"Tributo A Nick La Rocca" (Nick LARocca Tribute
Concert)
25-27 Agosto 2000 (August 25-27, 2000)
In the summer of 2000 a concert was presented in the town of Partanna, Sicily
in Italy. This was an outdoor concert in the courtyard of an ancient castle
built in 1658 called Castello Medioevale. The event was organized by Calogero
"Jerry" Marrali and
Loredana
Melodia through the L'Associazione Culturale "Charlie Parker and Regione
Siciliana, Assessorato Beni Culturali, Ambientali e P.I.
Partanna is only a few miles from the town of Salaparuta, Sicily which is the
town that Jimmy LaRocca's grandfather (Dominic James "Nick" LaRocca's
father) came from.
In Salaparuta they have a beautiful marble concert hall named the "Nick
LaRocca Concert Hall" where one of three bronze busts of Nick LaRocca is on
display. (Another is on display in New Orleans at the Old US Mint - Louisiana
State jazz Museum)
This region is breathtaking with spectacular vineyards, olive groves and
rolling hills. It is also only 30 minutes away from the coast where beautiful
beaches and green water await visitors.
Here are a few photos of the region and concert:
Mayor's office - Salaparuta
(L-R: Father Baldassare Graffagnino, Jimmy LaRocca & Mayor of Salaparuta;
Signor Michele Saitta)
Mayor's office - Salaparuta
(L-R: David Hansen, Claudio Lo Ciscio, Mayor of Salaparuta; Signor Michele
Saitta & Jimmy LaRocca)
Jimmy LaRocca & Mayor of Salaparuta; Signor Michele Saitta
In the Mayor's office looking over a book with some history on the
LaRocca family.
SALAPARUTA
IERI E OGGI '92 (Salaparuta In The Past And Nowadays 1992)
Author; Father Baldassare
Graffagnino (Born In Salaparuta Jan. 1, 1923)
(L-R: Father Baldassare Graffagnino, Jimmy LaRocca, Loredana
Melodia & Mayor of Salaparuta; Signor Michele Saitta) (Link
to More information on this book)
One side of the guests attending the "Nick LaRocca Tribute
Festival.
Castello Medioevale in Partanna, Sicily, Italy. (photo: Jimmy LaRocca!)
Entrance into the courtyard of Castello Medioevale (built in
1658) where the "Nick LaRocca Tribute Festival" took place. (Photo:
Walter Mistretta)
Jimmy LaRocca & Mayor of Salaparuta; Signor Michele Saitta
standing with the bronze bust of Jimmy's father, Dominic James "Nick"
LaRocca in the Nick LaRocca Concert Hall - Salaparuta, Sicily.
The ruins of "Old" Salaparuta.
"The town, founded in medieval times, was completely destroyed by
earthquake in January of 1968." Father Baldassare Graffagnino of
Salaparuta
(Link to More
information)
The rolling hills (vineyards) of Salaparuta, Sicily, Trapani,
Italy
