A pianist, composer, and arranger playing jazz clubs around Mission Valley in the mid 1980s, when the couple first met, it was love at first sight. Smoldering soul mates reconnecting, within two weeks they were engaged then later married. Since then, they have been together for twenty-eight years performing music together in perfect harmony as Roman Holiday Ensemble celebrating the joy and love of life true to their Italian-American culture, lifestyle and heritage.
Roman Holiday Ensemble based in San Diego is comprised of husband and wife team Tony DiBona, band leader and pianist, and Giovanna DiBona, lead vocalist, show producer, choreographer and costume designer.
Their high-energy musical and theatrical productions continue to delight audiences everywhere performing every type of Italian music from operatic, romantic Neapolitan, lively folk, Italian-American popular hits of the 50s, Italian jazz, Frank Sinatra, Louie Prima, Dean Martin, Italian wedding music.
The idea to start Roman Holiday Ensemble began after Giovanna received a phone call from a booking agent in Los Angeles who was searching for an Italian band with costumes and dancers to perform at a Japanese convention in Hawaii.
The call was premature as Roman Holiday had not yet formed. However, the call served as an impetus in forming the troupe. Giovanna, having lived in Bavaria previously for many years, performed in various choirs and folk dance groups in traditional costume. They discovered there was a demand for traditional ethnical Italian music and costumed dance in San Diego, so the two started to create a repertoire of songs as Giovanna assembled and created the costumes for the performers while Tony left the jazz scene.
In the meantime, both worked full-time jobs. Tony a native San Diegan born in Little Italy worked for the Navy in electronics. His parents were from Castellammare del Golfo, province of Trapani in Sicily. Giovanna was born and raised in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania and her grandparents were from Montagano, province of Campobasso in the region of Molise. Upon relocating to San Diego in the 1980s, she landed a position at the San Diego Convention and Visitors Bureau as Communications Director where she remained with the organization for twenty-eight years before retiring.
Both come from musical Italian families playing folkloric songs. As youngsters, Giovanna received classical opera training while Tony started playing piano at the age of eight when his parents bought him a piano that cost a remarkable $800 at the time. Tony later donated the same piano to the House of Italy where it remains today. They have been members of House of Italy for several years and in the past performed at the annual Lawn Program for many years.
In 2002, the band produced a national bestseller CD, “The Italian Wedding” which features all the lively and passionate songs traditionally heard at an Italian wedding reception. From the “Grand March” to the “First Dance” to the “Tarantella” and “Money Dance”, this CD is a must for any Italian bride or DJ who specializes in ethnic weddings.
Tony and Giovanna also serve as entertainment directors for the San Diego Sicilian Festival held annually in May where Roman Holiday Ensemble has performed for the last twenty years.
More information can be found on their website at www.romanholidaymusic.com.
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