Jerry Vivino was the son of Emily and Jerry Vivino Sr., on January 8, 1954 in Paterson, New Jersey. The Vivino family was a constant source of music and art throughout Jerry’s childhood, and into his teens. Jerry was influenced by his parents and was exposed to Miles Davis, Louis Armstrong, Charlie Parker, Dinah Washington, Frank Sinatra, and Ella Fitzgerald. Floyd Vivino, his older brother, loved Louie Prima as well as great swing and jump music from the 30’s to the 40’s and 50’s. Jerry discovered that he liked listening to many types of music. He even enjoyed symphonic music. His favorite composers were Debussy, Stravinsky and Leonard Bernstein. He tried to learn guitar at the tender age 7 but failed. (That would have been reserved for another family member). His third grade teacher gave him a recorder for soprano at the age of nine. Within two or three weeks, he was proficient with the instrument. His parents noticed his progress and Jerry began clarinet lessons at the age of 10. He was able to quickly learn classical clarinet and studied with Ray Gerrard and Frank Vivino (his father’s cousin). When Jerry was 14 years old, he purchased his favorite Jethro Tull album, “This Was” and still has it today. Al Kooper’s original Blood Sweat and Tears was also a favorite of his, and their first album, “Child Is Father To The Man”, was his favourite. Jerry actually wore all three of Chicago’s original albums. Elton John and James Taylor were his favorites back then, as well as Sly and Family Stone. Jerry loved R a lot.
