Free Stamford Multicultural Jazz & Latin Concert Sunday May 5th

The Stamford Mayor's Multicultural Council presents the second "Afternoon of Jazz" to be held on Cinco de Mayo Sunday, May 5th, 2019, from 2:00 to 4:30 pm (doors open 1:30 pm) at the Unitarian Universalist Society at 20 Forest Street in downtown Stamford. The event with refreshments are free to the public and street meter and public lots parking is free on Sunday. Although walk-ins are welcomed, seating is limited and it is suggested to call Ana 203-219-0817 or email MayorsMCC@stamfordct.gov to reserve seat(s). The Afternoon of Jazz , co-chaired by Ana Gallegos and Corey Paris, includes live entertainment and conversations celebrating the local diversity and global appeal of jazz.

This year’s featured artists include Barbara Occhino and her band Barbara’s Serenade, Maria Tiscia and David Oliver, Sylvia Mims and Tony Davis, and the Westhill Jazz Ensemble. The Mayor's Multicultural Council of Stamford aims to inform, celebrate, promote, understand, appreciate, and respect the many diverse cultures that enrich Stamford. Visit Facebook.com/Mayors-Multicultural-Council-1248157598536132

ABOUT THE MUSICIANS:

BARBARA ESPINOSA OCCHINO is a multilingual vocalist (English, Spanish, French, Italian, and Portuguese) who manages Barbara’s Serenade bands and performs in the Metro New York area. Born in Cuba, she infuses the zest of her Latin roots along with her love of jazz music into her diverse repertoire. Barbara has performed at Stamford's The Palace, Harbor Point, The Bartlett Arboretum, corporate events, festivals, yacht and country clubs, and private affairs. She sang in Lincoln Center's Mostly Mozart Festival 50th Anniversary "the public domain" choir and has been a session vocalist and bilingual voice-over talent in NY/CT recording studios. Barbara has been a music/entertainment curator for the Stamford ARTWALK, Latham Park Sunday music series, and the Greenwich Holiday Stroll as well as charity events. She has been a choreographer for musical theatre and choral groups and a member of adult dance troupes. See BarbaraEntertains.com

BARBARA’S SERENADE features All Brooks on saxophone/flute, Steve Clarke on bass, Barbara Occhino on vocals, Jim Olbrys on guitar, and Bob Ramos on Latin percussion. Al Brooks is a saxophonist (tenor and alto) and flutist who has played for over 20 years with various bands in diverse music styles (jazz, dance, Latin, Big Band). Bassist and music composer Steve Clarke has toured in U.S. and Europe and performs with the 2-time Grammy nominated jazz flautist Sherry Winston as well as being a composer at Q-Up Recording Studio. Guitarist Jim Olbrys has performed at venues like CBGB, Texas Lone Star Road House, and The Bitter End and has worked as a sound engineer, on Billy Joel’s MTV crew in the USSR, and toured the US as a roadie with Meatloaf. Latin percussionist Bob Ramos is a professor and musicologist at the Rutgers University Graduate School and Mason Gross School of the Arts and has performed and toured in the US and abroad with the Rutgers Salsa Band and New York area bands. See BarbaraEntertains.com

MARIA TISCIA AND DAVID OLIVER. Maria Tiscia (vocalist) spent her formative years performing in TV and radio commercials with the late Don Elliot. Through her association with Elliot, she had the privilege of working on movie scores and projects for Quincy Jones. David Oliver (pianist) spent many years as a studio musician in Nashville where he performed with Ella Fitzgerald, Brenda Lee, Gladys Knight, etc. See facebook.com/maria.tiscia.7

SYLVIA MIMS GONCALVES seamlessly blends a deeply-rooted jazz sensibility with classical training and a love for various genres. Originally from Los Angeles, Sylvia has performed and recorded with a who’s who of musicians from both coasts, and has performed at various events and venues in California and on the East Coast. She has performed at Carnegie Hall as a winner in the American Fine Arts Festival’s Golden Voices of America Competition, and released her debut CD “Where Lovers Live”, a collection of love songs at various stages in a love story, in November 2014. Her sophomore CD, Rhapsody In Technicolor, was released this spring and showcases Sylvia’s warm, breathtaking vocals. Each of her performances has a full range of emotional shades that captivate and enthrall listeners, and her adeptness at singing diverse styles appeals to a broad audience; indeed, to anyone who loves music and wants to be moved. See SylviaMims.com

TONY DAVIS has been surrounded by music his entire life. Being the son of two professional musicians; pianist Mary DiPaola and trombonist Steve Davis. He picked up the guitar around the age of 14 and by 18 was working professionally and pursuing a degree at the Jackie McLean Institute of Jazz at the Hartt School of Music in Hartford, CT. After graduating in 2017, he moved to NYC to continue his pursuits as a performing, recording and teaching musician. He is now pursuing a Master's of Music degree at the City College of New York where he is on scholarship. Davis can be found playing at some of NYC's most notable venues with world renowned musicians. See TonyDavisMusic.com

WESTHILL JAZZ ENSEMBLE, under the director of Michael Wyatt, is the auditioned instrumental ensemble for Westhill High School. Crafted in the style of traditional big bands, this ensemble consists of five saxophones, four trumpets, two trombones, and a full rhythm section (piano, guitar, bass, and drum set). The ensemble plays a varied repertoire of many different styles and eras, include funk, swing, and bossa nova; as well as music from early Duke Ellington through more contemporary compositions by the likes of Gordon Goodwin. The Westhill Jazz Ensemble regularly plays at receptions for community organizations in Stamford, local jazz festivals and competitions, as well as many Westhill High School functions. See westhillband.weebly.com