Angelo Granata - Capo dei Tutti Capi
In
Loving Memory of the Legendary Capo Paranza
Written by Director‑Writer–Producer Tony De Nonno - June 13. 2001
In East Harlem on March 15, 1917, Angelo Granata,
the youngest of nine children was brought into the world by a mid‑wife to the
delight of his mother Annunziata and his father Antonio. His parents, along
with tens of thousands of their paesani born in the town of Brusciana, Italy
(located in the Campania region near Naples) established a strong community
between 106th and 108th Streets in East Harlem. From the 1880's to the
mid‑1960's East Harlem was home to the largest Italian American community in
America. With a quiet determination, these immigrants struggled to keep their
most treasured traditions alive in their new homeland. This was especially true
with a rite that was inaugurated in 1875 in Brusciana, Italy when a young
father, Francesco Vivolo made a vow to San Antonio that if his dying son were to
survive, he would Dance a Giglio in his honor. At the turn of the century,
prior to Angelo Granata's birth, the immigrants of Brusciana, Italy kept
Francesco Vivolo's vow alive by establishing "O Giglio di Parulano," the Dance
of the Giglio tradition in East Harlem. No one at the time realized that over
the next six decades this baby named Angelo would become one of the greatest
inspirations of this ancient rite known as the "Giglio di San Antonio" in
America.
As Angelo grew so too did his special passion for this glorious ritual. In 1947, determined to stand above the fray, the 30‑year‑old Angelo Granata established himself as a great leader in the East Harlem tradition by overseeing the building of ‘his' first Giglio on 106th Street – which kept this glorious tradition alive. In the mid‑fifties, when the Dancing of the Giglio no longer became tenable on 106th Street, it was Angelo Granata who took the helm and brought the tradition to 108th Street in 1957, where it endured under his leadership until 1971. His love for 'oou‑jeel' tradition was ageless and timeless.
If there was one moment which symbolizes Angelo Granata's great leadership as a Capo Paranza, it was an event that took place during the early 1960's. In the middle of the East Harlem feast, Angelo Granata stunned the throngs of thousands by handpicking - 32 lifters and assigning just eight men to the four corners of the Giglio. Angelo called out "Musica!" Phil Caccavale and his legendary band, including its lead singer, Tuddy Ferrara burst into a jubilant Italian folk song which inspired these chosen few paranza to remarkably lift their 65 foot‑high moving monument to faith with unbridled power and passion. After the rousing cheers and applause died down, Angelo Granata ordered all of the remaining 120 men back under the Giglio. From that moment forward, the Giglio was danced with a passion and harmony that was unforgettable in America.
Even in his eighties Angelo was often seen in the trenches lifting the Giglio right along with his beloved paranza. One of the greatest Capo Paranzas in American history, Angelo Granata supported the Dance of the Giglio tradition right up until the very end whenever and wherever the tradition took place. He would close each Giglio feast by dancing passionately on a table to the tune of his beloved 108th Street Song. Time after time, this legendary Capo Paranza would tap his heart like a drum, beam in ecstasy, yell, cry, urge and inspire us all with his cane to dance this glorious Giglio with the grace and devotion it justly deserved.
He danced the dance with all his heart and soul, and showed us the way. Precious and timeless, irreplaceable and indefatigable, Angelo Granata's vibrant love and devotion touched us all ‑‑ in East Harlem, in Williamsburg, Brooklyn, Astoria, Queens, Cliffside Park, New Jersey and recently on Long Island. No matter where you go the name and memory of Angelo Granata is a symbol of love, honor and devotion. We pray that the lord Jesus Christ, San Antonio, San Paolino and Our Lady of Mt. Carmel are embracing you, as you embraced us all. I know I speak for all those who have loved this tradition and were fortunate enough to know you – may God Bless and embrace you and your family always Angelo Granata – you will live in our hearts forever.