Babo,
Dear Babo,
Dear Babo,
Dear, beloved babo,
There are absolutely no words for the love I have for you I admire you I respect you I care for you with all of my heart! How could I not!!! You’re always here for us whether It’s about figuring out a guitar riff or major life decisions, I know I can count on you to care and most of all love your heart is so big! Your smile is irresistible! When you start laughing, joy completely fills the room and there’s no choice but to join in, no matter the mood I’m in or the day I’m having, you always find a way to make me smile.
the number hasnt been invented for the love I have for you!
– Gabi
Dear Abba,
There are so many reasons why I love you, so here are but a few samples of my thoughts.
You inspire me to pursue music. You are very approachable and I can talk to you freely. You care about us and take real interest in our hobbies and passions.
It doesn’t matter if you are incredibly busy, you still take the time to take us to the beach and spend time with us.
I never have to wonder of your love for us because you tell us daily and load us with hugs and loving expressions all day long.
– Angelo
Dear Abba,
There are so many reasons why I love you, so here are but a few samples of my thoughts.
You inspire me to pursue music. You are very approachable and I can talk to you freely. You care about us and take real interest in our hobbies and passions.
It doesn’t matter if you are incredibly busy, you still take the time to take us to the beach and spend time with us.
I never have to wonder of your love for us because you tell us daily and load us with hugs and loving expressions all day long.
– Angelo
Somehow time did not determine the conditions on how much I could be loved in the hearts of the Bella’s.
Spontaneously Luigi and I were engaged and married within the same month. With our wedding being planned and held within
On that miraculous summer
Leonardo has the biggest heart. He can welcome strangers into his life and love them deeply. Leonardo inspires me. Through his
Dear Babo,
Thank you for loving me so unconditionally. You have been a great father to me. Thank you for always loving, for being present and always being friend I know I can talk to.
Thank you for caring for me when we both got sick in Nashville, for listening to me rant about books, and even taking me to that Van Gogh art exhibit. Thank you for encouraging my learning.
My admiration for you is quiet but runs deep. But most of all thank you for welcoming me into this family the way you did especially when it wasn’t “necessary”.
I love you!
– Daniella Bella
Dear Leonardo,
It has been a privilege to be invited into the life of your family. I doubt I will ever be able to convey how healing my brief time with you has been. you are an amazingly safe and humble man. when I grow up and perhaps have a family of my own, I will aspire to walk with the same grace that you embody.
You have given me so much dignity. you are one of the few authority figures who has treated me as a co-labourer and an equal. it was actually quite a shock the other day when you brought me into your counsel to deliberate over the final order of Where The Light Is Home. collaborating with you has been such a blessing. to be given the freedom to express my gifts in ways that are most natural to me has been liberating. my spirit has revelled in our discussions and work. thank you thank you thank you.
I am confident that our Good Father and Elohim, the Ultimate Investor, will reap great returns from the labour of your life.
He has watched you faithfully steward the talents He entrusted to you and in the fullness of time He will cause them to bear abundant fruit for the sake of His Kingdom. until that day comes, may you overflow with the knowledge that He is excessively proud of you.
Yes, may you continually live in the surpassing glory of the song that He is singing over you. and may you always wake up to the ‘well done’ that beats in His heart when He thinks of you.
Dear Leonardo,
It has been a privilege to be invited into the life of your family. I doubt I will ever be able to convey how healing my brief time with you has been. you are an amazingly safe and humble man. when I grow up and perhaps have a family of my own, I will aspire to walk with the same grace that you embody.
You have given me so much dignity. you are one of the few authority figures who has treated me as a co-labourer and an equal. it was actually quite a shock the other day when you brought me into your counsel to deliberate over the final order of Where The Light Is Home. collaborating with you has been such a blessing. to be given the freedom to express my gifts in ways that are most natural to me has been liberating. my spirit has revelled in our discussions and work. thank you thank you thank you.
I am confident that our Good Father and Elohim, the Ultimate Investor, will reap great returns from the labour of your life.
He has watched you faithfully steward the talents He entrusted to you and in the fullness of time He will cause them to bear abundant fruit for the sake of His Kingdom. until that day comes, may you overflow with the knowledge that He is excessively proud of you.
Yes, may you continually live in the surpassing glory of the song that He is singing over you. and may you always wake up to the ‘well done’ that beats in His heart when He thinks of you.
When I think about what to say about you, the first thing I think of is the fact that you and Una’s witnessing to me about yeshua made a major impact in my life and I have no idea, I just can’t imagine where I would be in this stage of my life if not for Yeshua, and I have you to thank for that.
I have seen yeshua’s impact in each of your lives and it has reinforced his presence in my life so many times over; It’s like going from cloudy dark, to beautiful sunshine.
Always with love and tremendous blessings to you both,
– Mom
I guess I could say that I am one of Leonardo’s (Lloyd’s) oldest friends. He and I met when he was only 12 and I was 15. Leonardo was a string bean. He walked as if he had no bones in his body. He looked like a character right out of those early black and white animated cartoons. Leo lived in a private house on Little Neck Pkwy in Queens. He had a really hot looking Mom, a white Hagstrom bass and an Ampeg B15. He was also a great bass player, sang and doubled on keys… at 12.
Our band, The Ups and Downs, was bathed in the early Rolling Stones and the Beatles. We also loved the blues and R&B. Now, remember this was 1966-7, and very few kids from Queens knew who John Lee Hooker was, let alone knew everysong he ever recorded. We did.
Leonardo Bella (Lloyd Hamoy) though only 12 made a major impression on me. We loved music, we loved girls and we loved hanging out with each other. I can still recall the day when the band all gathered in Lloyd’s bedroom and listened to, for the very first time, Sgt Pepper’s. We spent the entire day playing that LP over and over again, trying to decipher the chord changes and the lyric’s real meaning.
During that summer, Lloyd ran away from home and disappeared into Greenwich Village. Selma (his mom) and I and the rest of the band scoured the Village for days, but we couldn’t locate him. Lloyd and I drifted apart and while I thought of him over the years, we lost touch.
Then close to 50 years later, Neil Saccamano, one of the Ups and Downs had read about this fellow named Leonardo Bella, a musician that followed the path of Jesus as messiah. He was positive this was our bass player, Lloyd Hamoy. Unfortunately we had no way of getting in touch with him.
One of my University friends was also involved in the Messianic movement and her husband, a musician, played around the country in various churches. I queried her…“Do you know this Leonardo Bella”? She did, and put me in touch with him.
Almost a half century had passed. But it was like we were still kids in an upstart rock n roll band, we just picked up where we left off.
Leo came to visit with me and my wife in Venice, CA. He and his family were passing through and wondered if he could crash for a night or two. Of course.
The day came when he was to arrive and he pulled up in a large van. The doors opened and out poured the Bella clan… all seven of them! My wife pulled me aside and was a little freaked out. Seven Bellas!
Fifteen minutes after their arrival, we got it. This family is a God send. You’ve never met nicer, more considerate, better educated loving people. My wife, Michele and I look forward to spending time with all of them. Michele and I love Una as if we had known her our entire lives. And we are crazy about all of the kids, and Leo… well, we were soul mates in ’67, we are soul mates in ’17 and we will be soul mates for eternity! Long live Poo Bag!
– Scott Ross
When I first met Leonardo it was through his and Una’s ministry. They came to the house for dinner with their whole family. All with big smiles! Over the years I have gotten more than a glimpse of Leonardo and have come to admire him.
I have not only seen first hand his deep trust and reverence for Jeshua and his willingness to go out on a limb to share the salvation He brings, but also how the Lord changed him, from the highs and lows of the music industry in NY, to carrying him through addiction and depression.
Leo writes songs that are tender and full of mercy and love, truly heart felt and tastefully arranged and produced. Certainly a man of many talents and one that has bestowed much wisdom on me and my family. Keep on keeping on, brother!
Much love,
– Craig Nelson
When I first met Leonardo it was through his and Una’s ministry. They came to the house for dinner with their whole family. All with big smiles! Over the years I have gotten more than a glimpse of Leonardo and have come to admire him.
I have not only seen first hand his deep trust and reverence for Jeshua and his willingness to go out on a limb to share the salvation He brings, but also how the Lord changed him, from the highs and lows of the music industry in NY, to carrying him through addiction and depression.
Leo writes songs that are tender and full of mercy and love, truly heart felt and tastefully arranged and produced. Certainly a man of many talents and one that has bestowed much wisdom on me and my family. Keep on keeping on, brother!
Much love,
– Craig
Leonardo and I have many things that bind us including a love for songwriting, making records and being on stage. We recently discovered that we both love sailing.
But something I have treasured the most about our friendship was Leonardo’s striking ability to cut through the smoke and focus on what was important.
Twenty five years ago, I was on the cusp of a major business decision. My advisers were divided into two disparate camps with no hope for agreement.
I called Leonardo, gave him a rundown and asked him what he thought. Within seconds, he replied, “You’ll do double the business with Neve,” referring to a type of recording console.
He was right. We still have the Neve. We run it every day.
I can count on one hand the people I would trust in a similar situation. You can’t replace friends like Leonardo.
– Rob Grenoble
Leonardo and I have many things that bind us including a love for songwriting, making records and being on stage. We recently discovered that we both love sailing.
But something I have treasured the most about our friendship was Leonardo’s striking ability to cut through the smoke and focus on what was important.
Twenty five years ago, I was on the cusp of a major business decision. My advisers were divided into two disparate camps with no hope for agreement.
I called Leonardo, gave him a rundown and asked him what he thought. Within seconds, he replied, “You’ll do double the business with Neve,” referring to a type of recording console.
He was right. We still have the Neve. We run it every day.
I can count on one hand the people I would trust in a similar situation. You can’t replace friends like Leonardo.
– Rob Grenoble
My memories of Leo begin when I first moved to Nashville back in 2009. We worked together at the Trader Joe’s in Green Hills. I did not know a soul when I first moved down. Nashville is known as a “company town” meaning that if you don’t know anyone when you move there, you probably won’t ever know anyone. He invited me to Shabbat. I met his lovely family and his great kids. I soon found myself grafted into their tribe.
Leo introduced me to praise & worship music production, firearms and ultimately a relationship with Jesus Christ. It was through assisting Leo in the production of “Back Into My Life” that I opened myself up to ask for Jesus to enter my life. Now I have a wife and young toddler of my own.
Even though I don’t get to see the Bellas too often, I am
– Keith Seay
My memories of Leo begin when I first moved to Nashville back in 2009. We worked together at the Trader Joe’s in Green Hills. I did not know a soul when I first moved down. Nashville is known as a “company town” meaning that if you don’t know anyone when you move there, you probably won’t ever know anyone. He invited me to Shabbat. I met his lovely family and his great kids. I soon found myself grafted into their tribe.
Leo introduced me to praise & worship music production, firearms and ultimately a relationship with Jesus Christ. It was through assisting Leo in the production of “Back Into My Life” that I opened myself up to ask for Jesus to enter my life. Now I have a wife and young toddler of my own.
Even though I don’t get to see the Bellas too often, I am
– Keith Seay
A few years back I hid three melodic homages in an album I recorded; one to The Beatles, one to Wilco, and the other to Leonardo Bella.
What can I say about Leo? Not only is he my favorite bass player, he is a man I deeply respect – so unique, so passionate, crazy for the Lord, loves his friends hard and his family even harder, and he breaths and exhales music.
He celebrates life and you can hear it in his writing and production. His old-school approach to engineering and creative arrangements gives his songs a sense of timelessness and familiarity.
Listening to his music is like drinking in sunshine, bright and bold with truth, and full of hope and warmth. Leo only knows how to sing straight from his heart and I am honored to call this traveling troubadour my friend.
– John Moessner
A few years back I hid three melodic homages in an album I recorded; one to The Beatles, one to Wilco, and the other to Leonardo Bella.
What can I say about Leo? Not only is he my favorite bass player, he is a man I deeply respect – so unique, so passionate, crazy for the Lord, loves his friends hard and his family even harder, and he breaths and exhales music.
He celebrates life and you can hear it in his writing and production. His old-school approach to engineering and creative arrangements gives his songs a sense of timelessness and familiarity.
Listening to his music is like drinking in sunshine, bright and bold with truth, and full of hope and warmth. Leo only knows how to sing straight from his heart and I am honored to call this traveling troubadour my friend.
– John Moessner
When I first met Leonardo I knew I found an amazing musical mentor and friend. He also was a great example of a man of faith. His devotion and constant daily effort to put G-d first was very inspiring. After spending some years together in the studio, at the dinner table and driving around on the great Bella Family adventures I really came to appreciate this man.
Also hearing his story from where he came from and how he grew up, his
Just a little sharing can come a very long way, it can fan little curious sparks into blazing flames. Leonardo’s faith doesn’t just burn, its blazes and I thank G-d for the opportunity to find such a friend.
I grew up a big music family and much of my foundation is from family, but I have to credit Leonardo for helping me tap and cultivate my musical gifts that G-d has given me. It if wasn’t for him I would still be in
Thank you G-d for Leo, and thank
– Roman Wood (Mr. Romanofski)
I loved working with Leonardo for by debut record. When my husband and I felt like the Lord was telling us to make a record, we started praying for an ambassador, a person who could walk with us into the unknown world of recording and show us the ropes. When we met Leo, we knew he was the ambassador the Lord had provided.
Leo’s skill and level of excellence
I felt like he listened to my vision of what I wanted my album to become. He did a great job fostering each song into what I had hoped it would be.
I knew Leonardo valued me as an artist and wanted to be a good steward of my trust. Most importantly, I felt like he was walking in the Spirit when making the music, and I felt like that supernatural element of creativity was expressed well. We had a great experience with him and enjoyed every minute!
– Megan Pittman
I loved working with Leonardo for by debut record. When my husband and I felt like the Lord was telling us to make a record, we started praying for an ambassador, a person who could walk with us into the unknown world of recording and show us the ropes. When we met Leo, we knew he was the ambassador the Lord had provided.
Leo’s skill and level of excellence
I felt like he listened to my vision of what I wanted my album to become. He did a great job fostering each song into what I had hoped it would be.
I knew Leonardo valued me as an artist and wanted to be a good steward of my trust. Most importantly, I felt like he was walking in the Spirit when making the music, and I felt like that supernatural element of creativity was expressed well. We had a great experience with him and enjoyed every minute!
– Megan Pittman
Wow! What can I say about this very special man whose life we are celebrating today: Leonardo has been a very close friend ever since we met in 2001 on Mt Carmel along with his wife Una and firstborn son Luigi, whom, B’Ezrat HaShem, I’ve watched grow into this amazing, bright and handsome young man today.
Well, to start with; Leonardo was the one who helped me put together and produce my very first Hebrew CD “
Thanks Leonardo for that firstfruit which we both initially laid down and offered to our Heavenly Father from conception and He’s since given me so many more songs of Zion to bless Israel and all the nations with! Holy brother it all started with you believing in what Abba had deposited in me. I thank you for believing and for your loving support that I’ve received from you since that December day up in Haifa and we’ve since become Mishpacha / family, connected through Yeshua and the Land of Israel Leonardo and Una and the whole family have a very special place in my heart I have joyfully watched this precious family grow from kid to kid to the powerful tribe that they are today but I’ve also seen them grow from grace to grace, carrying the very fragrance of Yeshua wherever they go.
I salute you, Leonardo, as the Cohen/priest over the family for leading your family with integrity and by
Leonardo you truly have spearheaded your family to accomplish great things for the Kingdom behind the scene and we rejoice with the heavenly angels for every soul that has been ministered to through your own prayers and the prayers of the saints that you have inspired co-labor with Yeshua to pray for such a time as this!
Adonai richly
–
Wow! What can I say about this very special man whose life we are celebrating today: Leonardo has been a very close friend ever since we met in 2001 on Mt Carmel along with his wife Una and firstborn son Luigi, whom, B’Ezrat HaShem, I’ve watched grow into this amazing, bright and handsome young man today.
Well, to start with; Leonardo was the one who helped me put together and produce my very first Hebrew CD “
Thanks Leonardo for that firstfruit which we both initially laid down and offered to our Heavenly Father from conception and He’s since given me so many more songs of Zion to bless Israel and all the nations with! Holy brother it all started with you believing in what Abba had deposited in me. I thank you for believing and for your loving support that I’ve received from you since that December day up in Haifa and we’ve since become Mishpacha / family, connected through Yeshua and the Land of Israel Leonardo and Una and the whole family have a very special place in my heart I have joyfully watched this precious family grow from kid to kid to the powerful tribe that they are today but I’ve also seen them grow from grace to grace, carrying the very fragrance of Yeshua wherever they go.
I salute you, Leonardo, as the Cohen/priest over the family for leading your family with integrity and by
Leonardo you truly have spearheaded your family to accomplish great things for the Kingdom behind the scene and we rejoice with the heavenly angels for every soul that has been ministered to through your own prayers and the prayers of the saints that you have inspired co-labor with Yeshua to pray for such a time as this!
Adonai richly
–