What may very well prove to be the "big-break" that all songwriters and performing artists hope for, a young and talented long Island songwriter will be performing his original music at the 12th Annual Burton Awards for Legal Achievement, with legendary saxophonist for Billy Joel, Richie Cannata by his side!

On June 13th of this year, Nathaniel Nunziante (a young, prolific songwriter and brilliant pianist) will perform his originals on the stage of the famed Coolige Auditorium in the United States Library of Congress, with friend and legendary performer Richie Cannata (saxophonist for Billy Joel).

Commissioned to compose and perform the official theme song for the annual event, and also asked to perform one of his most popular and requested originals, the evening promises to be a key moment in Nathaniel's career.

Growing each year in stature, prestige and recognition, the Burton Awards for Legal Achievement is now one of the most prominent and dynamic awards programs in law. The program this year will include an array of high profile members of the supreme judicial community, including guest speaker, Supreme Court Justice Sonia Sotamyor, as well as Supreme Court Justice Stephen G. Breyer. (Visit www.BurtonAwards.com for more information about the program)

For this years awards program, Nathaniel was commissioned by the events founder, William C. Burton, to write a song that could be performed during the awards program and also become the event's official theme song. The song which Nathaniel appropriately entitled, "The Other Side," is an inspiring duet that speaks to the individual journeys of any who are willing to follow their dreams, and also brave enough to overcome the mountains that often block the path to the other side, where those dreams are waiting. Nathaniel is joined on this power ballad by the beautiful voice of Jaclyn Casano, and the one of a kind saxophone virtuosity of great friend Richie Cannata, who performed on, and co-produced, Nathaniel's debut album.

In addition to the commissioned work, Nathaniel was also asked to close the awards program with a performance of "The Love of a Hero," an extremely moving ballad and one of the most popular and requested songs from his album.  The song was written as a dedication the many heroes of our nation and any across the globe, who every day put their own lives in harms way to protect the rest of us. Since it's soft release the song has been played in the normal rotation of several radio stations across the nation, and quickly became one of Nathaniel's most requested songs. 

Born and raised on Long Island, Nathaniel's talents were evident at a very young age. And his love for the great songwriters that went before him like Billy Joel & Elton John quickly sparked the development of his own unique sound and style. A style that contains elements reminiscent of his predecessors, but is still uniquely his own. His journey as a musician has been a very eventful one, but the key moment in his musical career (and the most worthy of mention given the subject matter of this article) was when he crossed paths with Richie Cannata, who after first hearing his original music said, "I have not heard a writing talent like his since I worked with Billy Joel himself."

Since that meeting a little over four years ago, Nathaniel has performed multiple times with Richie at his side. A literal dream come true for a boy who used to stare up at the stage from the distant rows of Madison Square Garden, and watch Richie perform along side Billy Joel. Watch out for this young talent as he writes and sings his way into success. It seems that Long Island, NY offers up a super-talent once again... one who may very well turn out to be the Billy Joel of this generation... and amazingly, you'll often find the great Richie Cannata right there with him!