version, ever since he heard Davis sing it on a TV special in the early ’70s. “I’m Not Anyone,” by Paul Anka, was included because of Van Aro’s fascination with the Sammy Davis, Jr.
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With Gianni providing an irresistible rhythmic and harmonic foundation, Van Aro displays the full breadth of his musical story-telling ability to illuminate the essence of each of the songs in the Obsession program. The results showcase the multi-layered depths of Van Aro’s skills as an interpretive artist. Reminiscent at times of Caterina Valente’s convincing mastery of jazz and Brazilian-driven music, it includes five tracks – “I’m Not Anyone,” “Since I Fell For You” “Rain” “Ordinary Fool” and “Obsession” - in which he is backed by the sole accompaniment of the brilliant Italian jazz pianist Fabio Gianni. Obsession, however, leans more in the direction of contemporary, jazz-tinged song. Over the past two decades, numerous Van Aro recordings preceded Obsession. Their remarkable diversity reflected his fascination with a colorful range of styles and genres embracing jazz, pop, rock, house, lounge, rap, world music and more. A few years later, he was cast in the role of Captain Von Trapp in the Swiss production of the classic Rodgers & Hammerstein musical, The Sound of Music. The net result was a cosmopolitan upbringing that prepared him – creatively, linguistically and personally – for his musical and artistic ambitions.īy the early ’90s, Van Aro’s career had developed to the point where he was fully prepared to introduce himself to major European audiences via his self-conceived show, Freunde-Amici-Friends. My father spoke German, and the nanny we had spoke French.” Add to that his exposure to English during the periods when the family was living in London. “My mother,” says Van Aro, “spoke Italian to me as a child. Growing up with parents whose booking obligations took them all over the world, Van Aro was primarily raised in Switzerland and London. His father, Erik Van Aro, Sr., is a German juggler and producer. His mother is the great European singing star, Caterina Valente. He came by his various skills via the gifts of his lineage, as the descendant of a family of musicians and artists reaching back eight generations.
Multi-skilled Eric Van Aro combines his impressive singing with his activities as a producer, as a European radio and television personality, and as the founder of his recording and production company, Eraki Entertainment. Singer/songwriter/producer Eric Van Aro’s Obsession EP is scheduled to be released on October 18, the latest in dozens of recordings Van Aro has released, many on his Switzerland-based record company, Eraki. An adventurous performer, Eric Van Aro is releasing his latest recording, Obsession