The BronxWanderers

Born and raised in the Bronx, New York, it was Rock & Roll Hall of Fame legend Dion DiMucci who set Yo’ Vinny on the path to becoming a musician. It was also with Dion’s help that he came to work for Terry Cashman & Tommy West. (Cashman & West are best known for producing all of Jim Croce’s hit records.) While working for Cashman & West, Yo’ Vinny was also able to work with Dion on the albums “Return Of The Wanderer” and “Fire In The Night.” Still with Cashman, West and their partner Phil Kurnit to this day, he produces records for Winthrop Records, Metrostar Records, American Originals Records and Lifesong Records. In 2003, Yo’ Vinny played Eric DeVene in the Heather Brothers Off-Broadway Production, “Café A Go-Go.” Most recently, he played the part of Jimmy Whispers in the first presentation of “A Bronx Tale” which has since gone on to Broadway. In 2009 he had the opportunity to be the lead voice for the group "The Dukes" in the motion picture of the same name which starred Robert Davi, Chazz Palminteri, and Peter Bogdanovich. “It was a cousin of mine who challenged me some years ago to take my kids and play some dates in Las Vegas.” Since that time he, along with his two sons, formed The Bronx Wanderers. “The dates went over so well, that we decided to stay together as a family act.” It was under the guidance of Hollywood actor, director and writer, Chazz Palminteri, that the group was named The Bronx Wanderers.

The Music Director for the Bronx Wanderers, “The Kid,” is the group’s keyboard player, lead singer and guitarist. Born in New York City and raised in northern New Jersey, he has enjoyed the opportunity and privilege to work on the same stage with Larry Chance and The Earls, Kenny Vance and the Planotones, Bobby Rydell, Earl Lewis and the Channels, and many more name acts. When not touring he is primarily a songwriter. You can hear his two singles “Get Over You” and “Sunday Mourning” on purevolume.com/lovebent or see his video of “Get Over You” on YouTube.com. Vinny is a graduate of The Richard Stockton College of NJ.

Born in New York City and raised in northern New Jersey, the group’s youngest member asked his parents to buy him a set of drums at the age of eight. He hasn’t stopped playing since. Nicky enjoys all genres of music, with jazz at the top of his list. His favorite drummers are Buddy Rich and Gene Krupa. Most recently Nicky has played several dates with The Jersey Boys including a tribute evening to Frankie Valli himself. He has also been in talks to do some dates with The Blue Man Group.

Jimmy Fracassi was born and raised in the Belmont Avenue (“Little Italy”) section of the Bronx, home to Dion DiMucci and Chazz Palminteri. He began playing guitar at the age of 13, and started working as a musician at 15...and has continued to do so ever since. Jimmy began working in local clubs and then started performing with different groups all over the tri-state area. He was the original guitarist on the song, “Barbara Ann,” recorded by The Regents. However, he is best known for the years he spent recording and performing with Larry Chance and The Earls. During that time, he had many hit records, and also had the opportunity to back legendary artists such as Patti LaBelle, Gladys Knight and the Pips, The Temptations, The Four Tops, and Dionne Warwick, to name a few. Several years ago, he toured with Dion, coming full circle with his own Bronx roots. In 2008 Jimmy was inducted into the Bronx Walk of Fame as one of the original members of Larry Chance and the Earls. He has taught guitar and mandolin in the New York area for many years, and has students of all ages and skill levels. Jimmy is currently still living in the Bronx (on City Island), and is the now the lead guitarist for The Bronx Wanderers.

John Tutino was born in the Bronx, New York. John, also known as “JT”, started playing guitar at age 8. His early influences were Rock, R & B, Jazz, Blues, Funk and Pop music. John has performed in the New York area for two decades in various original and tribute bands on guitar and saxophone. John has performed alongside many well-known local, national and internationally recognized musicians of diverse styles and genres, all of whom have had a big influence on him. Their masterful musicianship has helped him forge his own style and voice. His playing is dynamic and unique brought together by very good technical ability. Above all, it is soulful and musical. John has a Bachelor’s of Music (with Magna Cum Laude honors) from Berklee College of Music. He has studied and performed publicly with some of the great jazz musicians in New York and at Berklee who have challenged John to master his own musical destiny. Proficient on guitar and saxophone, this uncommon doubling of instruments makes him a valuable professional musician in addition to his producing, arranging and composing talents.