Index: POLICEMAN MOONLIGHTS IN MUSIC / BELMONT COUPLE'S PATRIOTIC TUNE WAS INSPIRED BY SEPT. 11 ATTACKS / INTERVIEWED BY MIKE CLEARY of KABL 960 AM / U.S. POSTAL WORKER INSPIRED by SFARZO'S SONG / NEPHEW GETS INVOLVED AS WEBMASTER / SAN FRANCISCO of the YEAR JUSTICE WILLIAM A. NEWSOM / LOCAL SONGWRITERS / BELMONT COUPLE WRITES SONG FOR SEPT. 11 VICTIMS / RECORDING ARTIST INSPIRED TO ARRANGE AND ORCHESTRATE NEW SONG ABOUT AMERICA

Policeman moonlights in music.

Menlo officer Ron Sfarzo says two careers have common mission

By Eloise Maki

Special to the Almanac - See Article Here

July 10th 2002

San Jose, Ca.

To others, Ron Sfarzo's two careers -- police work and music -- may contain no common theme. To him, they do. "I went into police work to help people. In music, I help people indirectly." Mr. Sfarzo, 54, is an officer with the Menlo Park Police Department. When not policing, he is a keyboardist-composer-arranger, performing jazz and Big Band music with Bay Area bands 12 times a month. His wife Maryann, a singer-lyricist, sometimes join him. "When you can play music from your heart and have someone enjoy it -- that's the big high that I get out of it," he said. Not admitted to the police department in the 1960s because of the height requirement, Mr. Sfarzo was a reserve policeman from age 21 to 41 for the South San Francisco and Menlo Park police departments and the San Mateo County Sheriff's Office.

Until requirements changed and he became a full-time officer in the Menlo Park Police Department in 1985, music was his main career. After high school he spent several years "on the road" playing with bands; 15 years traveling the United States and Canada as a concert artist for Wurlitzer, Hammond, and Baldwin; and three years running a piano dealership in San Francisco.

When Mr. Sfarzo went full time for the Menlo Park Police Department, his wife said, "You'll have to promise you won't stop playing." He hasn't stopped. As an associate member of the Bohemian Club in San Francisco, he plays in its 25-member jazz band, "Jinks." He has been keyboardist for Charo and Dixieland vocalist Pat Yankee. He recently played accordion at Francis Ford Coppola's benefit in San Francisco for the homeless. "We decided never to work a steady gig, because it ties you up," said Mrs. Sfarzo, who is also an insurance representative. The two met through music, performing at a wedding. They married in 1969 and live in Belmont.

Although the Sfarzos usually market their songs to other musicians to produce and promote, they have such faith in a song they wrote last fall that they recorded and are marketing it themselves, after Capitol Records liked it but decided not to take it.

While in New York last summer, the Sfarzos visited Engine Co. 55's firehouse in Little Italy and meet the firefighters there -- five of whom subsequently died on September 11. Mrs. Sfarzo said she felt a compulsion to "put some words down." She said she didn't want to write about what had happened. "I wanted to write a song about America - what America is all about." As children of Italian immigrants, the Sfarzos say they had each absorbed the immigrant's dreams and struggles. They appreciate what their parents and grandparent worked so hard to get for them -- a life in this country. "Everyone in Europe thinks Americans are rich," said Mrs. Sfarzo, but their relatives didn't find riches here. "They found freedom, that's what they found."

After she wrote the lyrics to "America Our Country, America Our Home," Mr. Sfarzo wrote the melody. Trent Gardner of Magellan, a progressive rock group, wrote the arrangement. "The sound was so huge -- what we envisioned," said Mr. Sfarzo. "It belongs in a stadium -- at PacBell stadium." To show the song's versatility, they recorded two other versions of the song. One is a country style, with Robert Berry on guitar, former Doobie Brother Danny Hull on harmonica, and Mrs. Sfarzo singing. The third version is a piano solo, arranged and played by her husband.

They dedicated the CD, which contains the three versions of the song, to the 18 firefighters from the Menlo Park Fire District Task Force 3 Urban Search & Rescue Unit who went to the World Trade Center disaster in September. The song can be heard and purchased at www.americaourhome.net.

Every once in a while, Mr. Sfarzo's two careers touch. One night a man came up to him after a performance and shook his hand. "I expect him to say something about the music," said Mr. Stafzo. "Instead he says, 'I want to thank you for arresting me three years ago. Because of that, I straightened my act out.' Once in a while, a person learns from their mistakes, and you feel so good."

Sean Webby swebby@sjmercury.com

July 4th 2002

San Jose, Ca. - Posted on Thu, Jul. 04, 2002 Officer Ron Sfarzo patrols the streets with the Menlo Park municipal ordinance book by his side and a song in his heart. The song? ``America Our Country . . . America Our Home,'' celebrating patriotism and the American immigrant experience. He and his wife, Maryann, composed it soon after Sept. 11. Sometimes, when there is a quiet moment between sketchy U-turns and blaring dispatches, the 55-year-old Belmont man dreams this dream:

"The White House lawn. President Bush. The U.S. Marine Choir is singing his song. They soar together into the final stanza: We will stand together/we are not alone/Love and Peace to guide us/God is here beside us. . . .Fireworks."

Sfarzo is one of a growing number of police officers and firefighters struck by a musical muse after the terrorist attacks on the World Trade Center and Pentagon. The most successful of these is The Singing Policeman (not to be confused with the Singing Patrolman, the Singing Mountie or the Singing Fireman or Sfarzo, who is sometimes known as he Musical Cop.)

On one end of the spectrum is Daniel Rodriguez. Rodriguez, then a New York City police officer, parlayed his tenor talent into the release of the CD ``Spirit of America,'' a recording contract with Capitol, a nationwide tour and a nationally televised performance at the Winter Olympics in Salt Lake City this year.

Others, like Ron and Maryann Sfarzo, are still seeking recognition.

The Sfarzos mailed Rodriguez their song, hoping he would record it. But Capitol executives turned it down. Rodriguez gets dozens of similar requests from police officers, firefighters and others, he said. Like the Sfarzos' effort, some of what he had heard was really good.

``If you are a police officer or a firefighter or an EMT worker and you want to try and make it in this business, you should try,'' Rodriguez said recently a few minutes before he was to go on stage to sing a excerpt from the musical version of ``Jekyll and Hyde'' at the Washington Opera. ``Music is something that comes from the soul, and a lot of people put their hearts and souls into music after Sept. 11. And if they feel it in their soul then that's their calling.''

Sfarzo has been called by music most of his life. His father was a guitarist. He and his brothers formed a band, with Ron playing an accordion. They would play at picnics and festivals in San Francisco's North Beach. Later, he toured with the Andrini Brothers, playing their novelty act at the big Las Vegas casinos and sometimes accompanying celebrities. Since then he has become an accomplished professional keyboardist and accompanied such entertainers as the Smothers Brothers and Charo. Sfarzo has played at events hosted by Danielle Steele and Francis Ford Coppola.

His marriage became a creative partnership. Ron Sfarzo writes the tunes, and his wife, a singer, the lyrics.Inspired by their trips to Oahu, they co-wrote ``Oh, My Sweet Honolulu.'' One holiday season they wrote ``It's Christmas.'' When a friend fell fatally ill, they wrote ``Sleep, Sleep, Sleep, Dear Friend'' and played it later at his funeral. In memory of his father, Ron Sfarzo wrote ``The Blind Man who Could See.''

Maryann Sfarzo composed the lines to their latest song as she walked through their Belmont neighborhood after Sept. 11. Ron Sfarzo sat down at his baby grand piano and scored the tune a few hours after he heard it. Now the two are working to turn their self-produced CD, packaged in red-white-and-blue starred cases and including rock, ``campfire'' and classical takes, into a national patriotic hit. They have mailed their recording to radio stations, President Bush, Vice President Dick Cheney, former President Gerald Ford, former New York City Mayor Rudy Giuliani and country singer Kenny Rogers.

Melodies perennially play in Sfarzo's head as he cruises through the not-so-mean streets of Menlo Park. ``I hear notes all the time as I'm out there,'' he said. ``Sometimes it will be a bit of some song or the sound of a wheel, almost anything.'' That preoccupation perhaps is why some Menlo Park officers jokingly call him ``The Fog.'' They like to tell about the time he drove from the department to his Belmont home one day . . . over the San Mateo Bridge.

``We all think it's great that we have a fellow officer who is so accomplished in a different area,'' Menlo Park Police Chief Chris Boyd said. So does Sfarzo. And although he says he enjoys his day job -- after seven years in the department, he's a code enforcement officer, checking shrubbery and fence heights, ticketing abandoned cars and dealing with loud radios -- it's far from his first love.

He and Maryann, an insurance agent, feel they are musicians first. For now, Sfarzo has two personas that rarely meld. One night at a rock 'n' roll variety show, a man went up and hugged a bewildered Sfarzo. ``I figured he really liked my playing,'' Sfarzo said.

The man instead told him that Sfarzo had straightened out his life by arresting him on a drug charge. So the Sfarzos continue to do their day jobs and dream of a breakthrough. If the song takes off, Sfarzo said, he would probably quit. His wife probably would, too.

``And if nothing happens with this one . . .'' Maryann Sfarzo said.``. . . then it's the journey,'' Ron Sfarzo finished.

...............FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Media Contact: Maryann and Ron Sfarzo Fax: 650-596-2778

E-Mail: contact@americaourhome.net

 

U.S. Postal Worker Touched By Sfarzo's Song

June 1, 2002

SAN MATEO, CA. The Villa Hotel in San Mateo was the perfect setting for Ingrid Mullan's Retirement Gala. After 35 years with the US Postal Service she decided to invite all her friends and relatives to celebrate the occasion.

Ingrid was born in San Francisco, Ca., graduated from Mills High School in Burlingame,Ca. and studied nursing at the College Of San Mateo. In 1967 Ingrid took the Civil Service examination and passed, she was hired as a Distribution Clerk for the San Francisco Postal Service. Her job and friends meant so much to her that she stayed for 35 years. Ingrid was from immigrant parents, her mother from Sweden and her father from Germany. Both parents were in the US Army; in fact, her mother was a First Sergeant in the Wax. She was raised in a very musical family; her mother played Accordion, Piano and Organ. Ingrid loves music, Christmas and Raggie Ann Dolls.

An article was in the San Mateo County times, about a Menlo Park Police Officer and his wife who wrote a song about America. The article touched Ingrid, since their song tells the story of people coming from other lands and the freedom that they found. The lyrics reminded her of her own family and how proud they were to be Americans. Ingrid asked Ron and Maryann Sfarzo if they would attend her party and perform their song which is now on CD and can be purchased from their web site: http://www.americaourhome.net Ron was going to be out of town but Maryann agreed to be there. The theme for her party was patriotic, Red, White and Blue. "America Our Country, America Our Home"

The evening was filled with music from The Ramon Garcia Quintet, D J Wolfman Joe, The Golden Chordsmen Quartet and the Golden-Greene School of Irish Dance in San Jose, Ca. Ingrid loves retirement, she wants to plan more parties and just enjoy life.

...............FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Media Contact: Maryann and Ron Sfarzo Fax: 650-596-2778

E-Mail: contact@americaourhome.net

Nephew Becomes Webmaster To Assist Uncle And Aunts Song Of Freedom Project

June 1, 2002

Petaluma, Ca. He is more than just a Webmaster, he is the nephew of Ron & Maryann Sfarzo, Composers of America Our Country, America Our Home. Greg Sfarzo works as an Educational Account Representative for IntelliTools, Inc. in Petaluma, Ca. IntelliTools manufactures high-quality computer based educational products. Greg's focus is to assist School Districts throughout the central United States in meeting the standards in literacy and math for children in elementary schools, who face the challenge of learning disabilities as well as physical disabilities.

Greg is the innovator of the "Sfarzo-Matic Overlay" in which he uses the IntelliKeys keyboard to increase his productivity at the workplace. Greg is also the owner of Sfarzo Super Strings, he knows all about music and the music business, so when he offered to create a Web Page for America Our Country, America Our Home, Ron and Maryann were delighted. The Web Page started out very basic and everyday something new was added.

" After the tragedy of 9/11, I started to think of my Uncle who is a Police Officer in the San Francisco Bay Area. Ron and I never really saw much of each other in the last 10 years due to the distance of where we live. It was shortly after 9/11 that I received a call from my Uncle Ron who mentioned that he and Maryann had wrote a song about America. I just had to be part of their project and this is how the website had transpired. I am proud to be an American, and I am proud to be the nephew of these loving people, Ron and Maryann."

May 23, 2002

San Francisco, Ca. - It was a night to remember at the San Francisco Italian Athletic Club as the San Francisco Forum honored Justice William A. Newsom . San Francisco Forum was established in 1975 as an organization to uphold and preserve the great traditions of the City of San Francisco. The purpose for which the organization was formed is: "To encourage, maintain, and preserve the great traditions of the City of San Francisco through educational, social, and cultural activities and to provide a Forum for discussion in these areas."

Once a year, the Forum honors a San Franciscan of the Year for outstanding and meritorious contributions rendered to the people of the City of San Francisco. This year the theme to Honor Justice William A. Newsom was America Our Country, America Our Home, the title of Maryann and Ron's song.

Maryann and Ron Sfarzo were asked to present their song America Our Country, America Our Home before dinner, to 150 guest which included the Mayor of Oakland, Jerry Brown and Former Police Chief of San Francisco and Former Mayor of San Francisco, Frank Jordan. Also attending as members of the Forum, John Brattesani, owner of Caesars Restaurant and Joe Brattesani, former owner of Colton Piano and Organ Company.

April 24th 2002 

Palo Alto, CA- Around Town . They're an unlikely pair of composers. He's a police officer in Menlo Park, she works at California State Automobile Association. Together, they've written songs for 30 years. But now, Menlo Park Police officer Ron Sfarzo and his wife, Maryann completed what they consider a truly special song. Inspired by the terrorist disaster, the couple composed "America Our Country . . .America Our Home" in memory of those who lost their lives on Sept. 11. They had a little help when they recorded it on CD. Danny Hull , a former Doobie Brother, played harmonica for the recording. "The song was written about America and how immigrants came here from other lands where they found a richness and freedom," Sfarzo said. The couple's CD will be released next month.   

April 20th 2002 

MENLO PARK, CA- Ron and Maryann Sfarzo traveled to New York City in July to visit an old friend, a retired New York City fireman who took the couple to Engine Company 55 -- a fire house in the city's Little Italy neighborhood.

A few months later, as the events of Sept. 11 unfolded on television, the Sfarzo's watched from their Belmont home. Their shock was tempered with concern for their friend and the firefighters they met during their summer vacation. The toll to Engine 55 was high. At least five of its firefighters are unaccounted for, Ron Sfarzo said. The memory of the firehouse and its occupants stayed with the Sfarzo's, musicians who will soon release a song in memory of those who died in the terrorist attacks. In the aftermath of the terrorist attacks -- and to honor the country their families immigrated to -- they wrote and produced a song in memory of the people who lost their lives. "The whole thing was very emotional for all of us. We didn't want to write words talking about the tragedy, but rather to remind us of who we are and how we got here," Maryann Sfarzo said.

Ron, a Menlo Park police officer, and Maryann, an insurance saleswoman, blend their professional lives with a variety of musical commitments. He plays piano, organ and synthesizer, while she sings and does voice-over work in radio. Their song "American Our Country, America Our Home" is a folk-y ballad about immigration and patriotism and will be released next month. It is the culmination of more than six months of work by the Sfarzo's, their family and friends. Ron and Maryann are the children of Italian immigrants who came to the U.S. "I remember stories my relatives would tell," Maryann said. "The people from Italy thought that this was a land of gold, and that they would become rich. They didn't but they did find that they were able to do what they wanted to -- that this was a land of liberty."

With those stories in mind, Maryann wrote the words, and Ron set them to music. An instrumental version of the song, featuring Ron at the piano, and two versions with Maryann singing will be on the compact disk, which should be released around May 15. They first offered the song to Capitol Records through Danny Rodriguez, a New York City police officer whose musical career includes singing the National Anthem at New York Yankee baseball games. They sent the song to Rodriguez, and he selected it and two others from more than 30 as a possibility for his first record, but it didn't make the final cut. The Sfarzo's decided that was the signal that they should record it themselves. "(We felt) this was something everybody should be able to hear and enjoy," Maryann said. "So from that we decided to go ahead and produce this ourselves," Ron added.

They borrowed recording studio space from friends and turned two rooms of their home over to the advertising and distribution of the CD, which will be available over the Internet. a portion of the Proceeds from the record sale will be distributed among The National Law Enforcement Officer's Memorial Fund and The national Fallen Firefighter's Foundation.

For more information or to listen to the song, log onto www.americaourhome.net

...............FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Media Contact: Maryann and Ron Sfarzo Fax: 650-596-2778

E-Mail: contact@americaourhome.net

POLICE OFFICER AND HIS WIFE INSPIRED TO WRITE A SONG ABOUT AMERICA

April 1st 2002 

BELMONT, CA - After the events of September 11th and the days that followed, Americans never lost their faith. Everyday a new event was unfolding, but they continued to be there for each other. "America Our County, America Our Home" is not a song about September 11th, but rather a song reminding us that America is good and we are proud to be Americans. It was also written to remind this generation and the generations to follow why America was founded and that nothing can take away our Freedom.

Ron and Maryann Sfarzo were born and raised in San Francisco, CA. Ron is a police officer with the City of Menlo Park. He is also a pianist and an accomplished arranger/composer. Maryann is a singer, lyricist and voice over talent. They are members of BMI and perform together throughout the Bay Area. They feel that "America Our Country, America Our Home" is one of their best accomplishments.

"America Our Country, America Our Home" is found on one CD with three versions. "The Production," arranged and performed by Trent Gardner of Magellan. "The Song," arranged by Robert Berry of Carl Palmer, Keith Emerson, The Power of Three, performed by Maryann Sfarzo, Robert Berry and former Doobie Brother, Danny Hull. "The Melody," arranged for solo piano and performed by Ron Sfarzo.

April 17th 2002

BELMONT, CA - In the attempt to find an arranger to orchestrate America Our Country America Our Home, both Ron and Maryann Sfarzo met with Trent Gardner an outstanding musician, composer, arranger and recording artist. Trent spent many days and weeks listening to their CD demo. Trent listened and listened but could not come up with any musical thoughts that would excite him. One morning, Trent heard the full arrangement in his head and went into arranging it as heard in "The Production". Here is a written statement from Trent explaining his feeling about "America Our Country America Our Home":

I love how memories work on the creative mind. One of my favorites is of my father, taking me to my first pro baseball game. He was the only guy in the crowd singing the national anthem at the top of his voice. As a nine year old attempting to be somewhat cool, I found my adolescent size to be an advantage in concealment as I was sure all 40,000 fans were staring at my intensely patriotic, but 'corny' dad. I've since grown to both understand and deeply appreciate what he was so fired up about.

When I first heard "America Our Country, America Our Home", I was immediately moved by an appropriate tribute to those lost on September 11. However, after a few more days, the melody continued to work on my subconscious mind. Then it hit me. I was listening to a contemporary American anthem! As a musician & producer, it became obvious I had no choice but to start recording. In fact, I couldn't sleep until I was satisfied I had something that did justice to Maryann's heartfelt lyrics. It was pure emotion for me. I was simply reminded how proud, grateful and lucky I am, to be an American, enjoying a good life. The power of Ron & Maryann's song brought home my personal connection in discovering that reality firsthand. I really do love how memories work on the creative mind. My dad knew it. Thank you, Ron & Maryann for the gift.

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