April Jazz at Pizzeria Lauretano

SUNDAY, APRIL 10 - ARTHUR LIPNER QUARTET ($12.50)
Arthur Lipner is one of the leading vibraphone players today. His live performances and recorded projects convey an exuberant drive of creativity and depth. His brand new CD is called "Brasilian Vibes," and he's also the feature of a recent documentary film "Talking Sticks."

This night, Arthur appears with three of the region's finest jazz musicians on a set of jazz standards, blues, and a few Brazilian tunes, including music inspired by Dizzy Gillespie, Cole Porter and originals. Arthur's travels around the globe as a jazz musician and percussionist have delighted audiences and critics alike. He's performed with the National Dance Company of Ghana, with Tuvan throat-singers, on an ice xylophone in Norway, and especially in Brazil, from Carnival in the streets of Rio to the Brazil National Symphony Orchestra. Click here for a video.  

WEDNESDAY, APRIL 13 - "BIRTH OF THE COOL" NONET (No Charge)
This recreation of the landmark Miles Davis' jazz album "Birth of the Cool" was brought about by a concept that bassist Rich Zurkowski mentioned in a conversation with drummer Roger Post. Through emails and phone calls, the musicians in the nonet were put together, and every single one of them was extremely enthusiastic about the project.

New Haven Jazz Orchestra leader Drake Smith had many of the charts written out, so he was recruited to play the Gil Evans role; Gil was one of the arrangers on the album and acted as an adviser to the group.  This is sure to be a unique and perhaps one-time only experience. 

SUNDAY, APRIL 17 - LALO CONVERSANO & BRASS JOY  ($12.50)
For a very special night at the Pizzeria, direct from Italy, is trumpet player Lalo Conversano and the jazz group Brass Joy. Lalo used to live in the Danbury area and has played with many of the local musicians, including drummer Roger Post who has put together the rhythm section for this evening.

Born in Padova in 1941, Lalo and his family moved to Buenos Aires, Argentina when he was six. He took up the trumpet at 14 inspired by the sounds of Louis Armstrong's Hot Five and Hot Seven, Harry James with the Benny Goodman Band, and Chet Baker & Gerry Mulligan's Quartet. At 19 he met Gary Burton who recommended the Berklee school, and off to Boston he went. His teachers instilled a sense of musical progressiveness thats lasts for a lifetime, says Lalo.  He went on to play in a number of big bands such as Les & Larry Elgart, Machito, Sonny Costanzo and The Tommy Dorsey Orchestra.

"Brass Joy" started in 1998 when Lalo moved back to Italy and met Danilo Moccia, a superb jazz trombonist from Switzerland. Together they compiled an eclectic repertory that goes from Duke to Bird to Horace Silver, to the great standards of Porter and Gershwin, to the funkyness of Hancock and Zawinul, and passing through Jobim. Says Lalo, "our own simple but cooking arrangements make for a very swingin' band." Click here for a video.

On Sunday, April 24 Pizzeria Lauretano will be closed for Easter

Pizzeria Lauretano is located at 291 Greenwood Ave., Bethel, at the junction of Routes 53 and 302, one block from the Bethel Cinema. Sunday performances are from 6-8 p.m., with a cover charge (normally $10, unless otherwise noted, plus a $10 minimum). Wednesdays are 6:30-8:30 p.m. with no cover fee or minimum.  Reservations are strongly recommended by calling the restaurant at 203-792-1500.

Please visit the restaurant's new website at www.pizzerialauretano.com