Music, Rock and Roll, Food and Romance, Opera


Let's Talk and Let's Travel! with Catherine M. Perebinossoff and her guests, Jerry Solomon, Author, Artist, Caterer, etc., and Marc A. Scorca, President and CEO of Opera America, the National Service Organization for Opera. What could be better than music, food, and romance? Music-as-Food and vice versa. Rock and Roll vs. Opera OR Rock and Roll and Opera?







Guests

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Jerry Solomon, Author, Cook, Writer, Artist, Owner of a Catering Business, Recording Engineer


Romance, music, good looks and knowledge of food...When Jerry came to New York City in 1970, these charms called to young Manhattan women. His sojourn began with a job in the Fulton Fish Market; then as a waiter in a busy singles bar, perfect for meeting women. Jerry's passion was music, so he got a job as a "go-for" in a recording studio and learned how to record music. Soon he was assisting the pros and booking his own sessions – enough to stop ‘waiting'.

Jerry was living on East 53rd Street in Manhattan, searing steaks on a makeshift grill on the rooftop. He would cook for his girl friends, enticing them with his dimples, his intelligence, his rock and roll lifestyle AND his ability to whip up great tasting meals.

Throughout the 70's and 80's, Jerry recorded great artists such as Joni Mitchell, Cameo, Peter Frampton, Ruben Blades, The Weather Girls, etc., and worked in such studios as the famed Electric Lady, a recording studio originally built by Jimi Hendrix, in New York City's Greenwich Village. During this time Jerry cooked at home and for many people, always saying there's no difference between recording and cooking – it's all about mixing.

Shifting direction with "What's on the Grill?" a New York City street festival booth, in the early 90's, Jerry developed a catering company which evolved into "Sky Top", an eastside rooftop club. It was around that time (1997) that he was offered the position of Executive Director of Dining for Good Housekeeping Magazine and the Hearst Corporation's private dining room. He found himself back in the world of celebrities, this time providing world class cuisine and service to magazines such as Harper's Bazaar, Esquire, Cosmo, Marie Claire, etc. Guests included First Ladies Hillary Clinton and Laura Bush, as well as Bette Midler, Sharon Stone, Donald Trump, Oprah Winfrey and many more.

In 2004, Jerry and his family moved to Southern California, where he runs his catering company, writes books, A Man's Guide To Food As Foreplay: How To Invite Romance Into Your Life, and is preparing for a first show of his paintings and fountains.

Jerry Solomon may be contacted at Solo254@aol.com, jerry@thefluidarts.com, and foodasforeplay@aol.com









Marc A. Scorca, President and CEO
OPERA America


Since 1990, and as the President and CEO of OPERA America, the National Service Organization for Opera, Marc A. Scorca is responsible for the strategic leadership and the management of the entire organization. In less than twenty years, the OPERA America membership has grown from 120 opera companies to nearly 2,500 organizations and individuals. An additional 16,000 subscribers now receive a variety of free and fee-based services.

A strong advocate of collaboration, Marc has led several cross-disciplinary projects, including the Performing Arts Research Coalition, National Music Coalition, and The First National Performing Arts Convention. Under his leadership, OPERA America has administered two landmark funding initiatives in support of the development of North American operas and opera audiences and launched a $20 million endowment effort in 2000 to create a permanent fund dedicated to supporting new works and audience development activities. The establishment of the Information and Research Service, Artistic Service, and Trustee/Volunteer programs has expanded service to the entire field.

OPERA America’s relocation from Washington, D.C. to New York City in December 2005 has increased communication and collaboration with and among members both locally and nationally. OPERA America supported the establishment of affiliated Opera.ca (Toronto) and Opera Europa (Brussels) and works closely with both organizations. Marc has led strategic planning retreats for opera companies and other cultural institutions internationally. He has participated on panels for federal, state, and local funding agencies, as well as for numerous private organizations. Marc also appears frequently in the media on a variety of cultural issues.

He attended Amherst College in Massachusetts, graduating with high honors in both history and music.

Marc A. Scorca may be contacted at info@operaamerica.org