Born in Long Island New York and now a resident of New Zealand, saxophonist and composer Ambrose Splescia was steeped in music from an early age. His musical roots span the east, south, and west of the US. His parents met in a church choir, his mom singing while Ambrose was still in the womb. His father Ambrose Sr., was a young Italian operatic singer who had a scholarship at the Juliard School of music in NYC , but elected to marry and raise a family instead. Ambrose's great grandfather Settanni on his Mom's side was a working musician from the lovely island of Capri Italy, where he met and fell in love with a young Irish beauty vacationing there. They married, moved to America, started a music store, a music school, and a family. So you could say music was more than just always a part of Ambrose's life. It's ingrained in his DNA. "I have absolutely no choice in the matter" laughs Ambrose. "It's what I've been programmed to do!"
The Early Years
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Baby Ambrose, harmonica (left).
Young 9 yr old Ambrose with Grandpa Albert Settanni
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Ambrose started playing at age eight. Garnering many awards as a youngster, he was playing professionally at age 12, and busy gigging at nightclubs by age 16. Heavily influenced by pop music, he developed a trademark sound at an early age. Ambrose's nickname was "Buck", and many of his old friends still know him by it. |
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The Softones |
