"Ten years ago Vic Cionetti was a well known name in Denver jazz circles. A highly talented saxophonist and composer, and a personable guy as well, Vic took a sabbatical from the club and performing scene. But when he plays the sax you can tell the music runs deep within his soul. Whatever the reasons for his decade-long sabbatical, it has paid off with the ignition of a fresh flame of creativity.

Such intense creativity can only be held inside for so long. And Vic's fans never let up asking him to produce more of what they had come to love - Vic's haunting melodies, high energy arrangements, pulsating rhythms and Brazilian seasoned style. So this year Vic released a new CD titled Simpatico and has been pleasantly surprised with its success - the title track is getting heavy play on over 100 stations nations-wide. (Significant kudos to KUVO for helping bring Mr. Cionetti to the Gothic Theater on Dec. 10, 2000.)

The stage was crowded with musicians and instruments when Vic walked carefully between them to the mike up front, while the assembled jazz aficionados furnished spirited accolades. After a brief talk and thanks to the fans, Vic launched the first tune on a somber note full of shadows and light that slowly grew and brightened until it was as warm and full of sunshine as the beach in Mazatlan. That tune was Love in the Sun, track eight from the CD.

She's Sooo Cool! came next, which is an easy, slinky tune that reminds you of a day spent walking in the sun somewhere you love to be without a care in the world.

As the show continued, the mood of the music filled the room with a heady atmosphere. There were 15 artists on stage, 16 when guest vocalist Natalie Rene stepped onto the stage, prefacing her contribution to the band's performance of Simpatico with "His music does something to a girl's hips," and a wiggle.

Another special guest, who came all the way from Maryland to play, was former Denverite Gary Sosias. I met Gary at the Tito Puente show early this year when he returned to provide lead vocals for local favorites Conjunto Colores. I was quite impressed with his singing talents, but this time he came to set the drums on fire. I would never have guessed this talented singer might also be a superb Latin percussionist.

Another player of note was Randy Chavez, who you will usually see playing locally with Opie Gone Bad. An accomplished rock guitarist, playing with Vic allowed Randy to reveal the sparkle off another of his creative facets.

One song they performed, the nine-minute long Mendoza from Simpatico, was so grand in its breadth and scope that I imagine it's the kind of music you might have heard at an illustrious affair of state for someone like Julius Caesar or Alexander the Great.

Another sheer delight was the number titled You Better Cut That Out, which is not one of the tracks on Simpatico.

Welcome back Vic Cionetti, and please refrain from hiding your light under a bushel ever again. There are a good many souls in the world who dearly need your illumination."

- Don Bain, La Voz Hispana de Colorado