Assembly Resolution No. 529

BY: M. of A. DenDekker

COMMENDING Richie Cannata upon the occasion of his
designation as recipient of the 2017 Italian
American of the Year Award by the New York
Conference of Italian American State Legislators

WHEREAS, It is the custom of this Legislative Body to pay tribute to
those individuals of true purpose and worthy accomplishment who foster
ethnic pride and strive to preserve their cultural heritage, thereby
enhancing the profile of cultural diversity which strengthens the fabric
of community throughout this great Empire State; and

WHEREAS, Attendant to such concern, and in full accord with its
long-standing traditions, this Legislative Body is justly proud to
commend Richie Cannata upon the occasion of his designation as recipient
of the 2017 Italian American of the Year Award by the New York
Conference of Italian American State Legislators to be celebrated on
Monday, June 5, 2017, in Albany, New York; and

WHEREAS, Richie Cannata was born and raised in Brooklyn and then
Long Island; his parents were born in New York as well and his
grandparents who came through Ellis Island at the turn of the century;
and

WHEREAS, Richie Cannata's grandfather was born in Calabria and his
grandmother was from Palermo; he is a pure third generation Italian; and

WHEREAS, Growing up, Richie Cannata studied classical piano but it
does not stop there; he also studied the clarinet, flute, keyboards, and
saxophone with the tenor saxophone being his forte; and

WHEREAS, In his twenties, Richie Cannata performed and toured with
Billy Joel and often returns to perform on stage with him as he did on
the New Year's Eve 2000 Millennium Show at Madison Square Garden along
with a 12 show run in 2006; and

WHEREAS, During the mid 1990s, Richie Cannata toured with the Beach
Boys; in his experience with them, he also worked with John Stamos as he
and the Beach Boys would appear on the hit sitcom, "Full House"
together; recently, Ritchie contributed to Brian Wilson's new CD; and

WHEREAS, Richie Cannata is not only a professional musician but also
a music producer; he has produced albums for Phoebe Snow, Rita Coolidge,
Corey Hart, and Tommy Shaw; he has worked with not only Billy Joel and
the Beach Boys, but Celine Dion, Jennifer Lopez, Bernie Williams, and
many others; and

WHEREAS, Richie Cannata's musical work can also be heard in the
motion pictures "Remo Williams - The Adventure Begins" and "Slaves of
New York"; all of his extensive work behind the scenes in music led him
to open Cove City Sound Studios, a state-of-the-art recording studio in
Glen Cove, New York, he co-owns with his son, Eren Cannata; and

WHEREAS, Currently, Richie Cannata is working on many production
projects at Cove City Sound Studios in addition to hosting Monday Night
Jams at the Bitter End; he is also the musical director of former New
York Yankee and Latin Grammy nominated jazz artist, Bernie Williams and
his band; and

WHEREAS, In 2011, Richie Cannata released his debut solo album
titled Richie Cannata, now being sold online; and

WHEREAS, It is the sense of this Legislative Body that when
individuals of such noble aims and accomplishments are brought to our
attention, they should be celebrated and recognized by all the citizens
of this great Empire State; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
commend Richie Cannata upon the occasion of his designation as recipient
of the 2017 Italian American of the Year Award by the New York
Conference of Italian American State Legislators; and be it further

RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be
transmitted to Richie Cannata.