Music Of The Stars – Article by James Fink

“Elvis, Tom Jones, Tina Turner, Aretha Franklin will be on stage at Batavia Downs.

All are key segments of a diverse setlist by the seven-member “Music of the Stars” ensemble that’s scheduled to play Saturday, March 23 at Batavia Downs’ Park Place Event Center. The concert is set to begin at 7:30 p.m.

For the Rochester-based “Music of the Stars,” the show marks the fourth time in as many years that they have played at Batavia Downs – selling out each of the previous concerts. “Batavia Downs – the audience and the entire staff – treat us like gold,” said Fabian Provenza, the band’s drummer. “It is a special place.”

Besides Provenza, other band members include Willie Lopez on bass, guitar player Mark Belestra, keyboardists Karl LaPorta and Peter Riccardi and singers Frank Shrout and Terese Lott. Songs include hits from the likes of Elvis,  Neil Diamond, Etta James and Whitney Houston.

“We consider it a multi-artist tribute,” Provenza said. Song selection aside, the band feeds off of the crowd’s energy. “We love to entertain people and that shows in our chemistry on stage,” Provenza said.