Album Notes

Louisiana Music Hall of Famer, Johnny Pennino, presents a collection of popular, jazzy tunes on this Live CD. His exceptional Tenor Saxophone is the focus. Johnny's sax is full of drive, punch and energy. It cries with you. It laughs with you. His seductive sound embraces your very soul. A depth of tone drips with emotion. Powerful riffs of passion elevate your senses. Like the man himself, Johnny's music is spiritual and romantic. He possesses a profound, engaging warmth. With his saxophone, he gives you his heart. Dr. John's arranger and drummer, Herman Ernest, provides insight to the special quality of Johnny's sound, ... "He plays with incredible heart...Johnny puts his heart into his sax like nobody else...you can feel it." Celebrated recording artist, Freddy Fender, comments further on the splendor of Johnny's genius with his sax, "who wouldn't be impressed with Pennino. He blows a tenor sax in such a sweet, pleasant and unforgettable way. Nobody else can come up with anything so unique. Johnny's sound is romantic. It is magical." Indeed, his fellow musicians love the Tenor Sax King of New Orleans. Johnny has played with dozens of recording stars from Freddy Fender to Sam Cooke to Aaron Neville and most recently, Jeff Healey. However, the ultimate compliment came from a jazz legend who never played with Johnny. The great Duke Ellington, on a tip from his trumpet player Cat Anderson, arrived at Papa Joes' on Bourbon Street one night. He wanted to hear for himself the highly touted sounds of a featured young saxophonist by the name of Johnny Pennino. The Duke, loving the sound he heard, made a point of meeting Johnny after the performance to offer his valued words of praise. Born and raised near Bourbon Street, Johnny began playing music under the influence of family friend and Louis Prima's sax master, Sam Butera. At age seventeen, Johnny's special gift on the saxophone found expression in the top Bourbon Street nightclubs. Here he mastered his unique style under the tutelage of notables such as Al Hirt, Pete Fountain, James Moody, Cannonball Adderly, and Dizzie Gillespie. The Tenor Sax King of New Orleans has performed for the Rat Pack at the Factory in Los Angeles, NBC Studios, Millionaires Club, Sahara Tahoe, and Las Vegas Sands. He has recorded in New Orleans, Nashville and Toronto, Canada. This 14 track, 65 minute (instrumentals and vocals) CD is recorded live in Toronto. Performing with Johnny are Robin Boers on drums and Richie "Piano Man" Ladner on keyboard and bass. Richie, like Mr. Pennino, is an inductee to the Louisiana Music Hall of Fame. Canadian music critic Joe Curtis comments on this CD, " Every note Johnny Pennino plays has a heart-felt and emotional energy. You'll never hear these classic songs done any better by anyone, anywhere, no-how! Unbelievable sax!" Enjoy!