Sunday Jazz Continues at Pizzeria Lauretano

Written by Judith Joiner

Jazz is sizzling this July at Pizzeria Lauretano! The month begins July 12 with the first appearance at Pizzeria Lauretano by Brazilian-jazz combo Sambeleza and the lovely vocals of Isabella Mendes, celebrating their first CD. July 19 is the return visit of legendary bassist Bill Crow, and the popular Bethel-based Swing du Jour comes in July 26. The Pizzeria will be closed Sunday July 5th for the holiday weekend, and closed all Sundays in August. Join in now, the joint is jumping!

JULY

Sunday July 12 - Sambeleza - CD Release Concert! $15
“… sveltely swinging Brazilian jazz … bosses of bossa nova …” Owen McNally, Hartford Courant

Sambeleza derives its name from two words: samba, the national dance of Brasil, and beleza, Portuguese for ‘beauty.’ The Connecticut group lives up to it’s name, with Sao Paulo-native Isabella Mendes on piano and vocals, whose crystal-clear singing voice recalls the sound of Astrud Gilberto. Brazilian guitar specialist Joe Carter and jazz bassist Jeff Fuller are joined by Ben Bilello on drums. The groupcelebrates their new (first!) CD Sambeleza Live! recorded last year on the summer solstice by WPKN 89.5FM. The album includes guest artists Ali Ryerson on flute, Adriano Santoson drums and Zé Mauricio on percussion. Sambeleza performs a beautiful concert of well-known bossa novas and sambas by Brazil’s most outstanding composers - as well as some original tunes - with a jazz twist.
http://www.sambeleza.com/

Sunday July 19 - Bill Crow Quartet $15
Bill Crow, bass Hiroshi Yamazaki, piano Bob Kolb, tenor sax Roger Post, drums
Jazz legend Bill Crow has a great sense of humor and a great sense of jazz and blues. The bass player has worked with almost any jazz luminary you can name: Stan Getz, Marian McPartland, Nina Simone, Quincy Jones, Benny Goodman, Gerry Mulligan, Zoot Sims, Clark Terry, and one concert with the Duke Ellington Orchestra in 1958, which he describes as “the biggest thrill of my life.” A native of Seattle, Mr Crow came to New York in 1950 as a bright-eyed 22 year old. He’s written two books, From Birdland to Broadway and Jazz Anecdotes, which recount the early years of modern jazz and the pioneers he played with. Bill teaches us something fundamental about jazz whenever he performs here.

Sunday July 26 - Swing du Jour $15
Swing du Jour is Southern New England’s premiere gypsy swing band. Violin virtuoso Howie Bujese and Django-jazz guitar masterLarry Urbon (Cafe Musette) lead the group through the irrepressible music of Django Reinhardt and Stephane Grappelli. Norman Plankey(Fiddleheads) on guitar and Erik Van Laer on stand-up bass provide “la pompe” (the pump)— that essential rhythmic pulse that never fails to get toes tapping. Also known as “jazz manouche,” this joyful music has its roots in 1920s French Gypsy (Romani) traditions. With an ever-expanding repertoire of interesting lesser-known tunes interspersed with more familiar melodies like “Nuage” and “Minor Swing,” this group will leave you breathless.

Pizzeria Lauretano LLC
291 Greenwood Ave, Bethel CT
203 792 1500, pizzerialauretano.com