Sebastian Campesi, affectionately known as "Campy," was born in Jamestown, New York in 1921. He started playing violin when he was 4 and began playing live on the radio when he was 8. By the time he was 17, Campesi had taken his violin on the road.

In 1955, Campesi landed in San Antonio, Texas where he played violin with the San Antonio Symphony for two decades. It was also in San Antonio that Campy started another career as an educator.

"Jazz was my first love," Campy said. "The symphony was a steady gig. I go for steady over spectacular."

Campesi has been a prolific live player on concert stages at theme parks and in night clubs in San Antonio, as well as appearing on recordings by other artists. His own project as leader, From the Heart, was recorded in 1998.