Summer Sessions » Nicky Siano

Nicky Siano is a pioneer of the dance music scene in the early seventies. He was the owner/designer/DJ of the legendary seventies dance palace THE GALLERY, a club that inspired The Garage and Studio 54, for which he was one of the original DJ's. He inspired and launched the careers of Grace Jones, D.C. La Rue, Loleatta Holloway, Larry Levan and Frankie Knuckles. His recent party at TWELVE WEST, 1999-2002, was heralded by New York Magazine, The Village Voice, Time Out, Hx, Next, Flyer, DJ Times and Paper Magazine as the party of the year.

Nicky's career began in 1971 and within one year, at the age of seventeen, he opened his own club, THE GALLERY. The NY Daily News named him "the city's best DJ," Women's Wear Daily called him "a genius behind the turntables," and New York Magazine called his club, The Gallery, "one of the five most visually breathtaking nightspots of our time." Grace Jones and Loleatta Holloway both made their debut appearances at his legendary nightspot.

It was no coincidence that when Steve Rubelle opened Studio 54 he chose Nicky as one of the two original DJ's. Continuing his work at The Gallery on the weekends, Nicky weaved his magic during the week at many legendary clubs, including Le Jardin, The Grand Ballroom, Galaxy 21, The Limelight, Enchanted Gardens, Hurrah, The Botel, The Buttermilk Bottom and, of course, Studio 54. In 1977, he became the first DJ to produce a record-- the underground classic "Kiss Me Again" on Sire Records, which went on to sell more than 300,000 copies.

In 1983, Nicky produced and wrote the top ten--dance classic "Pick It Up." From 1984 until 1998, Nicky worked with people with AIDS. He wrote the best selling AIDS manual "No Time to Wait" in 1993. To this day, Nicky considers his work with PWA's his most important work. In July of 1998, at Danny Krivit's request, Fracois K. called him and asked if he would be the guest DJ at the hottest party that year: Body and Soul's celebration of Larry Levan's Birthday. A fitting appearance, since Nicky was the person to launch Larry into DJ stardom. That one-time appearance was so sensational, the offers flooded in, and Nicky returned to music full time. Since then he has played records steadily, all over the world. His touring increases year after year, with annual visits to Australia, Germany, London, Dublin, Russia, Lithuania, and Japan.

From 1999-2001 he also ran the smash hit party, TWELVE WEST in New York, at Cheetah, once again causing magazines to rave, calling it the "party of the year." In 2004, Soul Jazz Records released the first "Gallery Compilation," which is an historic package that includes rare photos and narration by Nicky. Critical and individual acclaim has moved "Gallery Compilation" to must-have status by DJs and fans alike. Filled with rare, early seventies funk and soul hits, impossible to find before now, and reproduced with 24Bit mastering, for superior vinyl and CD sets.

Inspira Records was started in 2004 by Siano, with its first release "Smoking it" by Automagic becoming a dance floor staple at the Loft and many other major clubs around the world. The record label also produced A Night at the Gallery, a movie which was shot at The Gallery. Since his return, Siano has mixed "Believe In Yourself" by Melissa Morgan, "I'm Comin'" by Taana Gardner, "Pillow Talk" by Jazzhole, "Tiger Stripes 2000" by Nicky Siano, "Smoking It" by Automagic and "Love Serenade" by Marlon Saunders. He produced the CD, "Live My Life," the new "Kiss Me Again" was released February 14, 2006, and his new song "Power of Love" is currently available at http://www.axisofdance.com.

http://www.nickysiano.com