Ricky Fante
Encyclopedia
Ricky Fanté is an American
R&B singer.
, Marvin Gaye
, and Stevie Wonder
. While a teen, he joined the local go-go band Junior Division and performed throughout the greater metropolitan area. He served for four years in the U.S. Marine Corps after graduating from high school, and then subsequently relocated to Los Angeles
to pursue a career in music.
A demo of his two-man group, produced by his partner ex-rocker Scott Rickett, called "Soul Surfers" fell into the hands of A&R executive Josh Deutsch, leading to a development deal in 2001. In 2002, Fanté met with Norah Jones
' collaborator Jesse Harris
, and began co-writing and recording for his debut record.
Fanté was then signed by Virgin Records
and released Rewind in July, 2004.
Fanté gained critical acclaim for the song It Ain’t Easy. The song appeared on his 2004 album, Rewind, and was performed on NBC
’s long-running late night talk and variety show, The Tonight Show with Jay Leno. Although the song was not considered a “hit,” the album garnered moderate success in the U.S. and abroad. The song reached No. #8 on Italian music charts.
Fanté’s vocal sound has been compared to Wilson Pickett
, Sam Cooke
, Al Green
and Otis Redding
. In 2005, Ricky Fanté recorded the title song Shine for the film Robots
, and the upbeat tune That’s All I Need for the HBO film Lackawanna Blues
. He has also appeared in the television series American Dream
and the successful ABC
made-for-television movie Their Eyes Were Watching God
. In the same year he duets with the Italian singer "Giorgia Todrani
" for her Mtv Unplugged.
Fanté sings in a movie that stars Dennis Quaid
and Rene Russo
titled Yours, Mine and Ours
. He sang Major Harris
’s “Love Won't Let Me Wait
” during the pivotal love scene of the movie. He also sings the theme song fot the television series Shark Tank.
He took a break from singing to return to school and he received his B.A. in Education at California State University in 2009.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
R&B singer.
Biography
Ricky Fanté studied gospel, jazz and secular soul music in Washington, DC where he was raised. His greatest musical influences were Elvis PresleyElvis Presley
Elvis Aaron Presley was one of the most popular American singers of the 20th century. A cultural icon, he is widely known by the single name Elvis. He is often referred to as the "King of Rock and Roll" or simply "the King"....
, Marvin Gaye
Marvin Gaye
Marvin Pentz Gay, Jr. , better known by his stage name Marvin Gaye, was an American singer-songwriter and musician with a three-octave vocal range....
, and Stevie Wonder
Stevie Wonder
Stevland Hardaway Morris , better known by his stage name Stevie Wonder, is an American singer-songwriter, multi-instrumentalist, record producer and activist...
. While a teen, he joined the local go-go band Junior Division and performed throughout the greater metropolitan area. He served for four years in the U.S. Marine Corps after graduating from high school, and then subsequently relocated to Los Angeles
Los Ángeles
Los Ángeles is the capital of the province of Biobío, in the commune of the same name, in Region VIII , in the center-south of Chile. It is located between the Laja and Biobío rivers. The population is 123,445 inhabitants...
to pursue a career in music.
A demo of his two-man group, produced by his partner ex-rocker Scott Rickett, called "Soul Surfers" fell into the hands of A&R executive Josh Deutsch, leading to a development deal in 2001. In 2002, Fanté met with Norah Jones
Norah Jones
Norah Jones is an American singer-songwriter and occasional actress.In 2002, she launched her solo music career with the release of the commercially successful and critically acclaimed album Come Away With Me, which was certified a diamond album in 2002, selling over 20 million copies...
' collaborator Jesse Harris
Jesse Harris
Jesse Harris is a Grammy Award winning American singer-songwriter. He has collaborated with several musical artists including Norah Jones, Melody Gardot, Madeleine Peyroux, Nikki Yanofsky, and Lizz Wright.-Early life and education:...
, and began co-writing and recording for his debut record.
Fanté was then signed by Virgin Records
Virgin Records
Virgin Records is a British record label founded by English entrepreneur Richard Branson, Simon Draper, and Nik Powell in 1972. The company grew to be a worldwide music phenomenon, with platinum performers such as Roy Orbison, Devo, Genesis, Keith Richards, Janet Jackson, Culture Club, Lenny...
and released Rewind in July, 2004.
Fanté gained critical acclaim for the song It Ain’t Easy. The song appeared on his 2004 album, Rewind, and was performed on NBC
NBC
The National Broadcasting Company is an American commercial broadcasting television network and former radio network headquartered in the GE Building in New York City's Rockefeller Center with additional major offices near Los Angeles and in Chicago...
’s long-running late night talk and variety show, The Tonight Show with Jay Leno. Although the song was not considered a “hit,” the album garnered moderate success in the U.S. and abroad. The song reached No. #8 on Italian music charts.
Fanté’s vocal sound has been compared to Wilson Pickett
Wilson Pickett
Wilson Pickett was an American R&B/Soul singer and songwriter.A major figure in the development of American soul music, Pickett recorded over 50 songs which made the US R&B charts, and frequently crossed over to the US Billboard Hot 100...
, Sam Cooke
Sam Cooke
Samuel Cook, , better known under the stage name Sam Cooke, was an American gospel, R&B, soul, and pop singer, songwriter, and entrepreneur. He is considered to be one of the pioneers and founders of soul music. He is commonly known as the King of Soul for his distinctive vocal abilities and...
, Al Green
Al Green
Albert Greene , better known as Al Green, is an American gospel and soul music singer. He reached the peak of his popularity in the 1970s, with hit singles such as "You Oughta Be With Me", "I'm Still In Love With You", "Love and Happiness", and "Let's Stay Together"...
and Otis Redding
Otis Redding
Otis Ray Redding, Jr. was an American soul singer-songwriter, record producer, arranger and talent scout. He is considered one of the major figures in soul and R&B...
. In 2005, Ricky Fanté recorded the title song Shine for the film Robots
Robots (film)
Robots is a 2005 American computer-animated comedy film produced by Blue Sky Studios for 20th Century Fox, and was released theatrically on March 11, 2005. The story was created by Chris Wedge and William Joyce, a children's book author/illustrator. The two were trying to create a film version of...
, and the upbeat tune That’s All I Need for the HBO film Lackawanna Blues
Lackawanna Blues
Lackawanna Blues is an American play written by Ruben Santiago-Hudson in 2001. It was later adapted as a television movie that aired in 2005. The play dramatizes the character of the author's primary caregiver when he was growing up in Lackawanna, New York, during the 1950s and 1960s.-Play:The...
. He has also appeared in the television series American Dream
American Dream
The American Dream is a national ethos of the United States in which freedom includes a promise of the possibility of prosperity and success. In the definition of the American Dream by James Truslow Adams in 1931, "life should be better and richer and fuller for everyone, with opportunity for each...
and the successful ABC
American Broadcasting Company
The American Broadcasting Company is an American commercial broadcasting television network. Created in 1943 from the former NBC Blue radio network, ABC is owned by The Walt Disney Company and is part of Disney-ABC Television Group. Its first broadcast on television was in 1948...
made-for-television movie Their Eyes Were Watching God
Their Eyes Were Watching God
Their Eyes Were Watching God is a 1937 novel and the best-known work by African American writer Zora Neale Hurston. Set in central and southern Florida in the early 20th century, the novel garnered attention and controversy at the time of its publication, and has come to be regarded as a seminal...
. In the same year he duets with the Italian singer "Giorgia Todrani
Giorgia Todrani
Giorgia Todrani, best known as Giorgia is an Italian female singer and song-writer, known for her soulful voice, which is aided by a wide vocal range, high belting register and great vocal abilities. She is one of the most iconic and famous Italian singers. She has released ten studio albums,...
" for her Mtv Unplugged.
Fanté sings in a movie that stars Dennis Quaid
Dennis Quaid
Dennis William Quaid is an American actor known for his comedic and dramatic roles. First gaining widespread attention in the 1980s, his career rebounded in the 1990s after he overcame an addiction to drugs and an eating disorder...
and Rene Russo
Rene Russo
- Early life :Russo was born in Burbank, California, the daughter of Shirley , a factory worker and barmaid, and Nino Russo, a sculptor and car mechanic who left the family when Rene was two. Her father and maternal grandfather were of Italian descent. Russo grew up with her sister, Toni, and their...
titled Yours, Mine and Ours
Yours, Mine and Ours (2005 film)
Yours, Mine & Ours is a 2005 film starring Dennis Quaid and Rene Russo. Directed by Raja Gosnell, it was released on November 23, 2005, and is a remake of the 1968 film of the same name, starring Lucille Ball and Henry Fonda...
. He sang Major Harris
Major Harris (singer)
Major Harris is an American R&B singer, associated with the Philadelphia soul sound.-Career:...
’s “Love Won't Let Me Wait
Love Won't Let Me Wait
"Love Won't Let Me Wait" is a 1975 single by Major Harris, a former member of R&B/soul group The Delfonics. Written by Vinnie Barrett and Bobby Eli, the single is considered to be a staple of classic soul playlists and was Harris' only entry into the top five on both the soul and pop charts...
” during the pivotal love scene of the movie. He also sings the theme song fot the television series Shark Tank.
He took a break from singing to return to school and he received his B.A. in Education at California State University in 2009.
Albums
- Soul Surfers (2002)
- Rewind (2004)