09/27/2021 Jim Sylvia's song, "Sarasota" re-arranged and re-corded by; Jon Frattasio, Peter Mayer, Jim Mayer and Eddie Grendga.
Long-time troubadour, teacher, coach and friend, Jim Sylvia turned 70 last September, 2021. Jim is the guy who mentored and developed me as a professional player early on. Jim showed me the possibilities of getting out there and playing, doing it for real, not just sitting at home and playing to the four walls. Jim got me my first gigs 30 plus years ago. Jim taught me to be a machine regarding learning material, he taught me my work ethic and what it was to be a pro player. Hey, Jim showed me pure and simple that I was good enough to make a buck doing this...
Anyway, I could go on and on about the help and influence my friend, Jim Sylvia has had on me but Jim had a mile stone 70th birthday last year and I wanted to give him something special, something memorable and unforgettable, but what could that gift be for such a friend and mentor? A million dollars, nope, don't have that kind of cash, a new car, ya right... Anyway, a year before Jim's 70th I had mentioned to dear friend, Dr. John A. Parker that I'd been thinking if I could record Jim's tune, "Sarasota", a song Jim penned after shoveling out his driveway during a typical New England blizzard. But the recording would be with Jimmy Buffett Coral Reefer Band members, Peter and Jim Mayer. Jim Sylvia as many of us know, is a big, big Buffett music fan especially Jimmy Buffett's older style of music and writing. Sylvia's tune "Sarasota" is very much like Buffett's older and classic writing. Anyway, Dr. Parker encouraged me to record Jim's tune. I kept it all secret from Jim and really everyone except Marshfield legend, Chris Corwin and Jay Parker. I re-arranged Jim's tune with Peter Mayer and recorded Sarasota with Peter and Jim Mayer as well as producer/pianist, Eddie Grendga in total secret. By the way, Eddie is a world-class pianist and has a Grammy Award as a producer- no shit.
I presented the tune at Jim's 70th birthday bash at the VFW in Marshfield to a shocked but amazed and joyous, Jim Sylvia and, his entire family along with many of his/our friends who were in tow at this party. What a night, what a surprise, what a reaction from all, what a song...
Thank you to Buffett Coral Reefer's, Pete Mayer, Jim Mayer also my pianist and Grammy Award winning producer, Eddie Grendga for their world-class talent, loyalty and friendship. Thank you Jim Sylvia for your life-long friendship, your gu
idance and love, happy 70th birthday...😉
-Go to my Music Player page on this web site and click on Jim Sylvia's re-recorded and re-arranged song, "Sarasota", enjoy...