Al "Chance" Cella is known for his wide vocal range and skill in crossing styles and genres of music from swing and standards to Opera, Doo-Wop and Rock. He has thrilled crowds with his ability to render everything from a Frankie Valli-like falsetto to Frank Sinatra's smooth baritone and everyone in between.

As a Brooklyn raised teenager who cut his vocal teeth on British Invasion Rock & Roll, he has made appearances at The Cheetah Club, Cafe Wha?, Hullabaloo Clubs, Grossinger's Hotel and even performed the role of "Judas" in a local "off-off" Broadway production of Jesus Christ Superstar. He was also a well known Lead Singer of various musical groups in dance clubs of the 60's/70's, and Wedding Band Orchestras of the 80's in the Brooklyn/Long Island area.

Now a resident New Jerseyan, in recent years he has made appearances at "Lead East" and the UGHA (United in Group Harmony Association) as both a Lead and background singer. In addition, he is the one-man vocal center of his own the internet based recording group "Chance and the Phantasmics" wherein he  arranges and overdubs all the vocal and digital instrumental parts from the Bass to the Falsetto of some well known hits of yesteryear. 

Al's program concentrates on the "Legends of Italian and Italian-American Singers" including a mix of the more contemporary singers who have helped define American popular song.

Boheme Opera New Jersey was concieved and founded in 1981 as a musicians guild by Joseph R Pucciatti, area composer, conductor, lecturer and teacher, and Sandra Milstein-Puciatti, noted area concert pianist, opera lecturer and teacher. During its evolution into professional production company, it presented a 5-year recital series featuring New Jersey artist and ensembles at Trenton's Mill Hill Playhouse, several outdoor presentations at Chambersburg's Italian Feast of Lights and Trenton's Heritage Days Festivals, dinner opera at Roman Hall, and intermittent concerts and opera-related events at various venues throughout the Delaware Valley region, including the fledgling Bristol Riverside Theatre in 1988. In 1989, the Boheme organization inaugurated its first season of fully staged, professionally sung opera with productions of Verdi's La Traviata and Puccini's Tosca.

This year, Boheme Opera is the recipient of its second Citation of Excellence from the New Jersey State Council on the Arts, which is a major contributor to its programming. The company is also funded by: The New Jersey Cultural Trusy, The boheme Opera Guild, The Geraldine R. Dodge Foundation, The Karma Foundation, Public Service Electric & Gas Company, Merill Lynch, Janssen Pharmaceutica, Roma Bank, Sovereign Bank, Wachovia and Bracco Diagnostics, Inc., among others. The Times of Trenton is its long-time Media Sponsor.

Boheme Opera is a professional member of Opera America, New Jersey Art Pride, Mercer Regional Chamber of Commerce and the recently formalized Greater Trenton Arts & Business council. They are a must see! 

Rising star, Dominic Mantuano, a tenor, has performed in some of the finest New York City cabarets, stages, and operas including a starring role in an original production called Ellis Island. He holds the distinction of being named Grand Champion Performer of the World, based on his performance during The World Championships of the Performing Arts, which hosted 1500 performers from 30 countries. His other accolades include a performance at the Mario Lanza 38th Anniversary Pre-Ball Dinner in Philadelphia. With Lanza being one of Mr. Mantuano's foremost influences, he recently released his first album, 'Second Star to the Right' which features the songs of Lanza.

Don Felice, a vocalist for more than eighteen years, hails from Molise Italy. Don has been reviewed as a "Singing Sensation", A Gentleman and Fine Talent, "A man who always has a song in his heart". His love of his craft and passion for life truely comes through his voice. He attends Febraio School of Music in New York, instructed by vocal coach, Dr. Salvatore M. Febraio.

His songs are very often heard on radio station 93.5 WRTN-FM and has performed in a range of area restaurants and nightclubls in the Tri-State, Catskills as well as California, Canada, Chicago, Florida, Boston and Delaware.

Drummer Enrico Cruitti, originally from Naples, Italy has been a guitarist and percussionist for over 20 years and attended the Conservatory of Music in Naples. Keyboard, Mark Shamrakov has been playing keyboards, piano, and guitar for over 25 years.

The three combine, accompanied, and toured with professional Italian Artists such as Mauro Nardi, Carmelo Zapulla, Albano, Bobby Solo, Iva Zanicchi, Mario Merola, and Mario Trevi. Their superb quality of music has made them unique entertainers and musicians. Together they blend musical expertise with vocal sensation and it's magic.

"Frank, Dean Returns with Marilyn"

The sounds of "That's Amore", "Witchcraft", and "Diamonds are a girls best friend" will be heard at the Mercer County Italian-American Festival as the Rat Pack act of Frank Sinatra, Dean Martin, and Marilyn Monroe is re-created by tribute artist Billy Kay, Rich Sette, and Holly Faris. The new show now including Holly as Marilyn takes place on Friday evening, September 28th at 8pm, featuring the music and comedy antics of these legendary acts on the Roma stage.

For those of you who were lucky enough to see Frank Sinatra, Dean Martin, and Marilyn Monroe perform, this show will bring back all those fond memories . Billy, Rich, and Holly have been traveling the country bring rave reviews for their performance in the Rat Pack's Back show. The threesome adlibs there comic stage antics and sing different songs at every show keeping every performance unique and fresh!.

Billy Kay has performed his Sinatra tribute all over the U.S. and Canada to sold out audiences, for over twelve years. Among his credits, Billy had been hand picked to perform live at various venues accross the U.S. by Capitol Records Marketing (CEMA), to promote Frank Sinatra's CD releases DUETS in 1993, DUETS II in 1994, and Capitols 80th birthday release in 1995. This will be Billy's fourth appearence at the festival. After Billy's first appearence, the NJ Times Quoted "The quality of his act just struck us"

Rich Sette has delighted audiences with his dead-on impersonation of Dino for decades and his comic antics have been seen in film and television. This will be Rich's third appearence at the festival.

Holly Faris as Marilyn always had a great gift for impersonating. It all started with relatives and home room teachers, as they were characters in their own right. As Holly readily admits "I used to get hit for it, now I get paid for it". Holly has come a long way since then gracing stages in Vegas, Atlantic City and works quite frequently in the Caribbean. This will be Holly's first time at the festival, but not her last.

Further information on these fine performers can be found at their respective websites at sintraclone.com, amoredeanmartin.com and hollyfaris.com

Italian born and raised Giada Valenti transports her audience back and fourth across the Atlantic in an evening filled with emotion and elegance. Experience your favorite Italian, Neapolitan and American Songbook standards, combined with a few of her own songs. All-in-all, a medley of wonderment, with a fantastic popp/jazz sound. Giada is a performer with a flair, bound to spellbound you, and what fun!

 The members of I Paesani, Italian Singers and Dancers from the Lehigh Valley of Pennsylvania came together over 20 years ago for a three-fold purpose, to preserve the rich musical heritage of the land of their ancestors, to introduce traditional Italian music to new audiences and to bring joy to their loyal public. They offer not only melodies known and loved by the American audiences, but also various music to originating from different regions of Italy. They research the dialects, costumes and customs of these regions in order to illustrate the differences between the northern polyphonic, harmonious, lighter melodies of the north as opposed to the often sad, passionate melodies with an Arabic flavor of the south.

Since Italy does have a "national" costume, the members have researched and have made many costumes from the various regions. There are endless choices of materials, decorations, styles, and colors to choose from which creates a very colorful vision on the stage. The dancers of Italy are aas varied as the songs. Paesani performs the gentle, flirtatious dances from the North as well as the vigorous tarantellas from the South and Central Italy.

Joe Polito has been singing and performing since early childhood. Wheater singing in his Church or Glee Club, Joe's powerful voice would always distinguish him from the other members. His early inspirations were Mario Lanza, Jerry Vale, the Beatles, Bobby Rydell, Frankie Avalon, and Elvis Presley.

In the seventies, he was introduced to the sounds of Tom Jonesthrough his mother who enjoyed watching Tom on his television show. Joe also remembers hearing Englebert Humperdinck back then on the radio and liking his music too. Later, Joe interested in Neil Diamond's music, but always fell back on the sounds and performances of Tom Jones, Elvis Presley and eventually Englebert, which later took precedence for his singing abilities.

He has performed for many private parties, corporate functions, as well as several clubs in Delaware, Maryland, PA & NJ such as the Tropivana Casino's Market Place, and large audiences at the Three Little Bakers Theatre in Wilmington, DE and has shared the stage with legendary groups, Danny & The Juniors, The Dovells and was the opening act for the Duprees and Johnny Maestro and the Brooklyn Bridge!

The meeting of a life time occured July 21, 2002 outside Resorts Casino in Atlantic City, where Joe told Tom Jones he was singing his songs. Joe Polito's visual performance, as well as vocal, has audiences everywhere longing for the days of Tome Jones & Englebert Humperdinck wooing their fans.

John Carelli is an exciting singer in the grand tradition of the classic Italian tenor. Audiences are thrilled as they listen not only to the richness of his voice, but also to his skillful and passionate renditions in a wide variety of musical styles.

Apart from his strength as classical tenor, John's other credits range accross a wide cariety of venues and musical styles. Among these are: vocalist with a swing-era style "big band", leading roles in musical thearte, and numerous appearences both as a soloist and with choruses and close harmony groups both large and small. In addition, John was selected as a winner in the Philadelphia Eagles National Anthem Competition and performed the National Anthem for the Eagles and Philadelphia 76ers.

John's program contains a broad mix of Italian and American favorites, including well-known Neapolitan and operatic numbers and popular American standards, many from the Broadway stage. It is a performance that never fails to captivate all who listen!

Conductor, Performer, Composer, Arranger, Educator

Mr. Scannella taught instrumental music in the Branchburg Township Schools for 25 years. He has conducted the Mercer County Band, Kasia Cultural Arts Center Orchestra, the Greater Princeton Youth Orchestra, the Trenton Symponetta, and the Trenton Youth Orchestra. He continues to conduct and perform music at a variety of Italian, jazz and social events. He has served in the capacity of President as both the New Jersey conference of Musicians and the Trenton Musicians Local #62

Over Mr. Scannella's long career he has performed and recorded with the Philadelphia Orchestra and the Philadelphia Brass Ensemble. He has been a member of the Trenton Symphony, the Princeton Chamber Orchestra, the Delaware Valley Orchestra, the N.B.C. Opera Company, and the Trenton Civic Opera. Over the years, Mr. Scannella has appeared with and provided back-up for such esteemed performers as Diana Ross, Bob Hope, Eugene Ormandy, Arthur Fiedler, Zubin Mehta, Al Martino, Louis Prima, Liberace, Roberta Peters, Issac Stern, Gorden McRae, Don Cornell, Eddie Arnold, Meredith Wilson and many more.

Mr. Scannella is a graduate of the Juillard School of Music. He resides in Ewing Township, NJ with Mary, his wife of 45 years. He has five children and four grandchildren.

Lou Pettinelli has been performing since he was sixteen years old. Lou and his brothers, Pete, Dino, Dero and Dominic make up the band. Music from all styles and generations make up the repertoire. Traditionla Italian music and entertainment is the band's special love. Growing up in an Italian family and neighborhood in western New Jersey gives Lou and his brothers a special feel for traditional Italian music and festivals.

The band has performed at many festivals in western New Jersey, Eastern Pennsylvania and New York with such artists as Pat Cooper and Don Sebestian. Pete Pettinelli, an accomplished tenor soloist, is a recipient of the Mario Lanza Award, a national vocal competition. He is the "Mario Lanza" of the band. As you sit back and enjoy the show, Lou Pettinelli and his brothers will surely play the favorites that will bring back fond memories. 

Maristella has been a sought-after singer and pianist in the New York City area for many years. Classically-trained at both Manhattan School of Music and Westminister Choir College, she then studied pop singing with Mariah Carey's mother. Maristella's experience ranges from Off-Broadway's Tony 'n' Tina's Wedding to being featured in the media for her latest original release. Being bilingual, Maristella found a niche in the Italian-American market. She has opened for comedian Pat Cooper and Italian favorite Julius LaRosa, and has performed at the esteemed San Remo Festival in Italy.She also has an open-door policy with Warner Bros. Records in Milano for submitting songs to Grammy-award artist, Laura Pausini.

As an Italian performer, Maristella prides herself on her vast repertoire that ranges from the traditional to the pop to the songs of Bocelli. She also includes contemporary arrangements of some of the Italian favorites. Enjoy the journey as Maristella's voice moves you through the greatest of Italian music. 

 Masterpiece is a "high energy" party/dance band featuring outstanding vocalists supported by sizzling rhythm and horn sections.

Masterpiece features a diverse repertoire of songs from the "Big Band" era of the 40's to the "vibrant" sounds of today's hits.

Masterpiece has provided the finest in live entertainment at many Nightclub venues and Banquet Facilities throughout New Jersey, Pennsylvania and New York and will create that same atmosphere at this year's Italian-American Festival. Come see this "dynamic" band and dance to a variety of "Standards", "Italian", "Top 40 Dance", Disco", "Soul", "Motown:, "Oldies" and "Rock 'n Roll' favorites.

"Bella Notte"

Join Don Meritt and Annette Moreau as they celebrate their Italian heritage in an unforgettable evening of music and laughter! Don't let their stage name fool you, they are first and second generation Italian-Americans who grew up surrounded by music. You'll hear all your favorite Italian songs, both old and new, from Mala Femmina to Andrea Bocelli's "Con Te Partiro"

Don and Annette have thrilled countless audiences on Broadway, in concert, and literally around the world. Television, film, nightclubs and resorts. they have done it all,... but perhaps their greatest love is singing the music they grew up with. "It's like being home again."

Fabulous voices, wonderful songs, and lots of laughter along the way make this truly a..."Bella Notte!"

Most recent performances have delighted thousands at:

Long Island's Eisenhower Park, The Villa Roma Resort, Greenlake Resort and over twentyfive thousand in attendance at the La Festa Italiana in Omaha, NB.

 Oldies Vocal Group & Band

SideWalk Serenade is an oldies vocal group and band that have been entertaining audiences throughout New Jersey and New York over 7 years.

All members of the group performed in the past with other oldies "doo-wop" groups and bands, and SideWalk Serenade is the result of those experiences.

The group appeared in a variety of venues, from local street fest and county fairs, cafes and supper clubs, performances at the Meadowlands, Catskills Resorts, to adult retirement communities.

Their music includes 50's, 60's and a sprinkle of 70's. Wheater its doo-wop, Motown or classical rock, you'll find yourself remembering those days gone by.

Their style plays to the audience and encourage audience participation.

For more info., Call Rich Lapadura @ 732-251-4049, email richlap74@aol.com, website sidewalkserenade.tripod.com