Avon Library's Music Series, "Sundays at Three," Begins January 7

Avon, CT – December 4, 2017 – The Friends of the Avon Library are set to open the latest edition of their popular music series, “Sundays at Three” on Sunday, January 7 with a performance by pianist Alex Nakhimovsky, guitarist Norman Johnson, and vocalist June Bisantz. What finer way to get things underway on a mid-winter’s Sunday afternoon than by basking in the warmth of Latin/Brazilian jazz sprinkled with a touch of classical overtones.

Composed by Mr. Nakhimovsky, with lyrics by Ms. Bisantz, the music revels in the many ways love is expressed in our lives: romantically, exuberantly, nostalgically, longingly, and philosophically. They will also offer a sampling of the work of legendary trumpet player/singer Chet Baker. Nakhimovsky is a man of many talents: performer, recording artist, producer and educator. His musical journey began in an industrial city in Russia’s Ural Mountains where, as a youngster, he took up the study of the violin. Then came the piano and a serendipitous introduction to jazz by way of a recording by Ella Fitzgerald. He emigrated to this country in 1978 and continued his studies at the Hartt School of Music where he immersed himself in jazz under the tutelage of one of the greats, Jackie McLean. It was there, too, he continued his classical piano studies with the incomparable Luiz de Moura Castro. Mr. Nakhinovsky learned his lessons well. Guitarist/composer Norman Johnson came to music at the relatively ripe old age of 16 as a high school student in his native Kingston, Jamaica. Fueled by passion and bolstered by innate talent he made up for lost time. It didn’t hurt that he fell in love with playing the guitar. He too found his way to Hartford where he studied first at the Hartford Conservatory of Music and then at the Hartt School of Music where, like Alex Nakhimovsky, he had the good fortune to fall under the sway of Jackie McLean. His musical aesthetic was also informed by his reverence for classical guitar. June Bisantz is a Renaissance woman whose wide interests and talents embrace both music and the visual arts. She has co-written and produced several collections of vocal jazz, all of which have received national and international attention and acclaim. Critic Erik Levine, writing in People magazine, said the following of her: “…a gifted singer with a warm, bright voice and marvelous offhand timing. She navigates fast, complicated melodies with sensuous, feline ease. Her voice is a revelation - caressing and velvety, but electrically alive.”

All are welcome to this special event in the Community Room of the Avon Free Public Library, 281 Country Club Road, Avon. Free tickets will be available at 2:15 on the day of the performance with seating starting at 2:30. The one-hour program begins at 3:00. The Friends of the Library will be serving home-baked goods, and there will be an opportunity to meet the artists following their performance.

Contact:

Patrice Celli

Avon Free Public Library

pcelli@avonctlibrary.info, 860-673-9712