Pioneer Press, Feb. 25, 2004

Steady path leads singer to 'Circles'

BY JENNIFER OLVERA

It's never too late to pursue your dreams. That's a lesson Franklin Park resident Jules Cuomo learned in his early 30s.

Although he's an advertising coordinator by day, he devotes his nights and weekends to the pursuit of true love. Singing, songwriting and music making, that is.

Now, he's releasing an independent CD, titled "Slipping In & Out of Other's Circles," following an earlier CD and a tape.

"It all started out as a bit of a fluke," Cuomo recalled. "I hadn't seen my cousin, Nick Coppola, for years. At the age of 22, I happened to be by his house while he was playing guitar. It looked like so much fun."

Cuomo hightailed it out of there after borrowing a guitar and a lesson book, and made the decision to begin taking lessons. He's been studying at Wilson Music in Franklin Park ever since.

Four years after his initial revelation, teacher Jack Wilson, an Elk Grove resident, added a recording studio to his music biz, and Cuomo started laying down tracks.

Although Cuomo considers his early recordings amateur at best, the experience was a valuable one. He not only learned his way around the studio but he got up the nerve to take voice lessons at Stacey De & Co. in Lombard three years ago. As he gained momentum, Cuomo began crooning at gatherings like the Oak Park Avenue Sidewalk Sale.

"I wanted to become the best singer, performer and songwriter I could be, and this seemed like the next logical step," Cuomo said. "One thing is for sure: after taking vocal lessons, I have a new respect for the craft of singing. I've learned that, in order to sing well, you have to use your entire body. When I compare my current record to earlier ones, there is such a dramatic difference."

In addition to his solo endeavors, Cuomo helped form band the Word on the Street with cousin Coppola and drummer Jeff Wayne. In addition to playing original tunes at small local clubs, the band incorporates a range of rock and blues favorites in its set list.

"Jules really has grown as a musician, writer and performer," Wilson said. "While he might have begun with limited skills, today he knows his way around the guitar and writes lyrics that really stick with you."

Cuomo's draws lyrical inspiration from the world around him, resulting in work that has been described as both humorous and spiritual. His sound is lighthearted, guitar-based and approachable.

"I'm a practicing Catholic, but it's never my goal to get it someone's face about my beliefs," he said. "I really just want my music to be something that makes sense to other people. I want it to be something they can relate to."

Among the tunes on his latest release are "So Much to Do," a song about the true meaning of Christmas, "The Great One," a piece about how, on "The Honeymooners," wife Alice loves Ralph no matter how much he screws up, and "A Nice Groupie Girl," a tasteful jam about female followers.

"A lot of his songs revolve around his own personal experiences," Wilson said. "While they might sound funny upon first listen -- and believe me, they are -- there's a lot more to them once you scratch the surface."

Jules Cuomo will perform songs from his latest album at a number of upcoming Borders stores, including Friday and April 9 at 1 N. La Grange Road, La Grange; April 2 at 7100 W. Forest Preserve Drive, Norridge; and April 17 at 1144 Lake St., Oak Park. All performances are at 8 p.m. and are free of charge. His latest album will be available during appearances or can be obtained by e-mailing the artist at jucuomo@aol.com.