Where do all great musical artists stories begin, well in there home town. In Vince Falcone case this Nottingham High School graduate went on to continue his education at Syracuse University graduating in 1960. A note- Vince was a boyhood friend of another great SAMMYS Hall of Famer- Sal Nistco who fame spanned the world in the field of jazz. Falcone then joined the Gabe Garland Band making $75 a week after ending his military service in the fall of 1963.
The Vince Falcone Trio was formed with Tony Leonardi, Pete Lulis and Falcone while playing at Syracuse's Coda Restaurant during 1963. It was then on to engagements at Soo-Lins, Luigi's, The Birches and Clef while taking a full-time position at the Clark Music Company. During this time frame Falcone replaced keyboard great Bill Rubenstein backing the amazing jazz singer Anna Marie (Genovese) who performed many-many times at The Casablanca in downtown Syracuse and appeared nationally on the "Tonight Show".
Vince Falcone left Syracuse for the bright lights of Las Vegas in January 1972. His first gig was with Jimmy Hassel at the Thunderbird Hotel (paid $298 a week). The following year Vince became the pianist at the Dunes Hotel for a two year weekly salary of $323 and stayed three years. Also during this period he also started a two-year stint at the Marina Hotel. Playing both lasted some two years. Then it was on to Caesar's Palace fora two-week engagement with a 39-piece orchestra backing Frank Sinatra. This led to Falcone musical engagements with such amazing performers as- Diana Ross, Lena Horne, Tom Jones, Alan King, Buddy Hackett, Ann Margret, Shirley Mac Lane and Sammy Davis Jr.
In the spring of 1977, Vince started his first road trip with Frank Sinatra at Lake Tahoe. Conducting the Sinatra Orchestra landed him a $35,000 contract. Vince returned to Syracuse on August 28, 1978 with Sinatra performing at the New York State Fair. Then it was on to Egypt to perform a charity event for Mrs. Sadat in 1979, Next a major tour of South America visiting Brazil, Argentina and Rio. Another major event happened in Santo Domingo billed as the "Concert of the Americas" on August 20, 1982. The event featured Sinatra with the Buddy Rich Orchestra. Note- Vince Falcone also arranged Frank Sinatra's "Trilogy Lp: (1980), and the singles releases of "Say Hello" (1981) and "To Love a Child " (1982), The all of a sudden everything ended as he was fired after seven year by Sinatra.
He returned to being house pianist at Caesar's Palace and started working with vocalist Pia Zadara in the spring of 1983. With Pia they were invited to perform for George W. Bush's inaugual celebration (note he \had also performed for President Ronald Reagan). Vince then teamed with Andy Williams on his 1st Christmas Tour in late 1984. Finally after three years with Pia Zadora he was rehired by Sinatra and Frank recorded one of his greatest tunes, the "Theme from New York New York; (1985), Needing his independence, this second stint with Sinatra lasted about a year. Between 1995-97, Falcone teamed with songster Eddie Fisher, In 2003, saw Vince in Barcelona, Spain with Jerry Lewis with the Barcelona Symphony Orchestra.
Vince Falcone- a magnificent conductor, bandleader and performer played shows at some of the world greatest hotels and resorts in Atlantic City and Las Vegas. He would then publish a book in late 2005 telling of his fantastic years with Sinatra entitled "Frankly Just Between Us, My Life Conduction Frank Sinatra's Music".
Vince Falcone played as well as conducted for the following national acts during his amazing music career- Tony Bennett, Andy Williams, Robert Goulet, Paul Anka, Eddie Fisher, Diahann Carol, Connie Francis, Jerry Lewis, McGuire Sisters, Jack Jones, Al Martino, Frankie Valli, Mike Curb Congregation, and Steve Lawrence & Eyde Gorme to name a few.
Vince conducted and performed with Frank Sinatra at Syracuse's Carrier Dome for New York Gouvenor's Hugh Carey' fundraiser then included Wayne Newton. Falcone returned again to Central New York on October 6, 2012 to play at the AmeriCo Jazz in Caz Festival at Cazenovia College, NY. At that event we caught another great CNY musician Danny D'Imperio.
On the evening of March 2, 2017- Vince Falcone was inducted into the Syracuse Area Music Hall of Fame at the Dinosaur Bar B Que by given the SAMMYs "Lifetime Achievement Award" there highest honor.. His induction speech was given by Michael Davis (Syracuse New Times) himself a SAMMYs Hall of Fame member. A truly great story of a great man that all CNY's can cherish.
In a very sad note to this story - the great Vince Falcone passed away of Friday March 24, 2017 at 10:55 pm in Torrance, Ca at age 79. He was a true Syracuse Music Legend who will be deeply missed by many.
In a very sad note to this story - the great Vince Falcone passed away of Friday March 24, 2017 at 10:55 pm in Torrance, Ca at age 79. He was a true Syracuse Music Legend who will be deeply missed by many.
