FIREFLY

Established 1979

With millions of records sold worldwide, 5 albums and 20 singles published, FIREFLY is an international icon of classic disco-dance music. It has been the first totally italian production reaching the top of USA Billboard disco charts in 1981 with the song “Love is gonna be on your side”.

“FIREFLY is the musical project that I consider the most “classy” among my productions. Everything in this music project has been thought and realized with elegance and style, from the sound, to the compositions, from the lyrics to the covers art, up to the clothes of the group! They were in fact designed by Giorgio Armani, the greatest italian fashion designer. A way to highlight our totally Italian, but at the same time international, style.”

SANGY

GENRE

The FIREFLY sound is in the most classy disco-dance music, with strong soul and R&B influences.

CAREER
The FIREFLY music project has been created in 1979 by the italian composers, arrangers and producers SANGY (Maurizio Sangineto) and Maurizio Cavalieri.

The first release has been the single “DO IT DANCIN’ ” (1979), recorded at Studio Radius in Milan, owned by Alberto Radius, one of the most important italian musicians, main collaborator as for example of Lucio Battisti, Adriano Celentano, Franco Battiato and more.

The original band consisted of SANGY (bass and guitar) and Manu Ometto (vocals). They were joined immediately by the very talented singer Jay Rolandi (Rolando Zaniolo).

The first album “FIREFLY (1980) and the second one “MY DESIRE” (1982) were recorded in Rome at TM Studio with the fundamental support of one of the most talented italian piano players, Toto Torquati.

The third album “FIREFLY 3” (1983) and the fourth “DOUBLE PERSONALITY” (1984) have been recorded at Sandy’s Recording Studio, both with the technical support of one of the most talented italian sound engineers, Sandy Dian.

During this period the background vocalist Elena Casiroli joined the band on stage.

After these intense activity FIREFLY took a pause for some years. Then in 1994 was released a new production titled “WHATCHA GONNA DO” and in 1995 “FALLING IN LOVE AGAIN”, both performed as vocalist by Jay Rolandi with the special guest Robert Reds, and both composed, arranged and produced by SANGY.

Jay Rolandi (Rolando Zaniolo), SANGY (Maurizio Sangineto), Maurizio Cavalieri.

2019 | CELEBRATING 40 YEARS OF GOOD MUSIC

On the 40th anniversary of the project’s birth (1979-2019), the 3 FIREFLY formers Sangy, Jay Rolandi and Maurizio Cavalieri, decided to make their fans a truly unexpected gift: a brand new production titled “LOVE” which perfectly combines melody and harmony of two timeless successes: “Love is gonna be on your side“, the biggest hit on Firefly, with the wonderful “The glow of love” by Change, the legendary dance band leaded by Davide Romani and Mauro Malavasi.

For this production has been used the original sample by Change with a special performing on bass by Davide Romani. The young American rapper Rampage Rome, one of the emerging music talents of Miami area, completed the music project, creating an original music bridge between past and present.

THE GREAT RETURN

2021 signs the return of FIREFLY with a fresch new song: “Fly like a firefly”.

Powerful sound, elegant style and compelling melody, with Jay Roland’s soulful voice and Sangy’s unmistakable funky guitar that made the world dance.

2021 | A NEW LEGENDARY REMIX

4 of the most talented international djs (Dave Lee, Michael Gray, Ben Liebrand, Moplen), thanks to the passion of Jochem Gerrits (High Fashion recs), has created a unique release. Four different remixes of the song “Love”, produced using the original tracks provided by Sangy. Not only digital versions, but also a double 12″ vinyl for the fans and collectors.
And once more FIREFLY jumped to the top of the international charts.

2022 | THE NEW SINGLE

Titled “Summer in the Eighties”, it’s the new single by FIREFLY. An iconic tribute to those unforgettable years. “Summer in the Eighties – Only smiling faces – Summer in the Eighties – Only sunny places”. This simple refrain tells about those years more than lot of books and articles. Same class, pumping disco sound powered as usual by the unique voice of Jay Roland and the funky guitar of Sangy.