Artist description In 1965, three young men, only fourteen years of age, decided that they were truly serious about their music. Through parental guidance and sheer ambition, these three gifted musicians formed the melodious trio, We Three. Since then, the band has become one of the most sought after bands to perform and record traditional and original Italian music in the entire United States. Over the years, the band has undergone several changes while gaining popularity and recognition. They have played at numerous private and public events, including some of the country’s largest Italian festivals. The band, which now includes four performing members, although retaining the name We Three, has also released four recordings of Italian music available on CD or Cassette. We Three’s repertoire for live performances includes not only Italian music, but also a voluminous library of 40’s Big Band Era, the Popular music of Today and other ethnic and folk music.

Music Style Italian

Group Members Vito DiSalvo - leader, accordion, piano, synthesizer, and vocals Vito, an accomplished accordionist and pianist, is the originator of WE THREE. In October 1994, Mr. DiSalvo was privileged to play accordion for world renowned tenor, Luciano Pavarotti at his Pittsburgh Civic Arena concert. Vito’s background also includes involvement in concert bands, symphonic orchestras, jazz bands, electronic music, and commercial music. Vito is a nationally acclaimed composer and arranger and owner of Mifflin Hills Music Co., a publishing, recording, and production company. After graduating from Duquesne University with a B.S. degree in music education, he went on to obtain his Master’s Degree in Theory/Composition from the University of Miami. He currently serves as Music Department Head for West Mifflin Area School District where he also teaches music technology. Greg Grenek, soprano, alto, tenor saxophones, flute, clarinet, percussion, & vocals Greg Grenek is a native of Butler, Pennsylvania. During his early years as a music student, Mr. Grenek studied Saxophone with Salvatore Signorino and while a student at Duquesne University where he earned his Bachelor Degree in Music Education, he studied Saxophone with Nestor Koval. Mr. Grenek spent six years as Drum Major for the General Butler Vagabonds Drum and Bugle Corps and is a charter member of that organization. While at Butler High School, he conducted the Musical production GEORGE M. and won the John Philip Sousa Award his senior year. Greg played Lead Alto Sax for the Balcony Big Band for ten years and played for such artists as: The Shirelles, Temptations, Al Martino, Leslie Gore, Lou Christy, Martha and the Vandellas, Don Rickles, and the Mills Brothers. Currently Mr. Grenek teaches privately in the North Hills Area and performs with the Pittsburgh based group WE THREE. Mr. Grenek has been with WE THREE for nearly twenty years performing on all eight of the group's albums. In addition to playing Soprano, Alto, and Tenor Saxophones, Mr. Grenek also plays Flute, Clarinet, Percussion, and is a Vocalist with the group. Ernie Pontiere - lead vocals, trombone After a two-year tour as vocalist for the LETTERMEN, Ernie joined WE THREE in May 1992. Before that, Ernie toured with the FOUR COINS, spent several years in Los Angeles as a studio musician and vocalist and was a member of the Pittsburgh based band, GIGOLO. In addition to outstanding vocals, Ernie also contributes his strong instrumental background as a trombonist and keyboardist. After attending Berkley School of Music in Boston and graduating from Edinboro University with a B.S. degree in Music Education, Ernie now teaches Choral Music at North Allegheny High School where he has earned countless awards for his choral groups. Jamie Wright - acoustic and electric guitars, vocals Jamie Wright joined the group in August of 1997. He has performed with several bands in the Pittsburgh/Tri-State area in the past twenty years. Jamie brings his talent as a guitarist and vocalist to We Three giving the already diverse band an even greater range of musical styles. Jamie can be heard on a few songs on the Buona Festa! album. Ray DeFade, Jr. - drums, percussion, vocals Ray DeFade is the newest member of We Three having joined the group in December 1999. Ray started playing drums professionally at age 16 working with local jazz and pop artists. In 1984, he began playing with jazz saxophone great Eric Kloss. In 1987, he moved to Nashville, and in addition to playing on various recording sessions, he worked for four years on Opryland's General Jackson Showboat. Ray was formerly an Atlantic Record recording artist with "The Gathering Field" (1994-1999). He has performed with virtually every jazz and blues artist in the Pittsburgh area, as well as nationally known artists such as Louise Mandrell, Brenda Lee and jazz legend Dave Leibman. Ed Dukstein - chief audio engineer A graduate of the University of Miami with a degree in Music Engineering Technology, Ed has been with the band for seven years. To his credit, Ed has toured internationally for two years with GLORIA ESTEFAN and MIAMI SOUND MACHINE, and engineered WE THREE’S Eh Cumpari!, Salute! and Champagne albums. In addition to his work with WE THREE, Ed is an audio engineer at Production Masters Inc. (PMI) in Pittsburgh, one of the largest facilities for commercial and industrial music and video in the tri-state area. Tim Milko - keyboard technician and assistant audio engineer Tim is completing his bachelors degree at Duquesne University School of Music as a sound recording engineer major. Tim is also a guitarist and performer.

Location Pittsburgh, PA - USA

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