Musician Dreams of Publishing Italian Song Book

“Although I have been busy writing about traveling around the globe, I have been getting arrangements to put together an Italian Gig Book,” said piano player Tony Di Bona. He, and vocalist wife Giovanna, run Roman Holiday Music. “We do weddings, festivals and themed parties, just to name a few,” said the Italian-American who is a native of San Diego. 

 

Mrs. Di Bona doubles as an editor and photographer for 10-Best Travel Media Group at USA Today. The couple travel all over the globe, then come home, edit their photos and put together travel writings when they are not involved with their music gig.

 

Di Bona’s father was one of the original cadre of fishermen that settled in San Diego in its early development.

 

“The sea has always been a passion of mine,” recalled Di Bona, adding, “being surrounded by a fishing family, I was quickly fascinated by the prospect of joining the seafarers of our community.” When his uncle Leo D’Angelo asked if the young Di Bona wanted to join him on the Dante, the 13-year-old Di Bona was “absolutely thrilled to go to sea and join the summer fishing crews.” This adventurous fascination lasted until he was 19-years-old. Although uncle encouraged the young Di Bona, father advised against it.

 

“My first and lasting experience with music was when I was 8-years-old,” recalled Di Bona, who took piano lessons from maestro Lou Salerno, the neighborhood music master. “Music has always been a major part of my life since my early launce into my side career,” but his passion for music has persisted since. “Through the years I have been performing with several bands arranging music from big band swing to jazz groups.

 

“I also had a good tinkering sense with electronics and soon began a career in the technical electronics field at North Island Naval Station employed by the Department of defense,” mused Di Bona, recalling his eight year diversion from his music. But even while stationed for eight years on the island of Guam, he managed to join a “wonderful quintet called The Islanders.”

 

Upon his return to his native home of San Diego, he got back into music again and joined a variety band that played swing and disco music. 

 

“We were called Friends Limited,” and friends they were as some of them still perform with Di Bona in his Roman Holiday ensemble. “I also performed for four years at one of San Diego’s famous jazz clubs, The Black Frog, “ Di Bona fondly remembers. “ It is no longer in existence and was bulldozed in 1988.”

 

As a native San Diegan, Di Bona was born in December of ’39 at 2363 Columbia Street, Di Bona married his lovely wife and they had their reception in what is today known as Mimmo’s. After their marriage they were eager to combine their talents and promote Italian musical culture. That was when they formed the Roman Holiday Ensemble, which has persisted until today. Although they became quite successful in festivals in Boston, Chicago, Los Angeles, Pittsburg and Florida, the couple’s roots were in San Diego where they returned and have stayed.

 

“We have produced a studio quality collection of popular songs heard at Italian weddings,” said the musician. “And our Roman Holiday ensemble is still performing for festivals and themed corporate events right here in San Diego.”

 

Being of Sicilian parents, Di Bona became quickly involved with Little Italy’s Festival Siciliano, providing music at each year’s festivities. He recalled that the organization was an efficient business model with directors for entertainment, production, volunteers, vendors and executive direction. 

 

“The events attendance quickly rose to approximately 80,000 attendees annually,” said Di Bona.