Las Vegas Sun

March 29, 2024

Columnist Jerry Fink: Dick Fazio’s career has evolved to kids’ stuff

Music was Dick Fazio's life until the keyboardist hit 60 almost six years ago and had second thoughts about his career choice.

"I grew real tired of the music business," said the New York native, who has performed in clubs around the country for decades. "I needed to make a drastic change in my life, and so I got out of the business and went to work for Trader Joe's.

"I needed to back away from the whole music scene."

Right. That's easier said than done, especially for a true musician.

"It was tough and there were times when I wanted to get back into it," said Fazio, noted for his black hat and his energetic playing. "But I found that that was just what I needed at that time in my life."

Stocking shelves and waiting on customers was gratifying, at least for awhile. It helped him to get back into shape, if nothing else.

But eventually, after a couple of years, the yearning to make music crept back into his psyche and he began performing jazz on Friday nights at Pogo's with Irv Kluger -- the 84-year-old drummer who is a legend in the business.

By the time Fazio turned 65 in November he was ready to get back into music, so he retired from the grocery business and played a few gigs around town.

Thursdays through Saturday nights he can be heard at Steven David's, 545 E. Sahara Ave.

But there still was something missing in Fazio's life.

He had two degrees from Ithaca College in New York, a B.S. in music education and a B.A. in performance.

He had 40 years of experience performing, beginning with a tour of duty with the Navy's band in Washington, D.C.

Over the years he sometimes worked as a substitute music teacher.

And the Clark County School District had a need for teachers.

"I sent my transcripts to the district, but I never heard a word from them," Fazio said.

Then he found an ad in the paper for a music teacher at Challenger School, a private school at 9900 Isaac Newton Lane in northwest Las Vegas.

"I interviewed with the principal and his assistant and five days later they called me and said I was hired," Fazio said. "All of a suddent at the ripe age of 65, I'm finally able to use my college education."

Fazio says he couldn't be happier, passing his knowledge and experience along to the young students in kindergarten through grade six.

"It's great," he said. "The whole music program is an integral part of their education -- we work it into science, geography, all aspects of school."

Fazio says he feels that he has been rejuvenated. Once again, he loves music.

"I really feel great about what I'm doing," he said. "I'm giving back for all that I have.

"I've been very lucky. Very few people are able to do exactly what they've wanted to do with their life."

Fazio's students are as eager as he is about music.

"They are so attentive -- they love to learn songs, they love to dance," he said.

He says he integrates music theory into the songs, teaching the students the various aspects of the art -- what's a staff, what's a clef.

They're learning how to read and write music.

"And for the more serious students, I'm allowed to use the classroom after school for private lessons," Fazio said.

For the instruments he can't play, he says he has lots of friends in the music world and he will bring them in to demonstrate for the students.

In addition to the classwork, he will put together a couple of music programs.

And when he isn't at school or giving private lessons or being the music director of the United Methodist Church in Boulder City he can still be found at Steven David's three nights a week making his own music.

It's a busy schedule, but a fulfilling one. And there's no thought of slowing down or retiring.

"It's a challege to me," Fazio said, "but it's a good challenge."

Lounging around

John Kaye and The Overlords appear as the group "Sensation" at the AVI Hotel and Casino's Arrowhead Lounge in Laughlin through Sunday.

Kaye is the lead vocalist, Charlie Liles lead guitar, Faust Ruggerio bass and vocals and David White drums and vocals.

They're repertoire includes everything from R&B and Funk.

The Cunninghams and the Arnie Webster Big Band, conducted by Jimmy Wilkins, and MC'd by Joel Dane, will appear at the Starbright Theatre in Sun City at 5:30 p.m. and 8 p.m. on Oct. 15.

Tickets are $20 for residents of Sun City and 25 for nonresidents.

The husband and wife duo are one of the nation's top jazz acts.

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