One of the most sought after Italian-American musical variety acts, Ray Massa's EuroRhythms, have performed for audiences from coast to coast in the U.S., Canada and Italy. The band, acclaimed for captivating young, pop culture audiences while thrilling fans of Italian and Swing music, began their musical careers entertaining guests at Italian-American weddings.
Ray Massa, born and raised in Bellaire, Ohio, by Italian parents from the Campania region of Italy, started the group in 1982 while he was attending the Ohio State University. His goal was to meet fellow Italians so that he could feel more at home in this new city. After an exhausting search, he assembled a group of musicians, all born and raised in Italy - Naldo Monaco, Joe D'ippolito and Franco Salvatore.
As the band grew in popularity, Ray added three members, which led to more a diversified musical repertoire. They began performing at Italian weddings in Columbus, and in 1992 the Columbus Dispatch named them "the most popular wedding band in Columbus," performing over 55 weddings every year.
However, the band's rigorous travel schedule resulted in several band members leaving the ensemble, so Ray recruited some top Italian musicians and built a band capable of attracting national attention. The band rearranged many traditional Italian favorites that Ray had enjoyed as a child, giving the songs a higher energy pop sound in hopes of attracting younger Italian-Americans to the wonderful treasure of Italian music.
Today, the EuroRhythms band members include Ray Massa, accordion/keys/vocals; Tony DiMelfi, trombone; Marco Capoccia, lead vocals/percussion/trumpet; Gaetano Nicolosi, drums/vocals; Giovanni Caproni, guitar/keyboard/vocals/mandolin/arrangements; Jerry Parsons, bass guitar/vocals; Bryan Olsheski, saxophone; and Ben Huntoon, trumpet.
Ray Massa's Eurorhythms perform at Italian festivals nationwide, and they are credited with bridging the gap between American and Italian festival venues by revitalizing the mystique and romantic excitement of Italian music. The group's dynamic, energetic style attracts audiences of all ages and nationalities.
The band has performed with Luciano Pavarotti and the Columbus Symphony Orchestra; EPCOT Center at Disneyworld; for the ambassador to Italy in Grand Haven, Michigan; and completed a concert tour in Lazio/Abruzzo/Campania, Italy. For more information, visit www.eurorhythms.com or visit them on Facebook at Ray Massa's EuroRhythms.
