Bruce Sudano was born in Flatbush, Brooklyn, New York, in 1948 to Margaret and Louis Sudano. He began playing music at age four with the accordion, later teaching himself piano and guitar, and earned his first paid gig by age twelve. By his late teens he was already performing in nightclubs and studying theater at St. John’s University, while playing bass in his first band, Silent Souls.
The Beginnings
Bruce continues to write, record, and perform while enjoying his family life. He is a father, husband, and proud grandfather to nine grandchildren.
Present Times
Bruce met Donna Summer while working with Brooklyn Dreams, a connection that shaped his life and career. They married and collaborated extensively, including co-writing “Starting Over Again,” which became a U.S. country #1 hit for Dolly Parton. Together they raised three daughters: Mimi, Brooklyn and Amanda.
Bruce & Donna
Bruce Sudano played an essential behind-the-scenes role as Donna Summer’s trusted partner and sometime manager, helping guide her career and protect her creative vision. Today, he continues that work looking after Donna’s estate, preserving and honoring her legacy for future generations.
Bruce The Manager
In 1977, Bruce co-founded Brooklyn Dreams, a group that became pivotal both creatively and personally. During this time, he met Donna Summer, beginning a lasting musical partnership. Brooklyn Dreams released four albums between 1977 and 1980, and their collaboration with Donna on “Heaven Knows” became a major hit. Bruce, Joe, Eddie, and Donna co-wrote her 1979 hit song “Bad Girls”, among many others for her career.
Brooklyn Dreams
Songwriting has always been central to Bruce’s career. In 1984, he co-wrote “Tell Me I’m Not Dreamin’ (Too Good to Be True),” recorded by Jermaine and Michael Jackson and was later nominated for a Grammy. Throughout the 1980s and 1990s, he wrote extensively for films and artists like Donna Summer, Dolly Parton, Michael and Jermaine Jackson, Kathy Troccoli, and more.
Songwriting
In 1968, Bruce Sudano co-founded the pop-rock band Alive ’N Kickin’, launching his professional music career. The band scored a hit with “Tighter, Tighter,” co-written and produced by Tommy James, and appeared on American Bandstand. Soon after, Bruce left the group and moved to Los Angeles to pursue solo songwriting and performing.
Alive 'N Kickin'
Bruce released his first solo album, Fugitive Kind, in 1981, followed by Rainy Day Soul and Life and the Romantic. His later work includes With Angels on a Carousel (2014), The Burbank Sessions (2015), and 21st Century World (2017). During the COVID lockdowns, he released Spirals, Vol. 1, Spirals, Vol. 2, and Ode to a Nightingale. In 2024, he released Talkin’ Ugly Truth, Tellin’ Pretty Lies, followed in 2025 by a series of new singles previewing an ongoing project titled Sketch Book.
Solo Career
