Vince's Music

Vince Tuzzi grew up in a small town just west of Hanford, California called Lemoore. His mom was a single parent and while she was at work, his grandmother, who owned a saloon and restaurant, would take care of him there at the bar.

While the jukebox played, Vince (then 3 or 4) would pantomime to artists like Johnny Raye, Elvis, Ray Price, and whoever the many patrons chose to listen to. He credits his vast repertoire to that early exposure to so many different types of music.

The Lee Riders 1963 - 1967
L to R: Sherman Railsback, Vince Tuzzi, Robbie Garren, Ed Hill , Jim Anderson

Since the beginning of the 2020 Covid Pandemic, Vince has been performing a series of 'Live' mini home concerts - posted on his Facebook page (https://www.facebook.com/vince.tuzzi/) He currently posts a song or two each week to keep the music flowing until he's able to perform again in person.

The videos below are featured songs from his live Facebook posts:

Below: Vince Tuzzi performing the Jerry Jeff Walker song "Mr Bojangles," recorded on September 22nd, 2018 at the 10th Annual Prostate Cancer Awareness Songfest held at the Kuumbwa Jazz Center .



Throughout the 60’s he continued to listen to all types of music and in 1965 auditioned for the role of lead singer for a band that would later be called “Lee Riders”, singing the Kingsmen (Louie, Louie) song, “Jolly Green Giant”.

Vince got the “gig” and has began his professional career, playing all around the San Joaquin Valley from Fresno to Bakersfield. He often played for promoter Mel Simas who owned a company called Melco (Mel & Company). Everyone in the San Joaquin Valley was familiar with the “Melco” dances on the weekends. Way ahead of his time, Mel Simas was booking acts like “The Road Runners” out of Fresno and “The Hunted” out of Laton, California. These dances called “Melco” dances still go on though Mel has since passed away.

A move to Santa Cruz in the early 70’s found Vince playing solo gigs with just him and his acoustic guitar – a no-name, 12 string, great sounding guitar that he played at rest homes, weddings, wineries and corporate parties.

Many of the styles he continues to play today were those ingrained in years ago – songs by Gordon Lightfoot, Jimmy Buffet, John Prine and Leon Redbone, to name a few.

He continues to play music on a regular basis and has recorded two CDs, “Down Home Cruzin with Tuzzi" and "Nine Years Later" - a live performance at the Catalyst in Santa Cruz, CA.

CDs are $15 each (includes shipping and handling).
Please contact Vince for ordering instructions or for booking information.

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Jeff West is a fellow uke player who has written about Vince in his "Humble Uker" blogsite. To read what he has written CLICK HERE.