Little guy gets to be a Big Shot (Newsday –Feature article / LI Life Section - March 11, 2007)
Not quite 5 feet tall, 12-year-old Michael Pollack has proven he can hold his own in the big leagues.
An accomplished pianist and songwriter, Michael has been playing with professional bands, starting with one led by Billy Joel’s saxophonist, Richie "Rico" Cannata at the Cutting Room in Manhattan on Dec. 11.
"Michael met Richie when he recorded at his Studios [Cove City Sound Studios in Glen Cove] several weeks earlier, and Richie was so taken by him that he asked him to join his band for a couple of songs," his dad, Steven Pollack, said. While tickling the ivories, Michael sang a Billy Joel song, "New York State of Mind," and Elton John’s "Your Song." "He’s extremely talented, and for someone so young, he's got an unusual taste and quest for great music," Cannata said.
Click here to read the entire review.
Not quite 5 feet tall, 12-year-old Michael Pollack has proven he can hold his own in the big leagues.
An accomplished pianist and songwriter, Michael has been playing with professional bands, starting with one led by Billy Joel’s saxophonist, Richie "Rico" Cannata at the Cutting Room in Manhattan on Dec. 11.
"Michael met Richie when he recorded at his Studios [Cove City Sound Studios in Glen Cove] several weeks earlier, and Richie was so taken by him that he asked him to join his band for a couple of songs," his dad, Steven Pollack, said. While tickling the ivories, Michael sang a Billy Joel song, "New York State of Mind," and Elton John’s "Your Song." "He’s extremely talented, and for someone so young, he's got an unusual taste and quest for great music," Cannata said.
Click here to read the entire review.
Michael Pollack Rocks The Cutting Room
Twelve year old Michael Pollack played with an All Star Band led by Billy Joel’s saxophonist Richie (Rico) Cannata on Monday evening at Midnight (12/11) as the guest of Richie.
Julio Fernandez of Spyro Gyra played lead guitar & a Who’s Who of top named musicians rounded out the band that Richie leads on Monday evenings at the Cutting Room in Manhattan on 24th St (Between Broadway & 6th Ave).
Michael met Richie when he recorded at his Studios (Cove City Studios in Glen Cove, NY) several weeks earlier & Richie was so taken by him that he asked him to join his band for a couple of songs at the Cutting Room in Manhattan on that Monday evening. Michael performed (Keyboard & Vocals) to a Billy Joel song "New York State of Mind" & Elton John’s "Your Song".
Julio Fernandez of Spyro Gyra played lead guitar & a Who’s Who of top named musicians rounded out the band that Richie leads on Monday evenings at the Cutting Room in Manhattan on 24th St (Between Broadway & 6th Ave).
Michael met Richie when he recorded at his Studios (Cove City Studios in Glen Cove, NY) several weeks earlier & Richie was so taken by him that he asked him to join his band for a couple of songs at the Cutting Room in Manhattan on that Monday evening. Michael performed (Keyboard & Vocals) to a Billy Joel song "New York State of Mind" & Elton John’s "Your Song".
When Michael was in the studio, Richie played Sax for Michael on a couple of his recordings including one of Michael’s originals "Here We Go" as Michael played on the very same piano that legends such as Billy Joel & Ray Charles played on in years past.
He took Michael for a tour of his office, filled with photos of Rock & Roll legends and Solid Gold Albums from his years of playing with Billy Joel & the Beach Boys. It was a dream come true for Michael, whose inspiration in music has always been Billy Joel. Richie joked about corrupting Michael at an early age, having him play in the city at midnight on a school night to which Michael’s response to Richie was "feel free to corrupt me anytime you want!".
He took Michael for a tour of his office, filled with photos of Rock & Roll legends and Solid Gold Albums from his years of playing with Billy Joel & the Beach Boys. It was a dream come true for Michael, whose inspiration in music has always been Billy Joel. Richie joked about corrupting Michael at an early age, having him play in the city at midnight on a school night to which Michael’s response to Richie was "feel free to corrupt me anytime you want!".