Louis Fanucchi

Louis Andrew Fanucchi was born on Jan. 4, 1962, in Lodi, Calif., the son of the late Lawrence G. Fanucchi and Jean A. (McNaughten) Fanucchi. The following year, his family moved to Mission Hills. A professional musician at the age of 15, Fanucchi studied classical accordion with the great master Anthony Galla-Rini and later in life, he took jazz lessons from the renowned Frank Marocco. Fanucchi also won numerous awards, among them, the National Accordion Virtuoso Competition in Colorado Springs when he was 16 years old and the International Accordion Grand Prix Competition in Los Angeles at the age of 20. In 1985, he earned a bachelor's degree in music from San Diego State University and began teaching accordion classes from beginner to advanced levels in addition to performing. “He played with world famous musicians," said klezmer violinist Yale Strom, a San Diego State University artist-in-residence and founder of Hot P’Stromi, a band Fanucchi performed with as a sideman for many years. Lou was known for accompanying international recording artists such as Luciano Pavarotti, The Gipsy Kings and Bette Midler. He was the first-call accordion player for the San Diego Symphony as well as first call for the San Diego Opera. He was considered by many as the greatest in his field, a virtuoso. His marriage to singer/songwriter and guitarist Roni Lee (Rhonda Ryckman) produced two children, Lauren and Dante Fanucchi, and he helped to raise his stepson, Adam Ryckman. They divorced in 2000 but remained friends. In 2013, Fanucchi released his third and most recent solo CD, “Café a la Mode,” a selection of Gypsy jazz, French tunes and original songs. Fanucchi’s musicianship and expansive repertoire made a profound and personal connection with audiences of all ages. Lou Fanucchi passed away unexpectedly in June, 2017. His legacy lives on in his children and his music.