Exclusive Interview: Richie Cannata Talks Music

What do Billy Joel and Bernie Williams have in common?  

The iconic Long Island piano man and the former all-star centerfielder for the New York Yankees have both benefited from the considerable musical talents of Richie Cannata. Now touring with Williams and his band as a player and musical director, Cannata played the languorous sax solo on Joel's "New York State of Mind," among other memorable solos on the album, "The Stranger," recorded in the late 70s.   

Cannata's connection to Glen Cove? He is the founder and owner of Cove City Sound Studios (CCSS), tucked beneath The Metropolitan catering hall on Pratt Boulevard.

A visit there is like a walk through a hall of fame of musical greats of the last several decades. Decorating the walls are replica gold and platinum records from a range of artists, including Joel, Jennifer Lopez, Celine Dion, LL Cool J, just to name a few.   

The Studio

Recording studios have a sun-starved quality, a kind of dark womb where music is born. But darkness, after all, is where music thrives and Cannata has been on those nighttime stages from small clubs to concert halls, throughout the world, since he was young.   

"I was born in Brooklyn and studied classical piano and clarinet, then moved on to sax," he recalled as he leaned back in his chair at CCSS during a recent interview. The wall next to him was covered with autographed pictures of the biggest of stars.   

Cannata, a longtime resident of Glen Cove, connected with Joel when an engineer on one of his musical assignments suggested that Joel, who was looking for a sax player, would love his work. They met at a studio in Hempstead in 1975, formed a musical alliance and Cannata has played with Joel and his band ever since.  

The seed for the recording studio in Glen Cove was planted early. "We used to come out to Long Island to visit with my dad's family," he reminisced. "When I decided to build a recording studio, Glen Cove was the place I wanted to build it."  

In an era, when anyone with a computer can buy recording programs like Apple's Garage Band or Digidesign's Pro Tools, CCSS has set and maintains the bar way above the do-it-yourself engineers.   

"The technology has taken its toll on the art," Cannata said. "It's really sad. It's clogging the avenues for those who have the real talent." 

On the other hand, that so many modern day musical greats have come to CCSS to record is an enormous vote of confidence for the studio. Whether it's guitar-driven rock 'n roll or the stylized vocals of a Celine Dion or Mariah Carey; whether it's a vintage Fender amp or the latest in analog or digitized recording equipment, CCSS has it and can create the most sought-after sounds. The individual recording studios at CCSS are large and airy, allowing for any combination of ensemble. Engineers sit at boards with so many dials, switches and levers, it doesn't seem possible to keep track of it all.  

"Through 25 years of Grammies and Oscars, we have done it with talent, not smoke and mirrors," Cannata said. "The fact that someone like Ray Charles would come here to record is nothing short of an honor."  

The Music

Why do such artists venture all the way out to Glen Cove to record?   

"Aside from the recording capabilities available to them here, they get a lot done," Cannata explained. "They don't have the tensions, congestion, demands of New York City."   

It makes for a diverse cross-section of stars but how does an all-star like Williams make the transition from baseball to a musical career?   

"Bernie has always been a musician," Cannata said. "Throughout his baseball career, he never stopped playing guitar and he is an accomplished player."   

At a recent gig, Williams had a special guest sing a couple of tunes: Cannata's son, Eren. This musician easily qualifies as a chip off the old block, writing music, performing it and also helping develop new talent in the studio. When you've hoisted a torch as high as Cannata has, it only seems right that you know exactly where to pass it on.   

OK, so maybe the studio below The Metropolitan is not emitting any sidewalk melodies for pedestrians. Studios have that way of absorbing sounds like some kind of mysterious acoustic sponge and only squeezing out the music in those wonderful tracks that have been flowing from CCSS for so many years. Sounds that have been charming listeners for years, born here in the heart of our city.   

Cannata is slated to perform on July 31 in Village Square, adjacent to Marra's restaurant on School Street, as part of an extended musical program in the city this summer.    

"I've played at Carnegie Hall and the Sydney Opera House, but this performance is for those neighbors I may meet the next day at the deli," he said with a degree of trepidation.  

Cannata also hosts the weekly Monday Night Jam at The Bitter End in Greenwich Village. For more about this, visit myspace.com/richiecannatasmondaynightjam. For more information about CCSS, go to covecitysoundstudios.com. 

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