Check Out January Jazz at Pizzeria Lauretano in Bethel

Press release:

Sundays at Six in Bethel, Conn.

Bethel, CT - January sees the long-awaited return of vocalist Nicole Pasternak on January 11, saxophone favorite Billy Cofrances on January 18, and the righteously swinging John Fumasoli Quintet on January 25 led by the trombonist and Fairfield U music prof.

Pizzeria Lauretano is located at 291 Greenwood Avenue in Bethel. Sunday jazz starts at 6:00pm, and reservations are strongly recommended by calling 203-792-1500. Music fee as noted, below. The casual, modern bistro serves nationally-acclaimed Neapolitan cuisine and authentic wood-fired brick-oven pizza. Visit online at pizzerialauretano.com, or on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/pages/Pizzeria-Lauretano/120717181274137

2014 “Arts in the Community” Award - Cultural Alliance of Western Connecticut

JANUARY JAZZ:

Sunday, January 4, $15 LEW SOLOFF & THE ROGER POST TRIO - A Pizzeria debut!
A consummate fixture on the New York jazz scene, Lew Soloff is a brilliant trumpet player long in demand for big bands and session work. Lew was a key member of Blood, Sweat & Tears from 1968-1973 (his famous horn lines feature on the Grammy-winning ‘Spinning Wheel’). After studying at Juilliard, Lew played with Maynard Ferguson, Joe Henderson, and Clark Terry, among others, and was closely associated with arranger Gil Evans. His Latin roots date back to an exciting stint with acclaimed Cuban bandleader Machito. His long jazz career includes work with George Benson, Stanley Clarke, Paquito D’Rivera, Miles Davis/Quincy Jones, Lionel Hampton, Jaco Pastorius, Wayne Shorter and Stanley Turrentine; and with some of pop’s most respected figures namely Tony Bennett, Elvis Costello, Aretha Franklin, Lou Reed, Frank Sinatra, Paul Simon, Barbra Streisand, and Laura Nyro. Lew makes frequent guest appearances with jazz orchestras all over the world, including the Lincoln Center Jazz Orchestra directed by Wynton Marsalis. http://www.lewsoloff.com

Sunday, January 11, $15 NICOLE PASTERNAK & THE ROGER POST TRIO

Vocalist NICOLE PASTERNAK operates below the national radar as she carves an ever-growing niche with jazz enthusiasts in the Northeast. JazzTimes’ critic Chuck Berg described her as “reminiscent of a young Ella...the brightest young jazz singer I’ve heard since Bobby McFerrin...” Her repertoire embraces the powerful traditions of Swing songs, Brazilian, ballads and the Big Band Era. She is also a songwriter and lyricist. Through her husband, master tenor saxophonist Ralph Lalama, she has pursued the bebop lexicon as well.

www.nicolepasternak.com

Sunday, January 18, $12 BILLY COFRANCES QUARTET
Saxophonist Billy Cofrances brings his glorious spirit and swing to the Pizzeria with an always excellent quartet. A New Haven native, Billy was raised in a musical family. His mother, “Rainy Day,” was a popular jazz vocalist and his dad, Billy Sr, led college jazz bands and hosted jam sessions at the home. Billy is a graduate of Berklee School of Music, and has worked with jazz pianist Sarah Cion, jazz vocalists Billy Weston and Giacomo Gates, saxophonist Ralph Lalama, and Walt Andrus, lead singer with the Tommy Dorsey Big Band.

Sunday, January 25, $15 JOHN FUMASOLI QUINTET
The John Fumasoli Quintet returns to the Pizzeria with their trombone-fronted, straight-ahead jazz. Trombonist John Fumasoli and his top-notch bandmates play an exciting range of jazz from bop to modern, Latin to originals. John is a highly accomplished musician who has performed with Gerry Mulligan, Tony Bennett, Diana Ross, The Temptations, and the Connecticut Grand Opera; and recorded with the Average White Band, Bob Baldwin, Marion Meadows’ Thunderstick, and Robbie Dupree. He currently also plays with the Hollywood All-Stars, his own big band The Jones Factor, and teaches at Fairfield University. www.johnfumasoliandthejonesfactor.com

Sunday, February 1, $12 ANDREW BEALS QUARTET

Saxophonist Andrew Beals has a rich sound, from soulful jazz solos to the rambunctious funk of his years with organ legend “Brother” Jack McDuff. A New York-based musician who plays widely in the region, Andrew also teaches jazz at WCSU in Danbury. His concerts feature off-the-beaten-track jazz standards and seriously swinging originals. Andrew’s 2013 Bluechip Jazz Records release “Birds’ 90th Birthday Concert” was a tribute to sax great Charlie Parker. His long career in jazz, including many years with legendary jazz organist “Brother” Jack McDuff and the “Heatin’ System”. Andrew was a semifinalist at the 1993 Thelonious Monk Jazz Saxophone Competition, and in 1998 was awarded a prestigious NYU Jazz Orchestra Scholarship. www.andrewbeals.net