From his earliest days growing up in New York, Father Stan Fortuna has lived a life of passion and purpose. When he was in the 2nd grade, his father gave him a Christmas present that was to define his destiny – a red Gibson electric guitar. It was quickly discovered that Fr. Stan had an ear for music and a knack for musical expression and composition.  This talent was obvious especially when he started playing the bass.

Through disciplined and fervent practice Fr. Stan became a skilled and noted New York area performer and studied for a time with the late jazz legend Lennie Tristano.  Fr. Stan was often enlisted to play sessions and in venues such as Birdland and Lincoln Center with the likes of Warne Marsh, Sal Mosca, Peter Scattaretico and Peter Prisco.  With the latter two, he formed Scola Tristano, and the trio has produced a number of jazz albums – one of which was released by Universal Music.  Fortuna continues to perform with them today when time permits.

However, it was also in early adulthood that Fr. Stan began hearing his true calling in life. He is one of the eight original members of the Community of Franciscan Friars of the Renewal and a Roman Catholic priest. He has been involved with community development and the implementation of various social programmes in his neighbourhood of the South Bronx for over two decades when the religious order was established by John Cardinal O’Connor in 1987. That same year, Fr. Stan founded his non-profit company, Francesco Productions  (www.francescoproductions.com), mixing music and message with proceeds going to help poor and impoverished families in the area. From Contemporary Christian to Jazz, Folk, Reggae and Rap, this incredible musician and composer continues to produce music for the enjoyment of all, using it as a powerful means to reach deep into the heart and soul of both young and old throughout the world.

Although Fr. Stan lives in the South Bronx where he serves needy families, he is internationally known for his music as well as for his powerful preaching.  With his preaching apostolate, Fr. Stan travels extensively having been invited to perform his music and proclaim the Gospel at conferences, retreats, rallies and festivals in the US, Canada, Europe, Africa and the Caribbean.  He was invited to preach and perform at the 1999 St. Louis youth rally during John Paul II’s visit, at World Youth Days in Sydney and Toronto, is often a featured speaker at various Franciscan University Youth Conferences, Youth 2000 events and has also appeared numerous times on EWTN. 

He released his third rap album – Sacro Song 3: The Completion of the Trilogy – in 2007 and just completed his third book “U Got To Love” to be published in Fall 2009.  His other books “U Got To Pray” and “U Got To Believe” along with all of his other 20+ dvds and cd’s can be ordered through his website www.francescoproductions.com.  A documentary, “Sent”, detailing his life and showcasing his work is now in production to be completed by 2009.  All proceeds from Fr. Stan’s concerts, tours and merchandise sales go to Francesco Productions’ and the Franciscan Friars of the Renewal’s hands-on work with the poor. Francesco Productions recently started FILO – Francesco International Outreach to help the underprivileged abroad including Uganda and Poland.