Phoenix & Dragon Recruits New Vocalist Danny Aiello

Arizona's Phoenix & Dragon has announced the recruitment of a new singer to the band's lineup. Classically-trained Danny Aiello will debut with the group at The Blooze Bar in Phoenix on October 17th.

“People who’ve been following us for the last few years might not realize that our music has lyrics,” said founding member and lyricist Teddy Arunski. “We’ve been looking for a singer since 2012, but it wasn’t until we were introduced to Danny that we felt we’d found someone with the talent and training to keep up with the rest of the band.”

Aiello, who is a vocal instructor at The School of Rock in Gilbert, AZ, has a wide range of musical influences, but what sets him apart is his love of opera and his classical training, which has given his voice extended range and power. After studying with tenor Augusto Paglialunga, Aiello began landing leading roles in musicals around Phoenix and became the youngest member of the Arizona Opera chorus in the 2013-14 season.

Although he’s a trained opera singer, Aiello has been compared to Axl Rose and Bruce Dickinson when singing rock. “I may be a student of opera, but I’m also hugely influenced by bands like Guns ‘N Roses, Van Halen, Kamelot, Metallica, and Queensryche. My two favorite singers are Freddie Mercury and Pavarotti.”

Aiello was introduced to Phoenix & Dragon by Zeus Von Larm, the noted Phoenix-based musician and bon vivant. “I keep an eye on Craigslist to see if there are any interesting musicians to jam and record with,” said Von Larm. “If I run into someone I think is a fit for a band I know about, I try to make a connection. In this case, it was a perfect fit.”

The band recently recorded several tracks at Ghost Town Studios in Jerome, and Aiello is scheduled to lay down vocal tracks in the coming weeks. In addition to the October 17th gig at The Blooze Bar, Phoenix & Dragon has upcoming gigs playing with The Ryche at 910Live in Tempe on October 18th and at The Rockin Horse Saloon in Prescott Valley on October 25th.