Jimmy Alleva - Biography and Links

Jimmy Alleva is a gifted tenor with a style similar to the distinguished voices of Andrea Bocelli and Mario Lanza. Alleva is creating a buzz, particularly in the tri-state area where after every performance he leaves the audience standing on their feet and wanting more.

Although Alleva has casually been singing since the late nineties, he just recently decided to focus on his career and record Love & Romance, his debut album he released independently in the summer of 2008.

“Love & Romance means everything to me because it is my first release,” stated Alleva. “O Sole Mio and Torna A Surriento are two of my all time favorite songs, so I felt it was important to include them on this album along with several other timeless classics that are my interpretation of what love and romance means. I truly hope that my voice brings people joy and happiness, and that it compels them to reflect about all of the good in their lives.”

Jimmy Alleva grew up in Queens, New York, the middle child of three brothers. He fondly recalls his quality time spent with Nicholas Jr., Philip and parents, Roseann and Nicholas. As a family the Alleva’s took great pleasure listening to Italian music legends such as Jimmy Roselli, Sergio Franchi and Mario Lanza. It was at an early age when Jimmy discovered his love for this beautiful music. The Alleva family was a musical household. Nicholas Jr. was a well known Italian singer from their neighborhood and Philip was a bass player who performed in many local great bands. Jimmy’s adoration of Italian music runs deep within the Alleva blood. For as long as he could remember, every Saturday his family would go to their grandfathers butcher shop. While there, Jimmy’s grandfather would encourage him and his brothers to learn many Neapolitan songs. His grandfather would pay him and his brother’s five dollars for each song they learned. That was a fun incentive for the boys, and in turn they each learned classics such as: Tazza‘ é Café, Senza MammaE Nnamurate, Mala Femmina. It was a great time for the entire Alleva family.

As a young adult, Jimmy would always attend the Our Lady of Mount Carmel, A Festa Di Giglio in Williamsburg, Brooklyn. This feast features an 85 foot tall structure with Saint Paulinus on top. In addition to the Giglio, a boat is danced to symbolize the rescue and return of Saint Paulinus to Nola Italy. The two structures feature a singer and a band which sit on top of the structures as they are lifted. When the Nolani immigrants settled in Brooklyn, NY they brought this old tradition to our shores for us to celebrate annually.

In 1996 Jimmy’s brother Nicholas Jr. passed away. This was a difficult time for the entire family. Nicholas was a tremendous inspiration in Jimmy’s life. It was during that time Jimmy felt it was the right moment to carry on his brother’s tradition and began singing at the Giglio Feast. This was his opportunity to participate in something he loved to do and keep the memory of his brother alive. Each year this experience holds a very special place in Jimmy’s heart.

In addition to his numerous appearances through-out the tri-state area and Massachusetts, he is a regular guest on the radio station WTCC 90.7FM Springfield MA, on the popular radio show “LA Dolce Vita” which broadcasts throughout the New England area every Sunday morning and he is also featured on the Uncle Floyd show every Sunday morning on WRTN 93.5FM broadcast out of New Rochelle NY.

“Love & Romance is a true representation of who I am and my Italian heritage,” stated Alleva. “My wish is for my voice to inspire people to believe in themselves and believe in others; growing up my parents always told me and my brothers to follow our dreams, and I feel that this is my opportunity to do just that.”

When Alleva is not performing he enjoys spending time with his family, working out in the gym and skiing. Jimmy Alleva resides in Central, New Jersey with his wife Dorothy.