Page 4 - Abacoa Community News - December '24

Page 4, Abacoa

Music & concerts at abacoa

Guitars, Vocals Guitar, Vocals, Keyboards

Dave Fullerton Soon after graduating
was born and raised Berklee College of
in Pittsburgh, Pa. and Music in Boston, Greg
began playing guitar Reitano earned himself
at the age of 8. Shortly a place as a mainstay
thereafter, he began in the South Florida
playing in neighborhood Club scene and as a
and local bands and sought after session
Piano, Lead Vocal eventually met up with player in Central and
Tony Monaco. At the South Florida. Besides
Tony Monaco was age of 13, they joined forces playing in various local bands anchoring local bands such as “Foolproof” and “Back
born into a musical together which eventually spawned into their recording in Time,” Greg has performed with rock legends such as
family and began his and touring band, Thrills. Thrills relocated to New York Tommy Roe, The Shirelles, and The Chiffons. He has also
musical journey at the where they toured and played nonstop for over 10 years performed in the pit orchestras for the stage productions
age of 8. While he and recorded 5 albums on the G&P label which are now of “Grease”, “They’re Playing Our Song”, “Over There”,
was fascinated with available on CD (through Rewind Records). and “The Boyfriend.” Recently, Greg has had the pleasure
the piano, the guitar of opening for country stars such as Jake Owen and Craig
was a more realistic Bass, Vocals Morgan. In addition, Greg has also completed an album of
financial option. As a his own original material.
result, Tony studied Mark Jacobs hails Now as the keyboardist for Turnstiles, Greg provides the
guitar with his Father, Pat Monaco, and played it as his from the Boston area and perfect compliment to Tony’s piano, providing the keyboard
main instrument until the age of 13, winning both regional shortly after relocating orchestrations and effects. He also provides acoustic guitar
and national guitar competitions. to Florida, he became a and backing vocals, adding just the right touch of ornaments
Over the years, his love for keyboards was rekindled fixture in the South Florida to their sound. Helping to keep Tony’s hands on the piano,
when he fell in love with the Hammond organ which music scene. Bitten by the Greg is an integral part of keeping Turnstiles faithful to
eventually led him back to his first love, the piano. He music bug in his youth, Mr. Joel’s original recordings. As Tony says, “Greg is our
studied piano with many private teachers but credits Dave after watching his cousin’s “musical swiss army knife! Mr. Utility himself.”
Frank (world renowned jazz pianist) for really focusing band perform and much
his efforts. As a result, many of his influences were jazz to his parents’ dismay, he
artists. However, when a close friend suggested he listen soon picked up the drums himself! He switched to bass in high
to more artists like Billy Joel, he reluctantly did so and school and that’s been his main instrument ever since.
to his surprise, he became enamored with the genius of Mark has worked with a wide range of national touring
Billy Joel. Billy’s piano style was one that Tony not only bands and now he brings his extensive experience to
found inspiring, but also easier to relate what he learned Turnstiles. He’s also a sound engineer with several major
from emulating Billy’s licks and listening to his lyrics label credits to his name. When not performing with
to his efforts as an aspiring singer-songwriter with his Turnstiles, Mark can also be seen around South Florida
own band, Thrills (As a member of Thrills, Tony did with various bands as a highly recommended sub.
extensive recording and touring, opening for bands such “I was humbled and honored that Tony asked me to be a
as Foreigner, Quarterflash, Nick Lowe, Juice Newton, and part of Turnstiles and jumped at the chance to be involved
Orleans). In the years following, Tony played with many with such great musicians and even better people. I am excited
of Long Island’s top bands and then in 1993, he formed about the future!”
what he believes was one of the first tributes to the piano
man, Stormfront, which earned him an audition for the
traveling production of the Broadway show, Movin’ Out.
Now residing in South Florida, Tony has decided to
once again pay tribute to the music and man that has been
such an influence in his musical life. In addition, with the
formation of “Turnstiles,” he has been reunited with his
life long friend and former band mate from Thrills, Dave
Fullerton. Dave along with both new and old friends has
now joined forces with Tony to bring this band to life for
all Billy Joel fans to enjoy!

Sax, Flute, Vocals

Ron Fattorusso
studied music at the
University of Miami
playing in jazz and
concert bands as well
as classical ensembles
and groups. He started
his professional career
in 1974 as a multi-
instrumentalist (Alto,
Tenor and Soprano saxes, flute and clarinet). Since then,
he has played for and performed with such stars as The
Temptations, Bing Crosby, Steve Lawrence, Edie Gorme,
Hal Linden, Joan Rivers, Mitzi Gaynor, Julio Iglesias, and
many more. By the 1980s he backed up Desi Arnaz, and
jazz giants Ira Sullivan, Joe Diorio and Eddie Daniels.
From 1981-84 Ron went on sold out concert tours all
around the World with El Puma.
In 1980, Ron opened a recording studio in South
Florida (Star Track Recording). Having recorded
countless talented musicians over a 20 year span, he has
been able to use his experience and knowledge and apply
it to his first solo jazz cd, “Up All Night,” Ron also had 12
songs on NBC’s Weather Channel as well as international
radio airplay. While his last CD “Spirit” was officially
released in March 2013, the record label pre-released two
of his tracks in 2011 to NBC’s Weather Channel for airing,
You’re Always Around and the title track Spirit aired for
several months and still being played on radio stations
across the world....
While still playing with several bands and recording
new music, he has now found his home with the Turnstiles
family, loving every minute of playing with his brothers
on stages across the U.S.!