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What started as four friends in 1987, hailing from Queen Village and Lower Moyamensing, getting together to play with music has turned into a 27-year run as one of Philadelphia’s premiere bands. The Business, snagging local band honors, is now a 10-piece with fresh blood and they’re poised to preserve a longstanding legacy of moving dance floors and entertaining crowds, both big and small.
Specializing in pop, R&B and oldies standards, all the way up to modern top-40 hits, the band has earned fans at festivals, weddings and private parties. The group performs between 60 to 70 gigs a year. So maybe it’s sheer exposure and work ethic that gets Danny Vanore’s troupe on stage in front of unsuspecting partiers; it’s certainly something that’s earned them fans over time.
“Longevity – we’ve been around.We’ve definitely got the South Philly festivals tied up,” he said, referring to Columbus Day festivities, Italian Market celebrations or church functions.
He’s particularly proud of some of his newest additions: Justin Gonzalez (lead vocals/congas/valve trombone) and Erica Gagliardi (vocals). Justin (“One of the best young tenors in the city,” endorsed Vanore) and Erica (“I was trying to get her in the band for a long time,” he added) are two particularly fresh points of pride for The Business.
For now, Vanore’s happy to let his team do more singing, especially Tom Nataloni: “He’s like the frontman of the band now — I handed the torch over to him a few years ago.” Vanore may only sing about 10 percent of lead vocal parts these days, but his in-between-set DJing and gig-emceeing are clearly still crucial.
Only one other local band made a clear bid for top honors in this category, and that’s an outfit called Real. A handful of other acts tired for third.
Contact Staff Writer Bill Chenevert at bchenevert@southphillyreview.com or ext. 117.
2014 Readers’ Choice Awards
Cuisine
Steak ‘Em Up French fries
Philip’s Steaks and Geno’s Steaks (tie) Cheesesteak
PrimoHoagies Hoagie
Lil Nick’s Deli Specialty sandwich
City Pizza Pizza crust
Green Eggs Cafe Brunch menu
Penrose Diner Omelet selection/Diner
Scannicchio’s Italian Restaurant Date night/BYOB
Ristorante Pesto Italian restaurant
Johnny Chang’s Ethnic restaurant (non-Italian)
Breezy’s Café New restaurant (January 2013 to present)
Stogie Joe’s Tavern Bar menu
Nick Elmi Top chef
Sweet Tooth
Isgro Pastries Cannoli/Bakery
Pop’s Water Ice Gelati
Potito’s Cupcakes
Termini Bros Cookies
People
Jason Douglas DJ
The Business Local band
Bobby Rydell South Philly celebrity
Dana Smith Elementary school teacher
Vikings Mummers Brigade
Carl Arrigale High school coach
Neumann-Goretti High school team
Bryan Hughes Youth/recreation league coach
Nick Foles Philly pro athlete
Places
DiBruno Bros. Italian specialty store
Galdo’s Catering Hall
Ten Pennies Florist
Monti Rago Funeral Home, Inc., Funeral home
Packer Park Neighborhood
Epiphany of Our Lord Church Church
Lombardi’s Prime Meats Butcher shop
TLA Music venue
On the Move
Planet Fitness Gym/health club
DanceAdelphia Ballet program
Barry Playground Community pool
Fitness Works Place to take a Pilates class
And Let’s Not Forget
Bartender Category not on this list
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