https://youtu.be/tud78SR0yik Join us live for an interview with singer Vanessa Racci as we talk about her recent heritage tour in Italy, her new holiday album to be released in November and much more! ARTIST NAME: Vanessa Racci ALBUM TITLE: Comfort & Joy LABEL NAME: VRE Records STREET DATE: Nov 6th, 2026 GENRE: Jazz Vocal Holiday Album ARTIST BIO:  To Preorder CD: https://store.spinneymedia.com/products/vanessa-racci-comfort-joy-cd  To Preorder Streaming https://orcd.co/comfortandjoy  Vanessa Racci is a touring and recording jazz vocalist who is equally comfortable singing straight-ahead jazz as she is music that reflects her Italian heritage. Her heritage inspired her first two albums, the first, Italiana Fresca, in 2017, produced by David Finck and arranged by Yaron Gershovsky, Manhattan Transfer MD, and the second being, Jazzy Italian (Zoho Jazz Label, 2022), celebrating Italian Americans who made their mark on jazz from Louis Prima to Chick Corea. Produced and arranged by Grammy winner, Steven Feifke, Jazzy Italian made the top 10 Traditional jazz albums of 2022 on the RMR jazz chart and is programmed on Siriusly Sinatra and NPR in addition to 150+ radio stations. Her music has also been licensed on Network television and made the coveted Spotify playlist, “Italian Dinner Party.” On her next project and third album, Vanessa is showcasing her straight ahead abilities with a Jazz Vocal Holiday album, while completing her Masters in Jazz Voice at SUNY Purchase (Grad May, ’27).  The album, Comfort & Joy, revives seasonal jazz classics from Ella, Sinatra, Nat, Bing, and the like, with a modern jazz twist. Guiding Vanessa on this project is two-time Grammy winner, Nicole Zuraitis, as co-producer and arranger-pianist, Ron Drotos, whose career encompassed both jazz, Broadway conducting and the New York pops. The album also includes the top musicians in jazz today such as Dan Pugach on Drums, Marcus McLaurine on bass, Sean Harkness on guitar, Geoff Burke on Sax and Benny Benack III on trumpet and guest vocals.  Vanessa performs at over 50 venues and festivals across the country annually from New York to New Orleans to San Francisco with a combined social media following of 20K+. Notable appearances include ABC7NY, Birdland NYC, Blues Alley-DC, Gracie Mansion, The Paramount, Scranton Jazz Festival, White Plains Jazz Festival and the Ronald Reagan International Trade Center. When she isn’t performing, she teaches voice to budding young singers at her home studio. Vanessa also had robust training in Jazz voice at SUNY Purchase with Alexis Cole and privately with Jackie Presti. She is currently working with Professor, Kate Baker as part of her Masters program.  To learn more or subscribe to her mailing list, go to http://www.vanessaracci.com or follow on Instagram, Facebook, YouTube, TikTok or Spotify @VanessaRacci. The tart, sassy sound and swinging rhythm of Vanessa Racci are a potent brew. A studied musician who, at this writing, is working toward a master’s degree in jazz, Vanessa sings with the confidence of a woman who knows her instrument. Led by a sense of adventure and fun, she sets sail effortlessly through a song and finds many surprises along the way. Vanessa extolled her family heritage in two prior collections, Italiana Fresca and Jazzy Italian, that made jazz and Italian songs seem meant for each other.  Now, in an album that represents a major step forward for her as a jazz singer, she has done the same with the music of the holidays. Yuletide tunes and jazz are often an uneasy fit; the songs are apt to turn into blowing sessions that strip them of their intended spirit. These three artists, along with a group of stalwart Manhattan jazzmen—notably her guest cohort, trumpeter-singer Benny Benack III—have made even the most familiar songs of the season sound fresh. Vanessa and Benny take “The Christmas Song” for a jazzy spin while keeping its childlike wonderment intact. The English carol “God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen” is revamped in the style of cool ‘50s modern jazz. Vanessa sprints through a medley of four chestnuts from Ella Fitzgerald’s 1960 album Ella Wishes You a Swinging Christmas; all of them receive a harmonic and metric overhaul but still swing hard in the Ella tradition. Not every tune is a standard. “I’d Like You for Christmas” was written in the ‘50s by Bobby Troup for his wife, Julie London, who sang it on an obscure single. From June Christy’s This Time of Year, a 1961 album of holiday songs penned for her by Connie Pearce and Arnold Miller, a West Coast couple, Vanessa chose “The Merriest,” a wreath of well-wishes for those who are struggling. James Gavin Click here to join our group on Facebook Preview Clip of “Comfort and Joy”

In this episode, actor and director Anthony Robert Grasso shares his journey through Italian heritage, acting, and filmmaking, emphasizing the importance of tradition, community, and continuous learning in the arts. Explore Italian roots and the power of storytelling with actor and director Anthony Robert Grasso. In this conversation, Anthony reflects on his professional background and the importance of tradition in his filmmaking career. He shares personal stories about his early work as a fine art painter and his time in the corporate world, illustrating how hard work and a commitment to learning shaped his path. By examining his own creative journey, we gain insight into how personal heritage influences artistic expression and professional growth. Whether you are interested in the intersection of culture and art or looking for inspiration to pursue your own passion, this discussion highlights the value of community and the pay-it-forward mentality. Understanding these personal narratives is a meaningful part of family history research, helping us see how our backgrounds inform the work we create today. Subscribe for regular guidance on tracing your Italian roots, and share in the comments what role your heritage plays in your own life. Anthony Robert Grasso Website Click here to join our group on Facebook

Click here to join out Facebook group Morning: Ceramic Craftsmanship in Caltagirone We checked out of our hotel and set off across the interior of Sicily toward Palermo. Our first stop was the hilltop town of Caltagirone, world-famous for hand-painted ceramics (maiolica). We visited a local ceramic factory to watch artisans shape raw clay and hand-paint vibrant geometric patterns. We also visited the iconic Scalinata di Santa Maria del Monte—a breathtaking 142-step staircase where every single step is faced with a unique ceramic tile pattern. Lunch at Trattoria Anima (Caltagirone) Located near the ceramic museum in Piazza Marcinnò, we enjoyed a classic meal at Trattoria Anima: Starter: Mixed salad of tomatoes, radicchio, and arugula. Main Courses: Strozzapreti pasta with swordfish, eggplant & mint cream; Palermitana-style swordfish with roasted potatoes; or a rustic vegetarian platter featuring caponata, eggplant parmigiana, and vegetable croquettes. Dessert: Homemade Tiramisù. Afternoon: Villa Romana del Casale (Piazza Armerina) After spending the morning taking in centuries of history, we headed back to the hotel for a quick breather before our stomachs started reminding us it was lunch time. We asked the hotel concierge for an authentic, no-frills local spot. Without hesitation, he pointed us toward Trattoria paninoteca pizzeria B&B mamm e figl (a cozy local favorite known as Trattoria da Mamma), just a quick 10-minute walk down Via Carbonara. “It’s where the locals go,” he promised. And boy, was he right. What a find! We were treated to an authentic, three-course Feast of Naples—antipasto, primo, and contorno—for a mind-blowing €8. I ordered: Eggplant Parmigiana: Rich, savory, and cooked to perfection. Gnocchi: Pillow-soft and tossed in a vibrant tomato sauce. Meatballs: Two massive, melt-in-your-mouth polpette. If you ever find yourself anywhere near Via Carbonara, trust me—do not skip this place! Afternoon: Villa Romana del Casale (Piazza Armerina) We reboarded the bus and drove to the UNESCO World Heritage site of Villa Romana del Casale near Piazza Armerina. This sprawling 4th-century AD Roman villa houses some of the best-preserved ancient floor mosaics in the world, including the famous “bikini girls” sports mosaic and extensive hunting scenes. After a quick espresso stop at an Autogrill along the highway, we arrived in Palermo and checked into the magnificent Eurostars Centrale Palace Hotel, an 18th-century noble palace in the heart of the historic center. We took a short evening walk for a quick bite of ham and cheese before turning in. Have you ever traveled somewhere to trace your family history? Let me know in the comments below! Explore the rich history and cultural significance of Italian folk dances, especially the Tarantella, through the insights of Anna Harsh, an expert in Italian dance traditions. Discover the stories, regional variations, and modern adaptations of these vibrant dances. Key Topics History and origins of the Tarantella Regional variations and stories behind Italian dances The cultural and healing significance of dances like the Tarantella Anna Harsh’s journey from research to dance company The role of dance in community and heritage preservation Takeaways Italian folk dances are rich with regional stories and history. The Tarantella was originally a healing dance for spider bites. Regional variations of the Tarantella reflect local stories and traditions. Dance serves as a way to connect with and preserve cultural heritage. Anna Harsh’s work helps keep Italian dance traditions alive in the US. “Tarantella was meant to heal from a bite.” “The red scarf symbolizes life and death.” “Spinning sends vibrations to the heavens for healing.” Allegro Dance Company Click here to join our group on Facebook Click to find on Amazon

Click here to join out Facebook group Morning Departure and Heading to the Port We boarded our bus at 9:00 AM for the roughly 90-minute scenic drive south from Catania down to Siracusa and its historic island heart, Ortigia. Upon arriving at the port, we boarded a boat for a tour around the perimeter of Ortigia and into the dramatic coastal sea caves and grottos. Right at the very start of the boat trip, we had our first adrenaline rush—we literally had to prostrate ourselves flat on the deck just to clear the low stone bridge without losing our heads! Once through, the sparkling waters, sheer limestone cliffs, and hidden sea caves made for an unforgettable morning on the water. Click to book your trip. Mention Italian Genealogy. A Short Walk Through Ortigia to Ristorante Jobi By noon, we were back on dry land and took a pleasant 15-minute stroll through the charming stone alleyways of Ortigia to Ristorante Jobi on Via della Maestranza. Set right in the historic center, Jobi treated our group to a spectacular three-course Sicilian lunch with a wonderful selection of regional appetizers, pastas, seafood, and classic desserts: Starter Choices: Sicilian fish caponata served with a savory fish arancino Sardines “a beccafico” paired with a fish arancino Refreshing octopus salad Citrusy Sicilian orange salad Traditional eggplant caponata or mixed grilled vegetables Tomato salad with red onion and shaved salted ricotta Main Course Choices: Tagliatelle tossed with tender shrimp and pistachio pesto Classic spaghetti with fresh clams (spaghetti alle vongole) Rich Maccheroni alla Norma Homemade ricotta ravioli in tomato sauce Roasted tuna served with sweet-and-sour (agrodolce) onions Crispy fried calamari Dramatic squid-ink spaghetti (spaghetti al nero di seppia) Dessert Options: Deconstructed Sicilian cannolo Creamy, classic Tiramisù Street Markets, Ancient Ruins, and an Evening Spritz After lingering over another remarkable meal, we spent the afternoon exploring more of Siracusa’s vibrant culture. We strolled through the bustling local street market, taking in the sights, colors, and aromas of fresh Sicilian produce, spices, and seafood, and took time to admire the city’s ancient Greek and Roman ruins. By the time we made it back to the hotel around 6:30 PM, it had been a long, fulfilling day. Rather than heading out for a full sit-down dinner, we opted for a quick, relaxing Spritz and light snacks at the hotel bar—the perfect low-key wrap-up to an incredible outing. Looking Ahead to Day 12 Tomorrow, our journey moves west across the island toward Palermo, with exciting stops planned along the way at the ceramic-rich town of Caltagirone and the world-famous Roman mosaics of Piazza Armerina! Have you ever traveled somewhere to trace your family history? Let me know in the comments below!

In this episode, Michael Fattorossi shares his 20-year journey of researching his Italian family roots, restoring a historic palazzo in Vasto, and navigating Italy’s bureaucratic system as a digital nomad. Discover insights into Italian history, real estate, and practical tips for expats and travelers. Beyond the physical repairs, this project represents a deep connection to Vasto Italy and the stories that define our lineage. Whether you are currently conducting your own Italian genealogy research or simply curious about the practical challenges of sustaining a legacy building, this discussion offers a realistic perspective on digital nomad life in the Mediterranean. To learn more or help with the project visit Michael’s Patreon Click here to join our group on Facebook