Richie Cannata

Richie Cannata (born March 5, 1948 in New York City ) is an American record producer and rock musician , best known as the longtime saxophonist of Billy Joel .

Career

Cannata studied piano and clarinet and also learned the flute , keyboard and saxophone . From 1975 to 1981 he was a member of the Billy Joel Band and after his departure he opened the Cove City Sound Studios in Glen Cove , New York , where he produced albums by Celine Dion , Jennifer Lopez and Marc Anthony , among others . He has also worked on productions by Phoebe Snow , Rita Coolidge , Corey Hart and Tommy Shaw . With the latter he also wrote the theme music for the film Remo - Unarmed and Dangerous . He also took on a role in the comedy Slaves of New York in 1989 .

In the 1990s, Cannata took part in some tours and recordings of the Beach Boys , for which he played the saxophone, woodwind instruments and synthesizers . In 1999 he appeared as a guest musician at Billy Joel's Millennium Concert , which was finally released on CD under the name 2000 Years - The Millennium Concert . In 2006 he returned to the Billy Joel Band and participated, among other things, on the live album 12 Gardens Live , which is a compilation of twelve sold out concerts in Madison Square Garden in New York City .

personal data
SURNAME	Cannata, Richie
BRIEF DESCRIPTION	American rock musician and record producer
DATE OF BIRTH	March 5, 1948
PLACE OF BIRTH	New York City , New York , USA