Album Notes

About John Gatti

Throughout a musical career that has spanned nearly four decades, John Gatti primarily played music composed by others. As a rock musician, he played piano, flute, clarinet, harmonica, and saxophone with such groups as The Unknowns, Truth and The Good Rats. During those stints he opened concerts for headliners like Bruce Springsteen, The Grateful Dead and Journey. John also sang and played keyboards and clarinet with Grover, Margaret, and Za Zu Zaz, a popular swing-jazz group, in the late 70s and early 80s, and again during their 20-year reunion concerts and live recording in 1999 - 2000.

After Za Zu Zaz disbanded, Gatti played on and produced CDs with various musical artists. He also created original music and recording commercials for such companies as Mercedes, Shop Rite, American Airlines and Buick. For the past five years, John has played jazz standards and his original compositions with bassist Jeff Gellis at different venues. Married with two children and two grandsons, John Gatti is also a piano teacher with over 40 private students.

About Life Lines, Heart Lines:
Music That Celebrates Family

John Gatti has been composing his own music for over three decades. Life Lines, Heart Lines consists of melodic instrumentals inspired by family members. The CD consists of 11 songs, ranging from a classically infused tribute to his Aunt Anna, who played the organ in St. Anthony's Church in Paterson for over 45 years, to a lighthearted celebration of his in-law's 50th wedding anniversary. All songs were written, arranged, played and produced by John himself.

John was first inspired to write a family song when his father died, in 1990. "My father was a fine musician and my musical mentor," John recalls. "When he died, this song just came out of me, and seemed to reflect his spirit. The other songs were created in much the same process."