MINI BIOGRAPHY
Tamela D’Amico was born in New York and spent her childhood between there and the Gulf Coast of Florida. This young phenom is what she likes to call a "multi-hyphenate artist" (singer/actress/filmmaker ), currently living in Los Angeles. Her native East Coast roots and love of the jazz age have instilled in her a love of theatrical performance, which has crossed over to many mediums.
Tamela studied at the Lee Strasberg Theatre Institute run by David Lee Strasberg who also is credited as one of the Executive Producers on her film "Volare". In addition, she has studied privately in Allan Miller’s Master’s Class (former students: Meryl Streep, Barbra Streisand, Dustin Hoffman) and is a former student and teacher’s assistant for Larry Gold’s Master Class in Los Angeles. She was one of 16 students accepted to the competetive and internationally renowned Film School at Florida State University and received a BFA in Film with minors in Music, Theater, Psychology, and Religion.
Although mostly spending her time performing in front of an audience, Tamela first made strides behind the camera. As a much coveted Independent Producer of several Award winning short films, Tamela is no stranger to the festival circuit. Her most recent production, of which she wrote, produced, directed, and appears briefly includes "Volare," the winner of the Los Angeles Italian Film Award’s Best Screenplay Award. Tamela raised independent funds to create Volare starring Federico Castelluccio (The Sopranos), which has swept the top prizes ( Best Film, Best Director, Best Cinematography ) at several film festivals, most notably, in January 2006 at The American Film Renaissance Film Festival held at the legendary Graumanns Chinese Theatre in Hollywood.
The American Film Renaissance Film Festival bestowed the film with a Best Short Film award and screened it in front of The Anthony Hopkins release "The World’s Fastest Indian" at the legendary Graumann’s Chinese Theater in Hollywood, CA. Critics praised this film by bestowing other awards at many other festivals (see blog for an up to date list). This film has become a vehicle to launch her as someone to watch in Hollywood, as she has been chosen as one of top 24 semi-finalist selected from all over the World (12,000 submissions) by Steven Spielberg and Mark Burnett for the new FOX series "On the Lot", which aired May 22nd. Tamela now has a first look deal with Dreamworks SKG.
A scene from "Volare" - Federico Castellucio stars as Paolo BonGiovanni with Hristo Ivanov (Cenzo BonGiovanni)-photo by Alex Abercrombie
Early on, director Frank Capra’s biography taught her, "Films are like propaganda, you have to be careful about what you are saying." Believing that phrase translates to all art, Tamela states that presentation and perspective are important to all things. Her favorite films are "It’s A Wonderful Life," "Breakfast at Tiffany’s," and "Life Is Beautiful." Story is very important to her as well as character. She is a storyteller in her acting, in her music, and in her directing. Frank Capra, Giuseppe Tornatore, and Chris Columbus are inspirations as directors who are true storytellers, championing the little man and really diving in to tell his story.
Federico Castelluccio, Ronnie Marmo, and Ryan Fox in a bakery scene from "Volare."
In addition to her filmmaking endeavors, Tamela can be heard across the land. Radio Distributors, ClearChannel Entertainment and RadioDeluxe, have championed her as a bright new artist to watch. Like Michael Buble, Peter Cincotti, and Jane Monheit, she is in short, a throw back to another era. Her debut, The Tamela D’Amico Album is Executive Produced by Actor/Producer Peter Krause (Six Feet Under, Dirty Sexy Money), Produced by Jimmy Hoyson (GRAMMY Winner) and Arranged and Conducted by Chris Walden (GRAMMY nominee).
Why this style of music? There is an old saying..."One doesn’t choose to sing jazz, it chooses you." Her first musical influence was Judy Garland - as a child, Tamela loved watching Garland’s vintage television specials on "NY’s Nostalgia Network." Other influences for Tamela’s love of blues and jazz include Ella Fitzgerald, Billie Holiday, Nina Simone, Keeley Smith, Stevie Wonder, Sarah Vaughan and Bobby Darin. The Tamela D’Amico Album is now avail on cdbaby.com, itunes, etc.,
BUY IT ON
what are they saying?
what are they saying?
"Tamela D’Amico represents the finest of the new generation of singers to
embrace the Great American Songbook. Tamela takes these great songs and makes them her own, giving them her contemporary interpretations while maintaining the integrity of the music. And she does it with style!
She’s got it all: the voice, the look, the presentation. Simply DeLuxe!"
~Don McCulloch, Program Director
KSUR Los Angeles President - Radio DeLuxe
"With a lush voice, lyrical phrasings and sumptuous orchestral arrangements, Tamela brings these standards to life and makes them her own."
~Holly Foster-Wells
President, Peggy Lee Enterprises
www.PeggyLee.com
"Through musical history, certain people were destined to perform a certain style of song. Mick Jagger was born to rock. Bing Crosby’s destiny was to croon. Buck Owens was meant to twang. From the first time we watched her perform, it was clear Tamela D’Amico was sent to this earth to swing, sway and swoon. Actually, after listening to her debut CD,..I’m convinced it is..those of us fortunate enough to hear her music who will do the majority of the swinging, swaying and swooning."
~ Brad Chambers
Chief Creative Officer
The Standard Media Corp
Listen Online at http://www.martiniinthemorning.com
Currently, Tamela can be seen and heard singing on the soundtrack in her own fil stan Carrasco; Tamela is set to direct.
Click this link to view Tamela on IMDB.com
Visit Tamela D’Amico and her film VOLARE - ON THE LOTThe Official Tamela D’Amico Website-Click HereBuy The Tamela D’Amico Album
All inquiries :
Michael H. Golland Rosen Feig Golland & Lunn, LLP 9454 Wilshire Boulevard Suite 850 Beverly Hills, CA 90212 Phone: (310) 275-0562 Fax: (310) 275-0563 Mobile: (310) 487-1041 Website: www.rfgllaw.com E-Mail: [email protected]