocal qualities.  I do not sing professionally, but have sung his tunes in Karoake bars.
• Stephen Verrone, Boonton, NJ; CPA Big Four Accounting Firm NYC. Began singing for his grandmother and others at a local NJ nursing home in April 2000. Since then, although his grandmother had passed away, he continues to volunteer his time to perform a monthly 1-hour show (in full tuxedo) singing Frank Sinatra songs and American popular standards. He’s performed over 160 times at his grandmother’s former nursing home facility and several other venues in Northern NJ. Iconic Sinatra songs always seem to connect people with fond memories and bring smiles to people’s faces. Stephen enjoys collecting Frank Sinatra memorabilia, sharing the background of the songs he sings with his audience, and singing for his family and three young daughters. He was lucky enough to see Frank Sinatra perform live 3 times in the early 1990’s.

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Photo courtesy of City of Hoboken