South Windsor Native Releases Somber Holiday Song In Memory Of His Mom
SOUTH WINDSOR, CT — Holidays are not only the time of year to celebrate one’s blessings with family, but also a time to reflect upon memories of loved ones who are no longer with us. A South Windsor native who is now pursuing a music career 3,000 miles away has written and recorded a somber single which chronicles his feelings about facing his first Christmas without his mother.
“Christmas Without You” is being released Dec. 17 by Gabriel Milluzzo, a 2016 graduate of South Windsor High School who is now pursuing his professional dreams in Los Angeles under the stage name Vitus King. He told Patch he will be flying back to his native town this weekend for the song’s release.
The four and a half minute song, written just before Thanksgiving, is unlike most Christmas tunes, which are generally vibrant and jolly. This compelling song is far more somber, with instrumentation and a vocal performance full of emotional gravitas.
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Milluzzo’s mother, Alfina, lost her four-year battle with stage 4 breast cancer on July 27. When her son completed writing the tribute to her, he knew it would be a tough timeline to get the song produced, recorded and engineered by Christmas.
He said he drew on his fond recollections of Christmas seasons, particularly his mom’s love of the holiday and her special Christmas tree, which is featured on the cover art of the song and referenced in its opening line.
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“No more white Christmas tree
At least not the way it used to be
No more nutcrackers by the window sill
No more little Christmas village people
Walking through their cotton snow
No more Christmas that I used to know.”
“Her tree has been the talk of the season among family and friends for years,” Milluzzo said. “She was also a big part of the South Windsor community who was often engaged with the town council, the school system and her church, always trying to make the town an even better place for her kids to grow up.”
He certainly was a huge reason South Windsor was such a wonderful town in which to grow up. After attending Philip R. Smith Elementary School and Timothy Edwards Middle School, Milluzzo became well-known throughout town for his singing and acting abilities, performing in numerous concerts and theater productions. After high school, he studied music at Syracuse University, signed his first record label contract and released his debut song, “Addicted to You.”
Unfortunately, the 26-year-old has had to deal with a great amount of adversity in recent years. He faced chronic health issues which he finally overcame while in college, only to be sent home at the onset of the coronavirus-19 pandemic. He began experiencing depression and anxiety issues due to the isolation, as well as Alfina’s cancer diagnosis.
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After a year and a half at home, he made the trek to the City of Angels and adopted his stage name, but faced the same struggles common among those looking to break into the entertainment industry. He dealt with employment, housing and financial instability, as well as a terrible infection that lasted eight months with multiple trips to the hospital. On the same day his apartment lease terminated, he was laid off, bringing on months of unemployment. His mother’s death was the biggest tragedy of all.
Milluzzo said these setbacks have only made him stronger, and he continues to progress. He is developing a reputation for his clever, thoughtful and detailed songwriting and lyricism, and his passionate vocal style is a display of both power and finesse as he artfully navigates up and down his vast range.
“The success I’ve always dreamed of is just around the corner, as things feel different than ever before,” he said. “Plus, I now have a new heavenly helper to watch over me and guide me to where my dreams become reality.”
“Christmas Without You” will be available on all streaming platforms upon release, and is currently available to be pre-saved on many of them.
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