Free Concert Series Combines Chocolate, World-Class Jazz

News, Michael Occipinti, Pat Martino, Victor Garcia

By I Jun. 22, 2016

Michael Occipinti & The Sicilian Project will perform on July 2 as part of Romolo Chocolates’ series of free concerts in Erie, Pennsylvania.
(Photo: Courtesy of the artist)

Philanthropists are often known for awarding cash grants, but folks can also earn the designation for other forms of generosity.

For six consecutive years, business owner Tony Stefanelli, a “jazz philanthropist” from Erie, Pennsylvania, has been presenting jazz concerts gratis.

Stefanelli, 67, brings world-class jazz talent to a rather unlikely setting—the piazza of his tremendously successful business, Romolo Chocolates. The concerts are free.

Beginning July 2 and continuing for the following four Saturdays, Stefanelli will offer a summer music series for jazz fans in Erie—a city of just under 100,000 located midway between Cleveland and Buffalo on Lake Erie.

This year’s lineup will include guitarist Michael Occipinti & The Sicilian Project (July 2); Pat Martino’s organ trio (July 9); an “Alto Madness” show with saxophonist Richie Cole and Erieites guitarist Frank Singer and drummer Joe Dorris (July 16); tenor saxophonist/flutist Don Braden and his group, featuring singer Vanessa Rubin (July 23); and trumpeter Victor Garcia’s trio (July 30).

Occipinti, who has received eight Juno nominations in the category Best Contemporary Jazz Album, is currently touring to promote the album Muorica, which features a large cast of Canada’s top musicians fronted by long-time vocalist Dominic Mancuso.

The band’s style has been described as a mix of “Old World Sicilian folk material and the New World sounds of electric guitars, chamber music, funk and reggae grooves, and modern jazz.”

Martino, who’s widely hailed as one of the top guitarists in jazz history, will perform at Romolo Chocolates on July 9 with organist Pat Bianchi and drummer Carmen Intorre. The trio will squeeze in the Erie gig between shows in Buffalo, New York (July 8), and Cleveland (July 10). The trio will enjoy a residency at New York City’s Jazz Standard on July 21–24.

In previous years, Stefanelli’s series has including concerts by violinist Christian Howes, organist Tony Monaco, harmonicist Hendrik Meurkens, tenor saxophonist Eric Alexander, the all-female Latin-jazz encemble Cocomama, guitarist Paul Bollenbeck, Bill O’Connell’s Latin Jazz All Stars, saxophonist Ralph Lalama, organist Greg Hatza and many other artists.

The series allows Stefanelli to combine his dual passions: chocolate and jazz. His Italian-born grandfather had a chocolate business in Italy. Then the family and business moved to Erie and opened a store, where the young Stefanelli served his apprenticeship.

“Chocolate has always been a part of my life,” Stefanelli said. “I was raised in a candy shop.”

When the family decided to close the Erie store, Stefanelli took his shot and opened the expansive Romolo Chocolates. The stunning building has been dubbed a “palace” due to its impressive architecture.

“Jazz came to me early in life,” recalled Stefanelli. “My father was a chromatic harmonica player who listened to Toots Thielemans, Diz, Sinatra, the big bands.”

Stefanelli studied music extensively, including a stint in New York with the legendary bassist Dave Holland, and even taught. He made his living as a bassist at one point in his life, and still does some gigging on a fretless electric bass and on rare occasions, an upright bass.

Although his chocolate business has long thrived, several years ago, Stefanelli noticed a bit of a slowdown in summer. He thought that offering some live, no-charge music might help. He began by presenting local musicians—individual players and duos who were based in the area. The enthusiastic response from customers motivated him to go big time.

Stefanelli described the outdoor piazza as a “sanctuary where an almost spiritual interaction between audience and musicians takes place.” He made special mention of the great job done by Phil Papotnik, a local sound engineer who runs the soundboard during the shows.

“Every aspect of what the audience experiences was created out of love,” Stefanelli said. “When everything is in full swing, it is pure joy.”

So does Stefanelli feel like a philanthropist? Not so much. “I think of myself more as a teacher,” he explained, “saying to my friends and customers, ‘Here, this is a gift.’”

(Note: Romolo Chocolates is located at at 1525 W. 8th Street in Erie, Pennsylvania. For more information, visit the company’s website.)