17 Facts About Richie Cannata

Richie Cannata was born on March 3,1949 and is an American music producer, saxophonist, keyboardist and studio owner.

Richie Cannata is most notable for playing saxophone in Billy Joel's band alongside Liberty DeVitto, Russell Javors, and Doug Stegmeyer.

Richie Cannata worked with The Beach Boys for most of the 1990s, touring and occasionally recording with them during this period.

Richie Cannata was born March 3,1949 in Brooklyn, New York, the son of Ernest and Anna Richie Cannata.

Interested in music from a very early age, Richie Cannata was introduced by his family first to the piano at the age of four and later to clarinet and tenor saxophone at the age of eight.

Richie Cannata plays flute and keyboards in addition to alto, soprano and baritone sax.

In 1950s his family moved to Garden City South where Richie Cannata blossomed as a musician.

Richie Cannata played his first gig at the age of 13 and went on to play in school bands and with local musicians, perfecting his skills as a live performer and studio musician.

In 1975, Richie Cannata was introduced to Billy Joel's bass player Doug Stegmeyer through Stegmeyer's brother Al.

At the time, Joel was looking for a sax player and Richie Cannata was given a position in the band.

Richie Cannata played in Tommy Shaw's band in the mid-1980s, performing on Shaw's first three solo albums.

From 1991 until 1998, Richie Cannata toured with The Beach Boys, playing saxophone, woodwinds and synthesizers.

In 1993, Richie Cannata briefly reunited with Joel for Joel's River of Dreams album.

In 2006, Richie Cannata briefly toured again with Joel, and was part of his record-setting 12-show run at Madison Square Garden.

In 2009, Richie Cannata coached and oversaw recording sessions with singer Jenna Rose, who only a year later became a viral video sensation.

On July 11,2016, Richie Cannata received special recognition from Glen Cove Mayor for his contributions to the city's music heritage.

Richie Cannata was presented with the key to Glen Cove and named the downtown intersection of Bridge, School and Glen Streets as "Richie Cannata Place" for the city's summer music season.