Vito Sollecito

Vito N. Sollecito, 94 passed away Monday, October 31,2022.

Born in Grumo Appula (Bari) Italy, August 3, 1928. At a very early age with the encouragement of his father, Vito showed an extreme interest and passion for music. His instruments of choice were the flute and piccolo. In a very short time he became one of the most sought after flutist. In Italy, visiting conductors would often tour small towns and smaller cities but utilize local musicians. Conductors would find experienced musicians some classically trained amongst the group ready for rehearsals and a small boy sitting in the flutist chair. Confused conductors would ask “Where’s the flutist?” and the response was always “He’s the best we have.”

Vito was eventually schooled in the best conservatories in Italy. Toured throughout Italy, performed in the many opera houses and served in the military within their marching and performing bands.

In 1955, Vito entered a contest that would offer him a position teaching in a conservatory in Ibagué Colombia which is known as “The Musical capital of Colombia”. He won. There his passion grew for teaching and conducting that lasted many years.

In 1958 he made his way to São Paolo Brazil where the Bossa Nova craze was in full force. One only had to listen to his sound expressivity, flexibility and technical ability but once, and knew they wanted him for their orchestra. He quickly became in demand and played with many of the famous musicians and big band orchestras in Brazil. Vito was called in to use his talents in recorded music. Normally recording five days/nights a week while performing and touring on weekends.

Some of the artists that he performed with in Brazil were Maysa, Dick Farney, Agostinho Dos Santos, and Luiz Arruda Paes. A touring Dizzie Gillespie impressed at what he saw made an offer to join his group.  He played with Luiz Bonfa while demoing his famous “Black Orpheus” to record companies. Vito also is in the movie soundtrack of the same name. He made a home with famous musician and composer Enrico Simonetti and his RGE Orchestra where his orchestra was the most requested for grand balls in Brazil. Simonetti and his orchestra were hired by TV Excelsior Canal 9 for their own TV variety show in 1960 in which Vito performed and used his talents on comedic sketches as well.

In 1963 he immigrated to the Bronx NY with his wife Zoraida and son Michael. He toured the United States with the internationally renowned classical ballet company the Bolshoi Ballet. Word once again got around and he was offered to perform with the Royal Ballet but instead Vito committed to performing at the 1964-1965 New York World’s Fair in Queens NY with the Band of America conducted by Paul Lavalle. Vito received offers to perform with Annunzio Mantovani and Henry Mancini to name a few but was tired of the long touring and wanting to remain home with his growing family.

Locally Vito performed with The Godfathers, The Continentals, and The Magic Sound along with his son Dan.

His positive outlook for life, his sense of humor, smile, laughter and his beautiful music will be missed.

Vito is survived by his wife Zoraida (nee Barrero) of 66 years, sons Michael (Giovanna), Dan (Rosa), Vito; grandsons Mike (Vanessa), Stephen, Danny, John, and great grandsons Luca and Nico.

The family will receive relatives and friends at the Ralph Giordano Funeral Home on Friday, November 4, 2022 from 4:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. A Mass of Christian will be celebrated at St Benedict's Church on Saturday, November 5, 2022 at 9:30 a.m. Mausoleum Entombment to follow, St Raymond's Cemetery (Our Lady of Hope Crypts).

Arrangements have been entrusted to the Ralph Giordano Funeral Home.

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