The Band Leader Francis Casella: (1934-2019)

By Mr. John Michael Zov

1957- New York City.

The Band Leader is a sweeping, deeply personal narrative told through the eyes of Johnny Angelina, a seasoned pianist who meets a remarkable man named Francis Casella. Johnny has spent decades performing across the U.S., from hotel lounges in Los Angeles to private events in New York, always guided by his father's philosophy: learn all types
of music to survive in the business. This wisdom eventually brings him to a quiet assisted living facility in upstate New York called The Welcome Home, where once a month he performs the "standards"-timeless songs of the '40s and '50s.
Here, Johnny meets Francis Casella, a distinguished, well-dressed older gentleman with piercing blue eyes and a silver and black cane. There's something mysterious about him, Francis, a listener who clearly knows what he's hearing, requests songs from a bygone era, and soon reveals that he was a band leader for over 60 years.
Intrigued, Johnny agrees to meet with him privately. Francis wants to tell his story-a secret story-and asks Johnny to record it, but only after his death.
Johnny agrees and they arrange to spend two weeks together at a secluded log house on Saranac Lake. The property belongs to Connie Florin, the daughter of Buddy Florin, who was once the pianist in Casella's band and a close friend. The lakehouse is serene, snowy, and outfitted with a grand piano and recording equipment.
Francis begins with his youth, studying at Juilliard in the early 1950s, where he honed his
arranging, conducting, and composition skills. He slowly built a 15-piece big band, choosing each
musician for their talent, character, and dedication. His big break came when he was hired to perform at the wedding of Sal Martello's daughter in White Plains, New York. He didn't realize then that Martello was a significant figure in the Katino crime family. From that moment on, Casella's life changed dramatically-he became both a highly sought-after musician and a man connected to the underworld. Casella led his band through clubs, private gigs, and eventually into the world of film scores. A highlight of his American career was composing and arranging the soundtrack for a feature film, This Is My Life, where he met Misty Maronda, a captivating singer and actress. Their collaboration brought him acclaim and further cemented his reputation, though often behind the scenes and without official credit due to his shadowy associations.
Eventually, the weight of his connections became too much. In the late 1970s, Casella fled the U.S. under the name Peter Zoda and resurfaced in Vienna, Austria. He founded the Francis Casella Big Band in Europe's jazz and classical circles there. In Vienna, he also met Valentina, a gifted cellist who became the love of his life. They shared years of art, music, and travel.
Tragically, Valentina died unexpectedly, and the heartbreak altered Francis forever. He became
more reclusive in his final years, so he chose to reflect and entrust Johnny with his legacy.
As they spend the two weeks together, Johnny records Francis's story and gains deep insight into
a life filled with music, danger, love, and resilience. When Francis passes away from cancer in
2017, he leaves Johnny with a final task: to take his ashes to Vienna, bury them beside Valentina,
and retrieve a key hidden beneath her cello-engraved tombstone. The key unlocks a safety deposit
box in a Swiss bank, containing valuable paintings and documents-Casella's final treasure and
symbolic passing of the torch.
The novel ends with Johnny back at the Lakehouse, reflecting on his journey and preparing to
write the story of Francis Casella and himself. Through Francis's life, Johnny rediscovers purpose,
the power of legacy, and the soul of the music they both love.
This story Promotes Jazz and Classical Music.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: B0DT6YCXJ8
• ISBN13: 9798306698618
• Release Date: January 2025
• Publisher: Independently Published
• Length: 426 Pages
• Weight: 1.25 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.9" x 6.0" x 9.0"