I thought it was time to update my profile and let everyone know what I’ve been up to these dazes.
I have been performing for the pass 5 years at Omalley’s in Hollywood, Florida, my hometown.
I have 2 bands that play on weekends there, weather permitting. What a great time and opportunity it has been playing at this venue.
Joe Udell, Omalley’s GM has given me the greatest job (gigs) that I have ever had. I am free to play and perform all the styles of music
that I love with the people I love most to play in with. How many of these gigs come around in a musician’s life time, especially
in night clubs. Usually you have to knuckle under some manager who has no idea what the hell it is to run a club,
let alone decide what the entertainment should do. I am blessed to have a venue that I can really be myself and really play!
The 1st band is called the Ruccolo-Tones, and as you can tell, it is a band made up of my family.
My older brother Marty has been playing music in some capacity with me since we were kids. We
have this chemistry that is best defined as a “brother thing” not unlike the Van Halen bothers. He is my
music soul mate and pushes me to play beyond myself. He is a great player in all styles and just a wonderful
person. I never have to worry about the groove or if we are going to take it out, he is always right there to indulge me.
My sister in law Jamie has been a singer in my bands ever since her and my brother fell in love in the front seat of
my van on the way to our gig in Ft. Lauderdale at Mr. Laff’s in the late 80’s.She is a killer singer, covering all styles
from Aretha to Heart to belting out Zeppelin tunes. Don’t let her petite size fool you; my sister-in law has the strongest
pipes in the south Fl. area if not the Planet!
John Pantesco a.k.a “Groovey” has been in my life since he was 17 years old hanging out at Rum Runner Bay in N.Miami.
He would help set up equipment for Capt. Harry and me before he was old enough to be in a bar. The whole time beginning
his music career listening and learning from us. Self taught, John is a killer singer and guitar player who has come into his
own. Our chemistry is really magic and I treasure our time together on the bandstand!
Gabe Vales my brother from a different mother is an amazing singer and bass player as equally amazing man. I’ve known Gabe
since the late 70’s when I was a Dj in a club in Hialeah. He has been in my bands to some capacity since then. I never worry about the
anything musical when I have Gabe on the bandstand. A Killer bass player and singer, he has been on the south Fl music seen a long
time .What a joy it has been to play with him all these years.
The second band is called the CRUSH and is made up of some my best friends in this business.
Larry Hirt a.k.a.”Big Foot” has been in my life since I was 9 years old when I use to sit and watch him in his living room playing with the killer guitar players
of my neighbor hood .(Harold Lindsey,Danny Deeds,Chuck Kirkpatrick) to name a few. A big influence in my music up bringing ,I now have the pleasure
of having him on the bandstand. His dedication and flawless time is impeccable .Larry has played on sessions all his life and was the 1st call behind his good friend
Joe Galdo in the T.K. days.I am blessed to have besides my brother on drums,to have my second brother Larry also !.
Ernie Garza a.k.a”Coyote” is an all round musician. He plays bass, drums, guitar and is a killer vocalist, and great song writer. Ernie is the newest member of our family trading duties with Gabe on bass and vocals. A true team player and hard worker, Ernie brings the excitement of why we all play music in the 1st place.
Always positive and always willing to get it right , he is a wonderful addition to our group.
Tim Murphy a.k.a “Air Murphy” is another multitalented musician. Playing keyboards, bass and wonderful voice, he is terrific asset to any band. He plays keys in my band and sings and is such a wonderful soul to work with. A team player who is always up for any musical challenge. Tim has been playing in south Fl since the 70’s in too many bands to mention here. I feel blessed to have him working with me!
A Little about me
The players on this page are playing on Jimi Ruccolo's cd "Sorry I'm late"
available online at http://cdbaby.com/cd/jimiruccolo
This band is made up of some of South Fl. best Known and unknown blues,jazz and rock Musicians
Jimi Ruccolo is a native Floridian and an exciting singer songwriter and killer guitarist. For past 35 yrs. he has become a icon in the area.
He blows people away with his voice and diverse guitar playing.South Florida's best kept secret !
"Sorry I'm late" is a cd that is a songwriter's cd . It combines all of Jimi's influences .From rock to blues, a little jazz,and improvisation.
All songs written and performed by Jimi Ruccolo and producer John Martyn and some of the great players down there in south Fl.
Jimi is also involved with production and music design for the past 25 yrs.for a company called Audacity studios (formerly Musicworks) and has written and played on jingles for companys such as Mcdonalds,Seadoo,Gludens mustard
Delmonte foods and many more check out his work at www.Audacityrecording.com
And you can also check me out here, too, at http://www.audacityrecording.com
Stay on the look out for this gentleman for the next couple of years. Besides his new rock/blues cd coming out this spring. Jimi is quite the family man, he is HAPPILY MARRIED to his soulmate, and has a 17 year old son. Who is also really talented little and guitar player, in his school band.
He prides himself on being a great devoted husband and family guy.Download his cd from this link:http://cdbaby.com/cd/jimiruccolo
