Senate Resolution No. 2390

BY: Senator BORRELLO

COMMENDING Bobby Previte upon the occasion of his
designation as the 2024 Italian American of the Year
by the New York Conference of Italian American State
Legislators

WHEREAS, From time to time this Legislative Body takes note of
certain extraordinary individuals it wishes to recognize for their
valued contributions to the success and progress of society and publicly
acknowledge their endeavors which have enhanced the basic humanity among
us all; and

WHEREAS, Attendant to such concern, and in full accord with its
long-standing traditions, this Legislative Body is justly proud to
commend Bobby Previte upon the occasion of his designation as the 2024
Italian American of the Year by the New York Conference of Italian
American State Legislators; and

WHEREAS, A composer and performer, Bobby Previte is one of the
seminal figures of the 1980s New York Downtown scene; his work has been
known to fall between rated and improvised music; and

WHEREAS, Leading a plethora of diverse ensembles, Bobby Previte has
collaborated with many renowned artists such as composer John Adams,
filmmaker Robert Altman, Jessi Colter, Albert Collins, Johnny Copeland
and Big John Patton, Steve Swallow, Lukas Foss, Charlie Hunter, Terry
Adams, Lejaren Hiller, The Rose Ensemble, Julius Eastman, John Lurie,
Sonny Sharrock, Victoria Williams, Iggy Pop and many others; and

WHEREAS, As a testament to his artistry, Bobby Previte was the
recipient of the 2015 Greenfield Prize for Music and a Guggenheim
Fellowship in 2012, as well as multiple awards for composition from the
NEA, NYFA, NYSCA, NY State Music Fund, and the American Music Center;
and

WHEREAS, Bobby Previte has been an artist-in-residence at the
Rockefeller Foundation in Bellaglo, Italy, Civitella Ranieri, The
Montaivo Arts Center, The Hermitage Artist Retreat, and nine times at
the MacDowell Colony; his original compositions have been recorded and
released on Sony, Eiektra, Nonesuch, Rykodisc, Cantaloupe, Palmetto, New
World, Ropeadope, Tzadik, Thirsty Ear, and Rarenoise; and

WHEREAS, Sharing his expertise with youth, Bobby Previte has
conducted master classes at Princeton University, the Eastman School of
Music, The New School, and New York University; he created the "Music
360 - The Improvisation Workshop," which is a five-day intensive session
produced by Hudson Hall in Hudson, New York; and

WHEREAS, Bobby Previte's recent work includes Terminals, released by
Cantaloupe Music; Mass, released by Rarenoise Records; Rhapsody,
released by Rarenoise; the 23 Constellations of Joan Miro; and
Blueprints; he was been endorsed by major publications such as The New
York Times, The Village Voice, The New Yorker, Gramophone, Downbeat,

Rolling Stone, The Penguin Musician's Guide, Glide Magazine, and The
Guardian; and

WHEREAS, It is the sense of this Legislative Body that when
individuals of such noble aims and accomplishments are brought to our
attention, they should be celebrated and recognized by all the citizens
of this great Empire State; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
commend Bobby Previte upon the occasion of his special designation as
the 2024 Italian American of the Year by the New York Conference of
American State Legislators; and

RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be
transmitted to Bobby Previte.