Music is a magical art form that can help us feel the joys and sorrows of life. It reminds us of the good times and comforts us in the hard times. Our favorite musicians become so important to us because of this. It can be so devastating when we can't see them play live.
One grandson in Italy made sure this did not happen to his beloved grandma. When she could no longer get out to see his jazz band, Cosimo and the Hot Coals, the band came to her. Franca, who is 94 years old, loves seeing her grandson, drummer Michele Capasso, play.
Cosimo and the Hot Coals posted on TikTok about the intimate serenade. The video has the message "Serenade for Nonna Franca" interlaid on top of the video. Nonna is Italian for grandma.
The video goes on to explain that Nonna Franca is “a 94 year old girl who loves us so much she would like to attend our live shows but she is no longer able to. That’s why sometimes we simply stop by to play a song for her. And every single time, her reaction is priceless.”
Nonna Franca is clearly moved in the video. She taps her feet to the beat. She tells the musicians, including grandson Michele, they are wonderful and talented.
At the end of their song, the jazz standard “When You’re Smiling,” she exclaims, “I am speechless. I am speechless. There are no words. You are amazing. You are too good.”
She goes on to say, “Thank you from the bottom of my heart, I mean it. I mean it. Thank you from the bottom of my heart. You are wonderful.”
The internet loves Nonna Franca. One user commented, “It’s so wonderful that you do this for her. What a gift! And thanks for sharing with us too .”
Another user agreed and took it a step further. “You guys are angels and have a fan for life in me. Her little no no no ,” they stated. Another summed it up as “the best thing” they have “seen in years .”
Cosimo and the Hot Coals is a five-piece jazz band based in Milan, Italy. Their repertoire ranges from New Orleans Hot Jazz to '20s and '30s swing. The band is made up of lead singer and trumpet player Cosimo Pignataro with Martin Di Pietro on the piano, Stefano Della Grotta on the guitar and banjo, Mirko Boles on the double bass, and Michele Capasso on the drums.
The group performs in many venues such as jazz clubs and swing festivals in Italy and beyond. They have a loyal following of Lindy Hop dancers. Their biggest fan by far, though, is Nonna Franca.
