Fr. Stan Fortuna C.F.R., a Roman Catholic priest ordained on December 8, 1990, is one of the eight founding members of the Community of the Franciscan Friars of the Renewal (an order established in the Archdiocese of New York under the jurisdiction of John Cardinal O'Connor). Prior to his conversion, Fr. Stan was a professional jazz musician who studied with the legendary Lennie Tristano (the ‘father of improvisational jazz’).

While studying to enter the priesthood, Fr. Stan was working in Spanish Harlem during his formation years.  It was there that he encountered hip-hop firsthand in the street, a style he refers to as ‘rhythm and rhyme’, and was captivated by its improvisational nature. He heard people in the neighborhood ‘rap’ about their daily lives/struggles, and he soon learned how to integrate this phenomenon and technique into his own heart and music. In time and with the encouragement of his community, he developed an affinity for this art form and started using rap to reach out to the less fortunate and beyond.

To learn more about Fr Stan's ministry and to get his full bio, visit his website Francesco Production.