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Bethpage, New York-born jazz/traditional pop vocalist Sal "The Voice" Valentinetti shares his take on the 1929 classic ballad "Little Pal," originally by Al Jolson and made popular by Jimmy Roselli out now with its official video via Keep Good Company Records.
“Little Pal” is a timeless American Songbook ballad that takes on new meaning in Valentinetti's hands. Roselli, the Hoboken-born crooner who won first prize at age 13 on Major Bowes’ Original Amateur Hour, carried this song with a quiet emotional weight throughout his life. Born to Neapolitan parents and orphaned just days after birth, Roselli’s voice gave tenderness to a song about parental absence and reassurance.
LISTEN: "Little Pal"
Now married and reflecting on fatherhood, Valentinetti revisits “Little Pal” from a different stage of life–honoring tradition while bringing modern vulnerability to the performance. Putting his own spin on the classic, Valentinetti brings the Sinatra-era sound to Gen Z. On his personal connection to the track, Valentinetti shares, "My rendition of 'Little Pal' was born out of a writing session for some exciting new original music. We were referencing acoustic guitar driven jazz and my fellow Neapolitan-American, Jimmy Roselli's version of 'Little Pal' came to mind. It is a heartbreakingly beautiful song about love, loss, regret, and the anxieties of fatherhood. I made my debut to the world with Sinatra, my greatest inspiration, and here I am 10 years later covering his Hoboken neighbor, Jimmy Roselli. I am a student of this craft and will forever be indebted to those who came before me in my corner of the music world."
Recorded in Hudson Valley, the track features Olivier Machon on strings (John Legend), and was mixed by Grammy Award-winning engineer Justin Guip. Additional musicians include Jack Petruzzelli and Matt Munisteri, with background vocals by Ginger Winn — Valentinetti's label-mate and longtime collaborator. Ginger Winn and Jack Petruzzelli also produced the track.
The black and white video directed by Roe Sparacio and filmed on Mulberry Street in New York City's Little Italy at a space owned by John DeLutro (The Cannoli King). The video features Keith W. Richards, Anthony Sciarratra, Danielle Caminiti, Mario Bosco, and familiar faces from the artist's life as a performer and podcast host. The visual references Valentinetti's life on the road as a musician and the separation contemplated in the song’s lyrics.
Valentinetti adds, "This marks my first release on my first record label, Keep Good Company Records and my first time recording in Hudson Valley. A lot of firsts on this song. It also marks my first ever music video. We filmed it on Mulberry Street in Little Italy with a number of friends, actors, singers, and personalities. Directed by Rosemarie Sparacio, the video references my life on the road as a musician and the separation contemplated in the song’s lyrics.”
WATCH: "Little Pal" (Official Video)
Reflecting on the making of the video, Sparacio says, "I approached the project very carefully: it had to be authentic not only to the song's time period but also to who Sal is as an artist. Sal has a kind of magic that takes his audience back in time and transports them to a different place. I wanted the video to exude that same magic. I love old films and I really wanted to create a piece that paid homage to that filmmaking style—from the color to the tone shots to the angles. The song is about a father’s unconditional love, but the heart of the music video tells that story through an emotional lens. The main goal was: 'How do we show that rare emotion on the screen?'"
Atwood Magazine, who exclusively premiered the "Little Pal" video, says, "From 1929 to 2026, “Little Pal” endures as a story carried across generations – a father’s promise echoing through time, passed down from one voice to the next. In Valentinetti’s hands, that legacy is both preserved and renewed, brought to life through a performance that’s as commanding as it is deeply human. It’s a striking reminder that the most powerful songs don’t fade; they find new meaning in those willing to bring them forward. With a voice that can swell with passion one moment and quietly break the next, Valentinetti honors this song’s past while ensuring its place in the present day."
Sal "The Voice" Valentinetti is best known for his wildly popular 2016 performance of Frank Sinatra's "My Way," on America's Got Talent where Heidi Klum awarded him with the coveted Golden Buzzer and has now racked up millions of views. Today, the vocalist continues to captivate audiences today with his signature charm and spellbinding voice and promises much more to come this year.
Sal Valentinetti's take on "Little Pal" is out now. Connect with the crooner on Instagram and YouTube and stay tuned for more to come.
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