Fred Costello: A Lifetime of Nightclubs & Ballparks

"A Lifetime Of Nightclubs & Ballparks"

This biography is of jazz organist Fred Costello, who grew up in Syracuse NY, wanting to be a professional ballplayer or musician.

After 11 years on the road with his band playing Las Vegas, Frank Sinatra's Cal-Neva Lodge in Lake Tahoe, the Playboy Club in Hollywood and other venues in 40 states, he settled in Rochester NY and became a much sought after sports organist with the Rochester Red Wings. There is a chapter regarding turning down the Yankees, Mets and Phila. Flyers for the organ position.

The story takes us through his early childhood playing engagements by age 14, playing semi-pro baseball and then through 11 fun-filled interesting years in some of the top venues in the US, Canada & Mexico. There are interesting stories of mob-own nightclubs, national Radio & TV appearances and baseball subjects.

There is a mention of both Syracuse and Rochester musicians and night clubs. Also a lot of celebrity notes of those he either worked or shared the same bill with throughout the country.

This is the history of someone who wanted to be either a ballplayer or a musician and when the dust settles, he's a musician at the ballpark, with 40 interesting years in between.

The book release coincides with Fred's 34th season with the Red Wings and his appearance this year with his group at the Rochester International Jazz Festival June 14th.