Faculty Experts
Contact the
Office of Media Relations at (518) 956-8150
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Areas of expertise: Jazz music, saxophone; recording; radio and broadcast media technology |
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| Campus e-mail: | cvatalaro@uamail.albany.edu | ||||
| Campus phone: | (518) 442-3678 | ||||
| Biography: Born and raised in the Boston area, Charlie Vatalaro was a regular on the local club circuit by his mid teens. His first big break came as a member of the Greater Boston Youth Jazz Ensemble led by legendary Woody Herman saxophonist John LaPorta. LaPorta encouraged Vatalaro to pursue a career in jazz, and he went on to earn a bachelor's in jazz history from UMASS Amherst, and a master's in jazz techniques from Goddard College. Over the years he has been a sideman or opening act for such musical heavyweights as Cannonball Adderley, Roland Kirk, Aretha Franklin, Patty La Belle, B.B. King, Tom Jones, Paul Anka, Sonny and Cher, Debbie Reynolds, Peggy Lee, The Lettermen, The Vogues and Steve Lawrence, and Edie Gorme. A respected woodwind artist, clinician, arranger, record producer and educator, Vatalaro is currently director of Recording and Broadcast Services at UAlbany. He is also a featured soloist and musical director for blues legend, Ernie Williams. |
