~ Cristo - a Biography ~"The most beautiful gift in the world is giving a piece of yourself to others.
At the age of only 1 year old, he found a gift on his birthday; a guitar. This lone instrument introduced music into his world. Though at the time, he didn't know the talent he possessed, nor did he know what was ahead of him. Cristo showed off his interest in music all throughout his family households. His parents and relatives would often sing and play music on their stereos throughout the day. As a young boy, he picked up songs quickly and would sing whenever his little heart desired. Soon enough, at the age of 3 years he got a taste for performing with family, and their friends. They would shine the spotlight on him as he sang at weddings and functions. As he grew up Canadian-Italian, there were many weddings and functions he would attend and be performing at. With half-pieced (parts of songs) performances, little Cristo charmed the crowds. He also made a little pocket-change. His family held his money in trust to dedicate and put towards his education and music journey. Cristo would choose songs that he heard his father and mother singing throughout the day. As he was eager to please them, he would learn those songs and try to sing them better than they did. He would pick up certain lyrics that he felt were meant for him to sing, and sing those songs to his parents. As loving parents, they would caringly critique his songs and performances, in order to better his passion. As a child, Cristo was not alone for very long. He was blessed with a brother, Nicola (Nick) Crudo - born October 24th, 1977. Cristo had discovered his new best friend; his brother. As they grew up together, Cristo discovered what his brother enjoyed in music. This opened up Cristo's ears to new styles and genres of music. Throughout his childhood he was influenced by the styles of Elvis Presley, The Beatles, Paul Anka, Frank Sinatra, Dean Martin, Nicola Di Bari, Louie Prima, Lou Monte, The Bee Gees, Abba, The Beach Boys, The Everly and Righteous Brothers, Neil Diamond, Simon & Garfunkel, and the list goes on... In his teens, he took music classes in school. Some of the places of instruction at which he educated himself: 1980 - 1981: Alberta College (Reading & Writing Music) He also enjoyed private lessons: Voice: Heather Bedford-Clooney - classical style Cristo used his talent and skills in public, through local family restaurants. An often appreciative audience was a way to develop his confidence in live performing - especially when a young boy could put a smile on their faces. He also understood there was a lot of work to do - musically - in his journey.
At the age of 15, Cristo started performing in his home town of Edmonton, Alberta in different areas and venues around the city. He would make his presence known doing weddings, singing half Italian, half English ballads. However, he would predominantly perform in restaurants, to which the captive audiences would hear him sing his heart out. Eventually, Cristo joined music classes, and singing choirs, as well as frequently entering talent competitions. Cristo also learned alto saxophone, which opened up his styles to jazz and big band sounds. He further expanded his art form musically into drama, and eventually took up acting in musical theatre. He would perform in local festivals, such as: John Cabot Day (Giovanni Caboto Day Festival) and Klondike Days. These festivals introduced him to performance in front of large crowds. "Cristo is a crooner with a modern twist." Ann Armstrong. He would often sing a couple of songs for which he started to get recognition around the city of Edmonton. Songs such as "Pesce Frita Bacala" ("Lazy Mary" in English) - Louie Monte, and "That's Amore" - Dean Martin. "I figure I must have sung these songs at least ten thousand times," says Cristo. These would become his signature performance songs. Cristo would often sing English and Italian love ballads, for countless people and guests. He would often get inspiration by listening to and watching the styles and songs of the "Rat Pack" (Sinatra, Martin, Davis, Jr., Bishop, and Lewis). "Everyone I sing for is important to me. It's their heart I am after - one, or one thousand at a time." At 27, Cristo opened his own restaurant in Penticton, British Columbia. Scampi's Bistro Italiano was his new forum in which people could listen to his music any day of the week. He dedicated his singing to the restaurant. At this point, he was testing out the market for response to his musical styles. By appealing to his regular audience, the approach made it easier to know their taste in music in that particular setting. Cristo often performed as many tunes as he could in between cooking and serving. He would frequently sing to guests as they asked for a song. He would be more than happy to perform one or two numbers for them.
With every special event or promotion he set up in the restaurant, he would attract the media and incorporate his musical style in his promotions. This would turn out to be successful for him, and the restaurant. As well, he worked hand in hand with businesses, and non-profit organizations, raising awareness for their related causes. This was when Cristo had the idea that if he had some sort of recorded album that he could sell to the public, he could support his passion while offering people a memento of their experience in his restaurant.
This was his first taste of the business side of his music career. Cristo did his own market research to this project, and started to work with producers, recording artists, musicians, and other studio and music industry people. His first studio experience was at RMG in Kelowna, British Columbia. This was where he started to co-produce with Trance Blackman. He found a musical and sound connection with Trance, and continues to work with him to this day.
Cristo then came up with a 3 song CD. He submitted this CD to the New York International Music Festival, to which only 200 recording artists - selected from around the world - were able showcase their talents in New York's Madison Square Gardens, and clubs around the city. Cristo was accepted along with two other recording artists from the Okanagan in British Columbia. One, his producer Trance Blackman, the other Carly Thomas, "The Gypsy Butterfly." The trio worked together on their repertoire as they hit the Big Apple to shine their talent. Shortly afterwards, Cristo was invited to perform at Toronto's Paramount Wonderland, for his Italian style, at the Lombardi Music Festival. He sang in front of the largest crowd thus far, at an estimated 10,000 people. This festival was televised, and broadcast on the radio throughout Toronto and southern Ontario. He opened up with a song he wrote, "Bella" which was well received.
Cristo also performed at smaller venues, locally, for events including Canada Day and non-profit organization festivals. At this point, he still owned and managed his restaurant. By being hands-on in the operation, he found it increasingly difficult to pursue more distant musical endeavours. Until he was free of the restaurant responsibilities, he was limited to partaking in local and regional events, concerts, and festivals. He worked on new material in the recording studio, while pursuing theatre and film interests. This kept his internal flame burning. Cristo then sold his restaurant. His interests of singing and acting took him to Vancouver, British Columbia. He worked as a background performer with Keystone Productions, an international extra acting film placement company. He did some work on the blockbuster Fantastic 4, as well as TV/Film series True Calling. At this point, Cristo had met some celebrities, getting some good advice for his acting and musical journeys.
He was on the road, getting started with is passions, freely. He was asked to audition for Davinci's Inquest, a successful Canadian TV series, when he received disturbing news from his home town of Edmonton. This would hit the most precious cord to his heart. His mother had already been fighting cancer for seven years, but was told she had six months to live. Cristo dropped his passions and selfish aspirations so he could spend time with his mother, and in his eyes, the most beautiful lady that gave him life. His mother was a huge part of his life. She was the only one, in his eyes, that knew everything about him; his dreams, his passions, his loves, his good and bad qualities. Cristo knew that he wasn't the best son in the world, but he also knew that he had the best mother for him; his angel. He moved back to Edmonton, where he found a full-time serving position, so he could keep his mind off music and film pursuits, and focus on his mother, and family. Unfortunately, Cristo lost his mother to cancer on March 18th, 2005. She passed away at the young age of 53, losing the battle to Lupus and Leukemia. This was Cristo's all-time lowest point. One month after his mother's passing, Cristo attended church, where he heard the harmony of the choir. This sparked a little flame for his musical passion that he had extinguished since moving away from Vancouver. He had the idea to dedicate his musical journey to his mother by giving a portion of all his sales of merchandise, live performances and CDs to the Cross Cancer institute. The Institute had exhausted their efforts in researching his mother's cancer, however they had extended her life much longer than was expected. The benefit CD was a compilation of songs he'd recorded before his mother had passed. Very quickly, he sold nearly 2000 CDs. Partial proceeds go directly into the Art Medicine and Therapy Faculty, where Cristo believes that if his mother brought him into this world with a gift and a talent, that he would leave this world dedicating this gift to her. Cristo believes strongly in raising as much awareness and research for cancer. From his campaigning he has caught the eyes and ears of many people in Edmonton. He has since dubbed the project the "Eternal Strength" campaign. He's garnered support from many people, a lot of family, restaurants, non-profit organizations, and special event coordinators. He has branched out his distribution centers through his website and links: HMV
With this exposure, he's attracted a major television news broadcast, Global TV & News, and the eye of Linda Steele, news anchor. Global News did a special segment on a 6 o'clock news hour, which was broadcast nationally. Cristo has now associated himself with SOCAN, CMRRA, CRIA, Indie Pool, and as such has also been further educating himself in the music business. Cristo now working with local studios, vocal coaches and arrangers, special event coordinators, and non-profit organizations. As well, he is trying to attract a major sponsor for his campaign. He is selecting both English and Italian songs, and constructing another album with which he hopes to make a long-term impact by touring festivals, regionally and abroad. Once he feels comfortable with his project, "Eternal Strength", he will proceed to raise awareness and research funding through performances in a city near you. Cristo's schedule in 2007 & 2008 will be extremely busy, performing and getting the message of his campaign out to the public. He is asking for those who wish to take part in his campaign, on any level, to contact him as soon as possible. 1-780-289-1086 Cristo brings his music to a new level. At the age of 33, he's just getting started, giving the public his "Rat Pack" style with a twist. He now unleashes his passion for music for us to appreciate life in this moment for all that it offers us in this lifetime; to appreciate one another, respect one another; that the only battle worth fighting for is to live life to its fullest. Click HERE to Download PDF version of BIO. |
Born October 14th, 1972, in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada, Cristofaro (Cristo) Nicola Crudo was raised in an Italian family. His parents are Giuseppe and (in loving memory) Mirella Crudo. Cristo was welcomed into this world with love, music, and many personalities. 
His efforts quickly sold 300 CDs of his first recorded album. Cristo always incorporated his music into his forum where he was working, with reputable and credible non-profit organizations. This success inspired him to get more involved with the music business itself, as he wanted to educate himself, and create more music and albums. More importantly, he wanted to generate more exposure. 
