This late-blooming talent follows in the the footsteps of other Italian-American actors like Chazz Palminteri and James Gandolfini, transitioning from the nightclub industry onto the big screen. JJ grew up in the vibrant Buffalo bar and restaurant business. After attending college, JJ's first venture was 3C Multimedia where he produced the television pilot "Discs" with screen writer Norman Toy (McGuyver), along with early music videos for Dipset, Purple City Bird Gang and Conway & Westside Gun. JJ founded the iconic Gypsy Parlor and Duke's Bohemian Grove Bar (aka DBGB) where his experience as a music promoter allowed him to bring dozens of national and Grammy-nominated acts including Rob Base, Afrika Bambaataa, Pharoahe Monch, Snarky Puppy, Soullive, Disco Biscuits side project Dr Famous, Moe side project Floodwood, Devon Allman, Rob Wasserman (Grateful Dead), Academy Award performer Stephane Wrembel, Keller Williams, and many more.