Maurizio Russomanno

Singing and writing music is my calling. I am a giving person and can't think of a better way than to give back through singing. I have seen firsthand the healing powers it has had on my elderly mom of 92 years as I write this. She suffered a debilitating stroke when she was 78 that took away her speech and paralyzed her on the right side -leaving her in a wheelchair - requiring full-time care. Almost every evening (when I am not playing a bar gig) I help with my mom's care but more importantly brighten her spirits through song. I sing Old Italian folk favorites of hers in addition to songs I have written. I also make up songs on the spot about how amazing and beautiful she is. What is incredible is that although she can't speak - she can still sing! The music part of her brain was not affected by the stroke. It's absolutely wonderful to see her face light up when I pull out my guitar and she joins in singing to one of her favorites such as Santa Lucia or O Sole Mio. It's as if she is coming back to life - waking up more and more with each passing note. Some may think I sacrificed a chance at a successful music career by staying close to home all these years, but for me there was no choice to be made. Singing/playing for my mom has not only brought her happiness and the feeling of being valued - but it also has made me a profoundly better musician/singer. These experiences taught me to sing with love, be playful/experimental, be in the moment and bring forth all that I am - quirks and all :-)