Hauppauge Native Brings Big Band Swing to Nesconset

Hauppauge High School alumnus Jerry Costanzo plans to steal the spotlight at at 7:30 p.m. Tuesday.

Costanzo will be joined by a nine-piece swing band in bringing the sounds of the Great American Songbook, featuring Frank Sinatra, Jerry Vale, Perry Como, Nate Cole and others, to the Nesconset gazebo.

“My heart has always been in jazz and Big Band swing,” Costanzo said.

Costanzo said he started performing music at an early age, playing saxophone in his father’s Big Band called The Memories of Swing in 1985. It wasn’t until years later he discovered his voice and passion for singing.

“It wasn’t until my mid-30s when I started singing. I won a karaoke contest at a sales seminar one know,” he said.

Costanzo said he sang along to Sinatra’s “Fly Me to the Moon” with the encouragement of a co-worker.

“I was petrified to get up in front of people and sing like that,” the singer said.

The experienced opened a new door for Costanzo. He released his first CD titled “Destination Moon” in 2008 featuring covers of Fred Astaire’s “Cheek to Cheek” and Sinatra’s “Come Fly with Me” and of course, “Fly Me To the Moon.”

“I coined a phrase, ‘Bringing the American Song Book into the 21st century’,” he said.

The singer released his second CD titled “Can’t We Be Friends” this May, with a mix of Big Band songs from the 1930s to 60s. Songs include “Love Me or Leave Me” originally by Nina Simone and some original works.

“It has the feel of something from the 40s, 50s, and 60s but all original arrangements of my own interpretations from original standards,” Costanzo said.

His performance on Tuesday will include songs from his two CDs as well as Great American SongBook tunes.

More than 2,500 residents attended That 70's Band performance at the Nesconset Free Concert Series, sponsored by the Nesconset Chamber of Commerce and Legis. John Kennedy Jr., R-Nesconset, on July 26. Be sure to arrive early to avoid traffic and get a front row seat.

Attendees are asked to bring canned food or non-perishable food items to donate to Long Island Cares food bank, which will be on site to collect donations.

The Nesconset gazebo is located next door to the Nesconset branch of the Smithtown Special Library District at 148 Smithtown Boulevard, Nesconset.