Some left by deliberate choice, others out of sheer necessity.
Willy Melodia, a Sicilian piano player, was among the latter and relocated to New York. With its ceaseless din, the cars racing along its grand avenues, and money flowing in torrents, the metropolis shared nothing with Sicily except for the “comparuzzi” who controlled much of the country’s economic dealings and political intrigues. Sitting at his piano, Willy witnessed the exploits of Lucky Luciano, who took him under his wing, as well as Vito Genovese, Frank Costello, Al Capone, and so on. Willy had no part in the criminal schemes or ambitions of the comparuzzi; he simply lived a life determined by others, providing a soundtrack that was at once cheerful and poignant.
