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Show Preview: Dino Mannone at PS1

Dino Mannone

KRUI is excited to announce, through conjunction with “Theater of the Mind” that Dino and the Pocket Big Band will be performing live at Public Space One this Wednesday, September 19th at 10pm!

A figure both elusive and reclusive, Dino Mannone is a man who has just missed his big break throughout is career- just missing out on an opportunity to perform on “The Tonight Show” in 1983 being one of his more high-profile ‘almosts’. Blessed with a natural inclination to piano and voice, Dino got his start in 1978 as a keyboardist and backup singer for Crystal Grass’s debut album “Dance Up a Storm”.

His tenacious and bold style caught the eye of several executives, and a solo album was soon in the works, only to fall apart for lack of funds, lack of a band, and Dino’s struggles with addiction- a severe drunken spectacle at the set of “Tonight” scuttling any remaining sliver of hope for a ‘break out’ performance. He has bounced around the lounge and club scene, stints on Mississippi steamboat tours, choral director positions at various grade schools, for the better part of the last 20 years- until now!

There is something different about Dino now. The old fire seems to have returned, and we will be treated to a blazing and electric performance!

Jesse Marks, Lab Director at KRUI, has known Dino since he was a young saxophonist doing side-gigs at malls and restaurants in Sioux Falls.

“Dino ran a jazz ensemble at one of the clubs where I’d fill-in from time to time. He became a mentor to me and taught me a lot about swing and life. I really wanted to repay all the care and dedication he showed me with this concert; I hope he really goes for it and enjoys himself on Wednesday!”

The show begins at 10 and will feature the budding sensation Max and Kendall After Dark as an opening act, along with the Italian Futurist Robot Sextet. Admission is free, and, as per Dino’s request, “respectable threads” are preferred.


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