Music (Film Scores + Songs)
All music written by Sally Zito (Ascap), except where noted. If you hear a piano, a synth, or a vocal, it’s Sally, except where indicated. For licensing inquiries and requests, please visit the CONTACT page. (2030)
Thanks for listening!
____________________________________________________________
Breathe [Multi-media live performance song] (2020)
A meditative synth compilation, containing the song “Breathe” that I received in a series of dreams about how to survive death.
Breathe, breathe deep – here comes the water.
Now, don’t be afraid; when it comes for you let it tumble you down.
Just breathe
The water that rushes you, let it in.
And I am there pouring in to you all the breath that you dared give up to breathe.
Music by Sally Zito and Ann Del Amo [“Love is the Only Power”]
Recorded at: Gilmore House, Lake Balboa, CA circa. 2018
____________________________________________________________
The Place of Two [song] (2019)
What is this realm of duality, this place of two? Could there be a place of three, of 10, of 90? Might we have been on the long road to Oneness for eons, and now it is finally in our grasp?
Recorded at: Gilmore House, Lake Balboa, CA, on June 16, 2019
____________________________________________________________
We, Alone [song] (2019)
Aloneness: (n., state of being) the unintended consequence of supremacy/superiority thinking, speciesism, “otherizing,” and belief in separation
Recorded at: Gilmore House, Lake Balboa, CA on September 9, 2018
____________________________________________________________
Hickory Heart [song] (2019)
Prayer to the Heart.
Recorded at: Gilmore House, Lake Balboa, CA on March 25, 2018
____________________________________________________________
Me in the Shadow [song] (2019)
It is thought that we each have a Shadow Self — a part of us that we find so undesirable we deny its existence within us. In truth, our Shadow Self is integral to who we are and desperately needs our love, attention and approval.
Recorded at: Gilmore House, Lake Balboa, CA on December 2, 2018
____________________________________________________________
Traveling Song [multimedia song] (2019)
Every day, millions of innocent individuals are packed onto trucks and sent to slaughter houses right in our midst, in our cities, out of sight, and out of the minds of all those who demand their flesh to be supplied for tasting pleasure. People are beginning to Awaken to this cultural horror, and in turn are working tirelessly to awaken the others.
Recorded at: Gilmore House, Lake Balboa, CA on March 11, 2018
____________________________________________________________
Calling the Skinned Leopards Home (A Musical Prayer) [song] (2019)
A prayer, a salve, a healing, to all those in the kill line now, on their way to death in the coming hour, as they are received on “the other side” with tenderness and peace, hearing these words: “Come to me, come to me… I will hold you, Come to me. You’re in the light, you’re in the light. No one can hurt you, you’re in the light. Come to me and be healed, come to me and be healed. O, you are whole again.”
💚
Recorded at: Sweetbriar, Nashville, TN in the summer of 2022
____________________________________________________________
How Beautiful We Are [song] (2019)
Faced with the end of civilization, might we finally know our connection to one another, to our planet, and to all the living beings who share it with us?
Written/recorded at: Gilmore House, Lake Balboa, CA, on December 30, 2018
Live performance video:
____________________________________________________________
Nothing is What it Seems [musical thought] (2019)
Ignorance is bliss…
Recorded at: Gilmore House, Lake Balboa, CA on June 17, 2018
____________________________________________________________
Still the Line [song] (2019)
On behalf of those in factory farm “production lines” at this very moment, witnessing the execution of their family and friends, and finally, their own…
Written/Recorded at: Gilmore House, Lake Balboa, CA, May 30, 2018 / November 30, 2019
____________________________________________________________
I am the Wolf! [song] (2019)
Hail to the Female Alpha Wolf!! Ladies, claim it!!
Recorded at: Gilmore House, Lake Balboa, CA on February 10, 2019
____________________________________________________________
Wish Upon A Comet [source cue /song] (2019)
Just for fun, and to get it out of my head finally, this is a piece of music that was conceived for a film I was composing on in 1997, but it never actualized (hence, the lyric is also unfinished). It’s a duet so I had to sing both the girl and guy parts. 😁
Recorded at: Gilmore Street, Lake Balboa, CA on November 10, 2019
____________________________________________________________
Murray’s Way [instrumental] (2019)
A musical portrait.
Recorded at: Gilmore House, Lake Balboa, CA on February 24, 2019
____________________________________________________________
The Promise [song] (2019)
This is raw, but the truth is in tact…
Just something I wanted to say to a friend.
Recorded at: Gilmore House, Lake Balboa, CA on April 7, 2019
____________________________________________________________
Run [song] (2019)
Truth, Love: we say we want it, but mostly we run from it.
Written/recorded at: Gilmore House, Lake Balboa, CA on May 19, 2019
____________________________________________________________
Cryptic Love [musical thought] (2019)
I’d Do Anything For Love, but come on, really???
Recorded at: Gilmore House, Lake Balboa, CA, on June 30, 2019
____________________________________________________________
Comin’ In Hot [song] (2019)
Variations on a theme of cryptic love
Written/Recorded at: Gilmore Street, Lake Balboa, CA, on September 30, 2019
Performed live at Bar Lubitsch, Hollywood, CA, December 30, 2019 (Courtesy of Fernando Perdomo)
____________________________________________________________
I’ve Moved On [song] (2019)
Just speak your truth already…
Recorded at: Gilmore Street, Lake Balboa, CA on October 27th, 2019
____________________________________________________________
Breaking and Entering [musical thought] (2019)
Handing over the keys…
Recorded at: Gilmore House, Lake Balboa, CA on May 25th, 2020
____________________________________________________________
Somethin’ Bad Comin’ (2019)
Sometimes you can pinpoint the exact moment a marriage breaks…
Recorded at: Gilmore House, Lake Balboa, CA on May 6, 2018
____________________________________________________________
Empty Slate [song unfinished] (2019)
Sometimes life hands you , your heart, a full reset.
I envision this song to sound like a Louisiana style processional (with marching bass drum, woodwinds and brass). Hope to finish it at some point…
Recorded at: Gilmore House, Lake Balboa, CA on June 3, 2018
____________________________________________________________
All That Silence (Live Performance) [song] (2019)
Videographer: Mark S. Lane (Thank you, Mark!!)
Recorded at: Chatsworth, CA
____________________________________________________________
So Long, I Love You [multimedia song] (2019)
Pre-recorded voices: Joseph Zito (c.2011), Roberta Zito (c.1993;1981), S.Zito & B.Zito (1981). Piano background: J.Zito (1981) playing his own composition.
Recorded at: Gilmore House, Lake Balboa, CA on August 12, 2018
____________________________________________________________
Fury of Crows (by Barry Zito & S.Zito) [songette] (2019)
I got to witness a crow funeral made up of hundreds of crows outside my home in Los Angeles. Like all animals, crows mourn their dead and they can give quite a funeral. Also, first-time song collaboration with my brother Barry. Maybe we’ll turn this into full song one day!
Including the lyrics, since it contains some factual info on crow behavior. 🙂
FURY OF CROWS
Feathers up and down in a furious flight
Gather all around, gonna be a long night
Black out the sun, huddle up
One Down!
His leg’s stickin out all funky on the ground
They ride currents like a roller coaster
Rev it up, drop and float her
Sweet, soft down – lay her gently over
Tree-top funeral where the wind blows
They line up where the sun goes
They’ll be screamin all the way
It’s a Fury of Crows
and the frenzy, it grows
It’s a Fury of Crows
and the frenzy, it grows
Recorded at: Gilmore House, Lake Balboa, CA on October 7, 2018
____________________________________________________________
Inside My Head [ Main Title Song/Film] (2019)
Another co-write with my brother, Barry Zito, this is the main title song for the film “Other People’s Business” (Jane Heller/Rose Rosen), released in the early days of the pandemic “lockdown” when nobody could film anything except on Zoom due to quarantine requirements. We were very happy to work together on our first film scoring project, even if it was all remote.
Recorded at: Sweetbriar and The Backyard Studios, Nashville, TN in 2021
____________________________________________________________
Broken Watch [song] (2019)
I once gave my brother a shower clock-radio for Christmas that I bought at the Pic ‘n’ Save store (lean times), and for $2.99, this was a GREAT gift, but unfortunately, it didn’t work at all… wouldn’t even turn on, so it was actually the lamest gift ever, and we laugh about it periodically.
Recorded at: Gilmore House, Lake Balboa, CA on November 4, 2018
____________________________________________________________
Paradise (Mother Earth) [song] (2019)
This short song parodies the abusive and “over-use-ive” behavior of Mankind toward Mother Earth
(using the antiquated “mankind” is intentional here…)
Recorded at: Gilmore House, Lake Balboa, CA on April 22, 2018
____________________________________________________________
One Way Or Another (Written by Debbie Harry and Nigel Harrison) [cover song] (2019)
Total living room recording, but so fun to take a song and attempt to reharmonize/change the groove just enough to be different, but not so much it is unrecognizable. Not sure if I rode that line well, but was fun regardless!
Recorded at: Gilmore House, Lake Balboa, CA on July 29, 2018
____________________________________________________________
Hit & Run (written by Def Leppard) [cover song] (2019)
Guess I was wondering what old Def Leppard would sound like with phased electric piano and a female vocal… Hit & Run was one of my favorite tracks off their 1982 High ‘n Dry album.
Recorded at: Gilmore House, Lake Balboa, CA on October 13, 2019
____________________________________________________________
Sol Revolution [electronic instrumental] (2019)
What does the universe sound like?
Gear: Korg Micro (w/vocoder), Korg x-50, Yamaha P-120
Recorded at: Gilmore House, Lake Balboa, CA on January 13, 2019
____________________________________________________________
Critters (Fern Lipski, Barry Zito, Sally Zito) [song/improvisation] (2019)
Key of D, 1 2 3 go! Impromptu family recording session featuring niece, Fern Lipski on violin/lead vocals, and brother Barry on guitar.
We jammed for 15 min. I edited it down to a more manageable 4 min. Amazing what can come in the moment!
Fern Lipski: lead vocals, violin. Barry Zito: guitar, session engineer. Sally Zito: synth, backing vocals, editing.
Recorded at: Nashville, TN, on July 14, 2019
____________________________________________________________
A Zillion Lights [song] (2017)
For all those who have died at the hands of humans and are now in the light, waiting to assist their brothers and sisters, and waiting for humans to finally see them…
Recorded at: Gilmore House, Lake Balboa, CA in the spring of 2018
____________________________________________________________
All-Piano Score from the Documentary “The Walk” [score] (2017)
Documentary by Director John Bernard exposing the horrors of the Factory Farming industry, including footage from the live street theater event of the same name that took place in Hollywood, CA on October 29, 2017. The all-piano score composed/performed at the live theater event was then adapted for placement in the documentary, which is what you are hearing now.
Recorded at: Gilmore House, Lake Balboa, CA
____________________________________________________________
End Title/Credits from the Documentary “The Walk” [score] (2017)
Recorded at: Gilmore House, Lake Balboa, CA on November 15, 2017
____________________________________________________________
The Light Tree / Scattered / Let Go [Multi-media live performance] (2017)
What happens when you die?? Tell me, Roberta…
Recorded at: Gilmore Street, Lake Balboa, CA 2018
Trapeze / Let Go / I’m Alive (Live Performance w/ the Sally Zito Project Band) [multimedia song] (2013)
One of the band’s more ambitious attempts, with spoken word by Yolanda Laverde. Though flawed, this performance is one of my favorites ever with the SZP Band. It’s part song and part underscore in three “movements” about a trapeze artist left stranded on his swing, and the only way off is to let go and jump to his own death, which he does and of course splats onto the ground, but his consciousness survives.
The Sally Zito Project is/was: Dave Bauer on drums; Yolanda Laverde on synth; Matt Pensabene on bass, S.Zito on piano/synth/vocals.
Live performance at: T.I.C., El Cajon, CA
____________________________________________________________
Zero Gravity (w/”The In Sound,” Music by Lorenzo Scott, Paul Spence, Sally Zito) [song] (2009)
We made a lot of sound for a trio. One of my favorite musical passages in all the bands I have played with starts at 3:40 into this song as an accidental homage to one of my musical heroes, Pat Metheny. (Warning: this is a rehearsal recording and contains mishaps!)
“The In Sound” was Lorenzo Scott on drums, Paul Spence on bass and multimedia, and Sally Zito on Keyboards and lead vocals. Photo: L. Scott.
Recorded live in rehearsal at: Los Angeles, CA
____________________________________________________________
Agazula (w/”The In Sound,” Music by Lorenzo Scott, Paul Spence, Sally Zito) [instrumental song] (2009)
(No animals were exploited in the making of this track. All animal sounds were performed by members of the band.)
“The In Sound” was Lorenzo Scott on drums, Paul Spence on bass and Sally Zito on Keyboards.
Recorded at: Hollywood, CA
____________________________________________________________
12 Inch Astronaut (w/”The In Sound,” Music by Lorenzo Scott, Paul Spence, Sally Zito) [instrumental song] (2009)
“The In Sound” was Lorenzo Scott on drums, Paul Spence on bass and Sally Zito on Keyboards.
Recorded at: Hollywood, CA
____________________________________________________________
Nomad (w/”The In Sound,” Music by Lorenzo Scott, Paul Spence, Sally Zito) [instrumental song] (2009)
“The In Sound” was Lorenzo Scott on drums, Paul Spence on bass and Sally Zito on Keyboards.
Recorded at: Hollywood, CA
____________________________________________________________
Saved (Livingroom Recording) [song] (2009)
The longing of youth seems to have everything to do with escaping and being saved from some small town (or small town thinking), while the longing of age seems more to do with being saved from yourself and finding your way back home.
S.Zito on piano/synths/vocals, M. Pensabene on bass
Recorded at: Tabor Street, Los Angeles, CA
____________________________________________________________
Cheap & Alive (5-Song EP) (2007)
1. The Men Song (4:17)
Produced by Evan Frankfort.
___________________________________
2. Greenline (3:59)
Produced by Evan Frankfort.
___________________________________
3. Cheap & Alive (2:54)
Produced by Evan Frankfort and Philip Howard.
True story from my early youth, growing up in Las Vegas, and how my budding drug career ended at 15 yrs of age.
___________________________________
4. Best Intentions (3:38)
Produced by Evan Frankfort and Philip Howard.
Okay, okay, who hasn’t stalked someone once??
___________________________________
5. She’s Given In (4:39)
Produced by Evan Frankfort and Philip Howard.
Living with a mental illness is harder than most of us can imagine — trying to fit into society’s norms, trying to hide it every single day, all day long, and maybe just giving in when the hiding gets too hard…
Album Personnel: Engineered by Brian Vibbert/Mastered by Alan Yoshida at Ocean Way Studios, Hollywood, CA. Piano/Lead Vox:Sally Zito. Bckg Vox:Bonnie Zito & Tanya Winch. Addit. Vox: Philip Howard. Aco. Gtr & Addit. Elec. Gtrs: Barry Zito. Elec. Gtr, Lap-steel Gtr, Addit. Synths: Evan Frankfort. Upright Bass: Brady Steel. Elec. Bass: Audrey Wiechman. Drums:Anders Fransson & Luke Adams. Percusson: Tricia Steel. B3 Organ: Zac Rae. Choir:Kay Montgomery, Anna Montgomery, Audrey Weichman, Marcos Lopez-Iglesias, Greg Jamrok, Brandon Meyer, Philip Howard. Cover Art/Painting: Charlotte Dean. Graphic Design: Baumann & Associates.
Recorded at: Would Work Sound, Lake Arrowhead, CA and Sunset Plaza, Los Angeles, CA
____________________________________________________________
Cheap & Alive (Unreleased Tracks) (2007)
1. Desiree (4:37)
Produced by Evan Frankfort and Philip Howard.
This was originally recorded for the “Cheap & Alive” album and features an incredible, lush string arrangement by Producer Philip Howard.
______________________________
2. Schoolyard Ghosts (4:08)
Produced by Evan Frankfort.
___________________________________
3. Stunning (Possibly) (4:08)
Produced by Evan Frankfort.
Personnel: Engineered by Brian Vibbert/Mastered by Alan Yoshida at Ocean Way Studios, Hollywood, CA. Piano/Lead Vox:Sally Zito. Bckg Vox:Bonnie Zito & Tanya Winch. Aco. Gtr & Addit. Elec. Gtrs: Barry Zito. Elec. Gtr, Addit. Synths: Evan Frankfort. Upright Bass: Brady Steel. Elec. Bass: Audrey Wiechman. Drums:Anders Fransson & Luke Adams. Percusson: Tricia Steel. B3 Organ: Zac Rae. String arangement and recording: Philip Howard
Recorded at: Would Work Sound, Lake Arrowhead, CA and Sunset Plaza, Los Angeles, CA.
____________________________________________________________
The Center (for Matt) [song] (2006)
Recorded at: Ocean Way Studios, Hollywood, CA
____________________________________________________________
You Made it Real (Music by S.Zito/Lyrics by Roberta Zito) [song] (2006)
Pitched to 19 Ent. (American Idol) for end of season song contest. Such a treat to collaborate with my mama on this one.
Recorded at: Sunset Plaza, Los Angeles, CA
____________________________________________________________
211 – Piece for Nokia Flip Phone, Cow Bell & Percussion (as Palm & Jasper ) [instrumental song] (2006)
Written by Palm & Jasper (a/k/a S.Zito / M. Pensabene). Cow Bell & Percussion: M.Pensabene. Flip Phone: S.Zito
Recorded at: Culver City, CA
____________________________________________________________
After the Game (feat. Buzz Clifford on Guitar) [song] (2003)
Inspired by my multi-talented, athlete/musician brother, who made it to the Bigs and showed me things I had no business seeing. Featuring the great Buzz Clifford on guitar. Later pitched to HBO as the Theme Song for the show “Baseball Wives.”
Buzz Clifford on guitar, Chris Moore on drums, Dave Strauss on bckg vocals, Kevin engineering.
Recorded at: Lancaster, CA, by “Kevin.”
____________________________________________________________
Inaudible [song] (2002)
I got to work with guitar icon and grammy-nominated recording artist Jon Butcher (of the Jon Butcher Axis) on this tune, which he produced. Besides his incredible talent, he was additionally such an amazing, supportive and giving person. This track was just an initial idea track, and we didn’t end up finishing it, but what he added was so tasteful, I fell in love with it. On top of that, this was the first song I ever wrote under the tutelage of my long-time songwriting/lyric-writing mentor, Harriet Schock (grammy-nominated multi-platinum songwriter). I have to say this was an exciting time for me!
Produced by Jon Butcher.
Recorded at: the Electric Factory, Los Angeles, CA.
____________________________________________________________
Who I Am [song] (2001)
Why is being our true self one of the hardest things we can ever do?
Big thanks to Philip Howard for bringing this song to life in a way that only he can. 💖 Arranged, orchestrated and produced by Philip Howard. All instruments: P.Howard; Vocals: S.Zito
Recorded at: Formosa Street, Los Angeles, CA
____________________________________________________________
Come With Me (for Synth Orchestra and 3 Voices) [song] (2000)
Written for live performance at T.I.C.’s 2000 Spiritual Grand Seminar.
Recorded at: Formosa Street, Los Angeles, CA
____________________________________________________________
Hot Chick SloMo – Cue from the Movie “A Schizo’s Love Story” [score] (2000)
“A Schizo’s Love Story” was directed by Rob Frenkel.
Recorded at: Sycamore Street, Los Angeles, CA
____________________________________________________________
Travolta-ish Walking Montage – Cue from the Movie “A Schizo’s Love Story” [score] (2000)
“A Schizo’s Love Story” was directed by Rob Frenkel.
Recorded at: Sycamore Street, Los Angeles, CA
____________________________________________________________
News Theme – Source Cue from the Movie “A Schizo’s Love Story” [score] (2000)
Anyone who has written for film has at some point had to write a news theme. Here’s mine. (FYI, these cues don’t have endings because they are just placed in for a set amount of seconds and cut off for another scene, so there is no point to write an ending).
“A Schizo’s Love Story” was directed by Rob Frenkel.
Recorded at: Sycamore Avenue, Los Angeles, CA
____________________________________________________________
Main Title Theme from the Movie “Outside These Walls” [score] (1999)
Conducting at Steven Spielberg was quite special. The acoustics in the room were heavenly, and the stage was so large we only took up a quarter of it, including the grand piano. What a treat!
“Outside These Walls” directed by Celia. Viola: unnamed; Synths: unnamed; Piano: S.Zito. Cond. by S. Zito.
Recorded at: Steven Spielberg Soundstage, Los Angeles, CA
____________________________________________________________
They’re Coming / End Title from the movie “Outside These Walls” [score] (1999)
“Outside These Walls” directed by Celia. Viola: unnamed; Synths: unnamed; Piano: S.Zito. Cond. by S. Zito.
Recorded at: Steven Spielberg Soundstage, Los Angeles, CA
____________________________________________________________
End Title/Credits from the Movie “Flowers” [score] (1999)
This was for someone’s student film at USC Film School. I delivered the score but wasn’t at the dubbing session. I assumed my timing notes on where to place the music (i.e., what frame each cue starts on) were fine since I did not hear otherwise. When I went to the screening, the directer had placed all of the cues in completely different places than what I had written for. That was a surprise! I was never sure if she thought that’s what I had intended, or if she just decided to change it. But as long as she liked it, that is all that mattered. 🙂 I only really liked the End Title so that’s all I’m posting.
“Flowers” was directed by: Unnamed
Recorded at: Sycamore Street, Los Angeles, CA
____________________________________________________________
Veils Cue [score] (1999)
This was used in a comedic (satirical) cable TV show.
Recorded at: Sycamore Avenue, Los Angeles, CA
____________________________________________________________
Dark Fantasy Cue – Elfman Style [score] (1999)
Who doesn’t love Danny Elfman?? I certainly tried to emulate him a bit in this one.
Requested on spec for cable TV show.
Recorded at: El Cajon, CA
____________________________________________________________
Techno Cue [score] (1999)
I was asked to write a a minute of techno in the style of Fat Boy Slim. I had to look them up and study them a little. I came up with this.
Recorded at: Sycamore Avenue, Los Angeles, CA
____________________________________________________________
Spanish Waltz Cue [score] (1999)
Castanets! And, an organ solo that I had to record at 15% of the ACTUAL tempo to get it right. I normally would challenge myself to build my chops, but I recall a tight timeline so you gotta do what you gotta do. No shame!
Requested on spec for cable TV show.
Recorded at: Sycamore Street, Los Angeles, CA
____________________________________________________________
Guitar Mock-up Cues [score] (1999)
These next 3 mock-ups were requested on spec and would have sounded way better with the guitar they were envisioned for, but these were just to show the director basic theme ideas. He was looking for a Ry Cooder feel and I could not deliver that on synth. Director went another direction, so this is as far as they will ever get!
Driving, Not Speaking
7/4 Muted Guitar
Elec. Guitar Mock-Up
Director: unnamed.
Recorded at: Sycamore Avenue, Los Angeles, CA
____________________________________________________________
Colonizing Outer Space – Cue [score] (1999)
Requested on spec for cable TV show.
Recorded at: Sycamore Avenue, Los Angeles, CA
____________________________________________________________
Electronica Cue [score] (1999)
Requested on spec for cable TV show.
Recorded at: Sycamore Avenue, Los Angeles, CA
____________________________________________________________
Action Cue [score] (1998)
This was written for an open-call to pitch to the long-running cable TV show “Scorpion”
Recorded in home studio at: Gardner Street, El Cajon, CA
____________________________________________________________
Cross Country [score] (1998)
I lived in Boston and got to see the Omnimax (Imax) Theater movies all the time. They had a sequence of visuals they would show at the beginning of every movie, and it was astoundingly beautiful. The camera was in a helicopter flying over New England, and you’d get butterflies with motion since the screen was dome shaped and it truly seemed like you were riding in a helicopter. The sweeping view of farms and fields and hills were breathtaking and realistic, and the scene would change on a dime as the helicopter would turn sharply to fly over a mountain range, or suddenly fly over a cliff where a valley below would be revealed. The music was also fantastic, and the orchestration would change on a dime. I wondered if I could write like that — where the musical theme is continuous, but the instrumentation changes on a dime to suit different landscapes. So, I gave myself an assignment and wrote/orchestrated a mock-up “cue” to the New England scenes I could remember from the Omnimax. This was back before samples sounds were used in synthesizers, so apologies if it sounds like a bunch of harmonicas.
Recorded at: El Cajon, CA
____________________________________________________________
Main Title Theme from the Movie “Wishful Thinking” [score] (1997)
This was my first real non/school film and thank God that Philip Howard, colleague and fellow composer, was willing to help me by recording all of the music, including arranging and co-writing cues. This established a lifelong friendship and collaboration between us. Philip is an incomparable composer (THE RIGHT SOUND, INC.), producer, and performer and I continue to work with him every chance I get.
“Wishful Thinking” was directed by Anthony Hania. Score recorded and performed by Philip Howard of THE RIGHT MUSIC.
Recorded at: Huntington Avenue, Boston, MA
____________________________________________________________
Silences (School Project) [score] (1997)
The final project at Berklee as a Film Scoring major was to score a short film, requiring about 10 minutes of music. We would have to contract the players, compose the score, write out the score and ALL the parts (for a small orchestra, this could take 48 hours without sleep as it was all written by hand), then of course, conduct the session. Mine didn’t go so well … I had been up close to a week without sleep and could not get all my parts copied. It was a nightmare session for me. Some of the players didn’t even take the money I’d left for them on their music stands, because they felt bad for me. It was utterly humiliating for me. But, it was the best lesson I learned in all of my college years. Never ONCE after that was I unprepared for a music assignment. That is worth the humiliation. A year later, just to memorialize some of the themes I had come up with for the film, I recorded this condensed version of the 10 minute score in my home studio using only Kurzweil keyboards — not nearly as good as it would be with live players, but better than nothing.
Recorded at: Berklee College of Music Film Scoring Studio. Engineered by “Fred” (of course)
____________________________________________________________
Artie-Montage – Cue from the Movie “Wishful Thinking” [score] (1997)
Produced, recorded by and co-written with Philip Howard.
Recorded at: Huntington Avenue, Boston, MA
____________________________________________________________
TV Sit-Com Theme (School Project) [score] (1996)
We had to score a sit-com main title theme to picture. Mine was to the opening of “NURSES.” To me, the BEST JOB, the FUNNEST JOB, is to be a TV sit-com theme song writer – you get to write a 90 second piece full of hooks — just the good stuff!
Keyboard: Sal Lopilato; Guitar: J.C.; Bass: unnamed; Drums: unnamed; Sax: Frank Bozak; Vocals and conducting: S. Zito
Recorded at: Berklee College of Music, Boston, MA
____________________________________________________________
Short Piece for Piano, Saxophone, and Trumpet [instrumental piece] (1995)
My favorite part of this recording is the end, where you can hear George Monseur, beloved among his conducting students, say, “Nice, Sally!” in that special world-traveled voice so many conductors have. Miss you, George.
Performed by Berklee Ensemble (piano, sax, tpt). Conducted by S. Zito
Recorded at Berklee College of Music, Boston, MA.
____________________________________________________________
If It’s Time (Live Performance by Joseph and Roberta Zito) [song] (1994)
Elec. Piano: Joseph Zito; Vocal: Roberta Zito
There is no higher honor than having someone else perform music I’ve written, except one: to have my own endlessly talented mother and father perform this piece in concert.
Recorded live in concert at: Lemon Grove, CA
____________________________________________________________
Gregorian Chant (School Project) [instrumental piece] (1993)
This was a fun project to do at Berklee. We had to orchestrate a Gregorian Chant of our choice. Gregorian Chants of the 11th century had no instruments, just voices, often only in unison, so there was a lot of freedom in choosing the harmony. And of course, trying to get a handle on orchestration principals all the while (first timpani roll!).
Recorded at: Hull Street, Boston, MA
____________________________________________________________
Pizz (Orchestral Writing Experiment) [instrumental piece] (1993)
I wrote a series of self-prescribed tutorials on orchestration, like this theme that I wrote for no other reason than to apply different orchestration principals I was learning. I treated it various ways, with different tempos/different instruments in the foreground, etc., but this version I liked best.
Recorded at: Hull Street, Boston, MA
____________________________________________________________
Tragedy (Orchestral Writing Experiment) [instrumental piece] (1992)
My understanding of orchestration was very minimal early on, so this is kind of a wall of synth sounds, but a necessary step in my learning.
Recorded in home studio at: Hull Street, Boston, MA
____________________________________________________________
Horsey Whoa – Live Band Improvisation (w/”Cyrus Meadows”) [song] (1989)
A spur of the moment improvisational band piece with John Mullen, an exceptional drummer, CHOOSING to play the drum machine, and me singing ridiculous things while Dave hits the “record” button and strums his guitar. What a time…
Cyrus Meadows was: Dave Jass on guitar and vocals, John Mullen drums and drum machines, Sally Zito on keyboards and vocals
Recorded at: Banker Hill, San Diego, CA
____________________________________________________________
Lost Boy [song] (1987)
3rd song I ever wrote, at 17 years old. There were surely better writers my age; however, I did write, arrange, and play everything on the recording, so at least I was … brave?? Oh, yeah, and obsessed with The Lost Boys movie.
Recorded at: Soundtrack Studios, New York, NY, by generous and encouraging pros.
____________________________________________________________