Lisa Casalino Debuts Album, Finds Success

The Sachem community has a history of turning out a mix of current and budding celebrity figures, and Lisa Casalino is no exception. From performing the national anthem at professional sports games to preparing for the release of her debut album, the jazz standards singer/songwriter has experienced tremendous success.

Although Casalino now resides in Florida, she grew up in Holtsville and attended Waverly Elementary and the former Sagamore Junior High and South High schools. After getting her master’s degree from SUNY Potsdam’s Crane School of Music, she taught in the Potsdam area for several years before moving south to teach and establish a brand new music program at Durant High School in Plant City, Fla.

“I was up for the challenge,” said Casalino of her decision. “There were a lot of things that I had to learn along the way, but I was given full reign of what I wanted to do. I wanted to start something that would lead kids to appreciate music and to begin a tradition that would carry on.”

After ultimately deciding to focus on her music career full-time, she was offered a position as a singer at a local resort. She began to branch out, singing at nursing homes and other venues, and it was through these opportunities that she began to find her niche as a performer.

 “This was the time that I began to get into the jazz and standards music, the music from the 1940s and 1950s,” reflected Casalino. “And from there I decided to promote myself as a solo act.”

Word quickly spread of Casalino’s remarkable voice, and she now performs regularly at country clubs, restaurants and private parties. She has also left an impression on the professional sports world, singing the national anthem for the Tampa Bay Rays, Tampa Bay Lightning, New York Yankees, Toronto Blue Jays, Detroit Tigers, and as of August 27, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

She recently performed live on Florida’s Studio 10, Fox 13 and on Daytime, where co-host Lindsay MacDonald commented that Casalino’s style has led some to refer to her as “the female Michael Bublé.”

Although Casalino’s ability as a singer has been the foundation for her success, her talent doesn’t end there. She was recently hired to write an original song for a short film entitled Duplicitous Behavior that is set to appear at this year’s film festivals.

“John Pocino, the director, loved my voice and wanted me to provide a song for the soundtrack,” Casalino said. “The song is called ‘Never Looking Back,’ and it’s pop instead of jazz, something completely different.”

Sunday marks the release of Casalino’s first self-titled album, a mix of three original songs and nine jazz and standards covers that was recorded with friend and fellow musician Nate Najar at NOVA Studios in New York City.

“Everything on the album is live,” affirmed Casalino. “Nothing is synthetic or computer-programmed into it.”

Casalino will be having a release party at the Don Vicente de Ybor Historic Inn in Tampa on Sunday, and will be selling the album on iTunes, CD Baby, Amazon and her personal website at www.lisacasalino.com.

Her advice for aspiring musicians? “Be true to yourself and pursue what you really love to do. Be gracious, be humble, be friendly but be confident. There’s going to be a lot of no’s before a yes.”