Description

🎶 Pete Caldera — jazz vocalist, Yankees beat writer, and interpreter of Frank Sinatra–style standards — shares a remarkable journey shaped by music, mentorship, and purpose.

In this episode, Pete reflects on discovering the Great American Songbook, growing up immersed in Sinatra, opera, and classic American music, and finding his voice later in life through live performance. From spontaneous piano-bar moments with the legendary Kitty Daniels at Donatello Italian Restaurant in Tampa, Florida, to performing classic Sinatra arrangements at the iconic Carnegie Club in New York City, Pete’s story is a testament to passion, perseverance, and honoring musical legacy.

Pete also discusses:

• Writing for the Bergen Record / NorthJersey.com while traveling with the New York Yankees
• The influence of mentors including Kitty Daniels, Stan Rubin, and vocal coach John Mace
• Performing with big bands and authentic Sinatra-era arrangements
• What it truly means to “owe the audience a good performance”
• Lessons learned from live music, journalism, and creative risk
• Singing on The Late Show with Stephen Colbert after running the NYC Marathon
• Why timeless music still matters today

This conversation is about more than jazz — it’s about finding purpose, saying yes to opportunity, and carrying forward the legacy of artists who came before us.

🎤 Perfect for fans of Frank Sinatra, jazz standards, live music, storytelling, and inspiring creative journeys.