Tom Spinoza

Tom Spinoza, born in San Francisco, California, is of American Sicilian ancestry. A long time orchestra leader & songwriter, he played the trumpet, saxophone, drums, clarinet & piano, which led him to founding one of the very first record labels in existence, the S.F. based Cavalier Records. He recorded and produced such legends as Merv Griffin, The Lettermen, Nick Lucas, Stan Wilson, Harry Belafonte, Bob Ingram, etc, and most recently, released Vikki Lizzi & iconic Movie & TV actor Jeff Conaway's (Grease, Taxi) 2007 album "Saints & Sinners" by Vikki & Kenickie on the Cavalier Label on Itunes.. He wrote the Official 49ers Fight Song in 1982 and that same year recorded & produced his daughter Victoria Elizabeth Spinoza, who wrote the Official Cable Car Song of San Francisco, endorsed by then Mayor Dianne Feinstein and the Board of Supervisors, and donated all proceeds to saving SF's beloved Cable Cars which were close to seeing their extinction. He co-wrote the English version to the famous Philippine song "Dahil Sa Iyo" (Because of You), recorded by Cora & Santos Beloy and famously sung by former First Lady Imelda Marcos on her balcony after her husband, Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos had passed away. In 1975 Tom presented Louis Armstrong with Best Artist Award. Tom is a former Lieutenant Commander in the U.S. Navy and served bravely & passionately during a 3 year hitch in Vietnam. He later became a legendary political figure in S.F., endorsed by 3 U.S. Presidents, Gerald Ford, Richard Nixon and Ronald Reagan in his run for office and was the U.S. Congressional & Senatorial nominee in '74 & '78, at which time Pres.Reagan assigned him to the prestigious "Presidential Task Force" and appointed Tom to the State Building Standards Commission. An immigration & entertainment attorney, he worked for over a decade with former San Francisco D.A. Arlo Smith. Tom, also a member of SAG, acted in films such as " The Gunfighters", and played the mob boss in both "Dragon Fight" & Raul Zaragoza". Tom was also President of San Francisco's famous annual "Latin American Fiesta" and was married to former S.F. socialite Shirley Brewer. They have 2 children, Victoria Elizabeth Spinoza & Jay Luna. Always fondly labeled... the "Man of Many Hats".