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  • About Jimi Ruccolo

    James (Jimmy) Ruccolo was born at St. Francis Hospital in Miami Beach Fl. on August 9, 1958 to Louis Martin and Marie Ruccolo.  James has two older siblings Mike and Louis Jr., (Marty) Ruccolo .  James attended Oak Grove Elementary School, Thomas Jefferson Junior High School and N. Miami High School, and also N.M.B. high school and graduated 1976.  He attended Miami Dade Community College where he was mentored by the child prodigy, Vincent Bredice, who also taught world renown jazz guitarist Joe Diorio.  He also minored in acting and would have a lucrative little career doing national commercials, Stroh’s beer, and a few movie roles (Band Of the Hand) and on the 80’s hit Miami Vice.

  • Up to that point, Jimmy was a student of guitar at the age of 8 yrs old after given the choice by his Grandfather (mom ‘s dad  who he adored and adored him) to be a Boy scout or learning guitar.  He chose guitar and started a love of music that has only grown for decades that followed.  Soon after, his siblings Mike and Marty started a family band with Mike on bass and Marty on drums.  Few years later on the sidewalk in front of his brother and parents Italian Restaurant.  Marty was also a very accomplished chef and restaurant owner.

  • He met his best friend and music soul mate George Mazzola.  The two would be two primary songs writers for their band called “Hotashe” and would play often at beach parties, infamous block parties and even play for crowds of friends at their family restaurant which was closed on Mondays but would be converted into a Rock n” Roll concert venue with over a hundred inside and up to 200 people outside.  James went on to become a full time local working musician.  Working at most of the music venues at the time that supported “live” music.  He worked at the famous Newport 7 Seas Lounge with a Broadway style show with full costumes, acting skits and performed music from 30’s & 40’s, a 50’s and 60’s show that had a Beatles tribute.  The show ‘s name Generations 3 were inspired by Kenny Martel’s concept, and who was very successful with similar shows at Beethoven’s & the Brickyard in Ft. Lauderdale.  He worked one house gig in Ft Lauderdale with friends John Platero and Elliott Varon at Mr. Laffs for over 7 years.

  • Around 1985 Jimmy got a call from a new jingle house that had just opened in Hollywood.  The company, “Music Works” was owned and operated by a married couple, John Martyn & Linda Thronberg who just graduated from Berkley school of music. John did the music composition and arranging, while Linda handled the music business.  They called and needed a guitar part on a jingle for a tuxedo store.  The pay was a new used tuxedo.  That session was the beginning of what would become a 30 something year relationship that produced thousands of jingles and music production jobs. (http://www.audacityrecordingstudios.com/#!jingles/c18z5)

Jimi Ruccolo Rocks! ©2019