Every now and then you come across a voice that catches your attention. It may be its skillful technique or soulful authenticity that catches your ear. All you know is that you’re captivated, moved, soothed, inspired. Voices like that are rare in our climate of teenaged popstars and prepackaged celebrities. But, then again . . . you’ve probably never heard Italian vocalist, Charles Di Raimondo.
Charles Di Raimondo is a voice to listen to and a name to watch. As a singer, composer, arranger and performer, he has uncanny ability. A classically trained singer/songwriter/pianist, Charles’ talent and versatility are evident as he sings in an array of genres: from opera to pop, from jazz to rock. His busy music career has brought him to many venues in Canada, USA, and Europe.
Charles has recently performed the lead tenor role of “The Duke” from the Opera ”Rigoletto” and the lead role of “Turriddu” from the Opera ”Cavalleria Rusticana”. Other performances include “La Traviata” and “Carmen” under the direction of Mr. Dwight Bennett for the “Opera Mississauga Company” and was also one third of the singing group “Canadian Three Tenors”. Charles performs regularly at large events and continues to please audiences of all ages with his powerful vocal style and dynamic stage presence.
Singing comes naturally to Charles. Born into a musical family in Brooklyn, New York, Charles can trace his love of music back to his grandfather and Uncle Charles. “I was young,” Charles recalls, “I remember our big family gatherings in Hamilton, where there was music all around. Everyone would take turns singing or playing an instrument. There was a genuine love of music in the air. I remember how my grandfather would stand on a table and sing a passionate operatic aria and everyone would applaud wildly. I can trace my love of singing back to his performances. My Grandfather was a singer back in Sicily. He and my Uncle Charles, who composes, sings and plays guitar and mandolin, were big musical influences on me as I grew up. They encouraged me to sing and play the guitar.”
Shortly after high school, Charles discovered the intoxicating tunes of Miles Davis and John Coltrane. During his time in college, where he studied arranging and composition, he became thoroughly immersed in Jazz and worked with many musicians and groups in the Hamilton area. Charles started to compose in that magical genre, and recorded his first piece, “Midnight Mist”, a funky jazz number featuring his dynamic piano prowess. But Charles’ singing remained an important cornerstone of his musicianship and trained with several great voice teachers including the world renowned Tenor Maestro Goffredo Ricci.
His first self-written and recorded album, “Tonight Will Be”, was released in 1989. It received extensive airplay on radio stations across Canada and the music video was on heavy rotation on MuchMusic. “The Arias”, a classical operatic album released in 2000, followed the success of “Tonight Will Be”. Staying true to his Italian roots, Charles released an Italian single, “Amore Mio”, in 2003.
Charles most recently released his first full-length jazz album, “Summer Rain”, in early 2005. His most recent release (February 2007) is entitled “Arias And Serenades”, a new collection of Classical vocal repertoire accompanied by “Jose Hernandez” on piano.
As an establish composer, lyricists and arranger, Charles was a staff composer for Monogram Records Montreal. He continues to write, record and produce music of all styles in his digital recording studio CD PRODUCTIONS. Most recently, Charles has written and produced songs of different styles for other Canadian artists including: “I’ll Be Loving You” for France Joli’s debut album, and the dance hit “I’m So High On You” for Donna Robbins. He has recently produced a CD for the young “R&B singer”Tiffany Costa”.
As leader of his own jazz group, he has performed in numerous concerts and has been featured on CityTV, Channel 11, Telelatino Television Station, and Chin Radio and Television. Charles has written and sung several jingles for commercials and most recently sung for a commercial for Ontario Tourism. Charles’ musicianship can also be seen in Showtime’s “Last Call” starring Jeremy Irons, Sissy Spacek and Neve Campbell, Sony’s “Martin and Lewis” with Sean Hayes and Jeremy Northam, and HBO’s “Soul Food”. Three songs from his latest jazz CD entitled “Summer Rain” have found their way in the movie soundtrack ”How Do Get A Date In Queens” starring “Jason Alexander” and “Ron Perlman”.
With a Bachelor of Arts from York University, Charles specialized in jazz and classical piano, arrangement and composition. He later pursued a Bachelor of Education from Brock University that has enabled him to share his love of music as a music educator for the Peel Board of Education and the Merriam School of Music. Charles is a member of the Alliance of Canadian Cinema, Television and Radio Artists (ACTRA), and a member of the Toronto Musicians’ Association (Local 149).
Charles and his wife, Pamela, currently live in Brampton with their two young sons, Adrian and Julian. When he is not in the studio, or taking his sons to Tae Kwon Do practices, Charles can be found playing hockey and soccer, and cooking up his savory “ribs and steaks” on the barbeque.