Higganum vocalist to be featured in 15th edition of “Wine, Jazz, & Song” January 21 in Farmington

Local vocalist Stacey Grimaldi performs on January 21 in the 15th edition of Wine, Jazz, & Song.

Ms. Grimaldi, the Sir William Trio, and four other vocalists from CONCORA (Connecticut Choral Artists) will offer interpretations of jazz standards, selections from the American songbook, and much more on Saturday, January 21, 2017, from 6-9 PM, in Porter Memorial Hall, 75 Main Street, Farmington.

Led by bassist William Stillinger, the Sir William Trio includes James Argiro on piano and Gregory Caputo on drums. The Hartford Courant has praised Argiro as “...a strong soloist and a savvy accompanist ... regarded by his peers as a craftsman of the first order,” while Classic Drummer Magazine lauds Gregory Caputo as “a master drummer who speaks volumes in refined sensibilities with superb technique."

“For us classical musicians, who are expected to sing the notes as they’re printed on the page, singing jazz is a completely different experience,” said Ms. Grimaldi. “We singers and the Sir William Trio don't spend a whole lot of time rehearsing together. It can be frightening - in fact, I'm usually a wreck the day of the performance! But the trio is amazing, and once I get up there on stage, I have a fantastic time listening to what they're doing and playing off of them, as they do with me. The whole event is just a blast. Watching the audience sing and dance and have a good time is part of the fun for me, too.”

Along with Ms. Grimaldi, the other featured vocalists include Salli-Jo Borden, Kenneth Downes, Jermaine Woodard, Jr., and Steve Mitchell, who is also the master of ceremonies for the evening. CONCORA audiences who are familiar with these singers as classical vocal soloists will be surprised and delighted to hear their skillful “crossover” performances of standards by Cole Porter, Stevie Wonder, George Shearing, Jimmy McHugh, and others.

Guests will enjoy fine wines, plentiful, delectable hors d’oeuvres, a silent wine auction, write-your-own song dedications, and perhaps even a spin around the dance floor, all in a casually elegant atmosphere.

This midwinter festivity is hosted by CONCORA’s Friends of Bach in support of CONCORA's annual performance of music by J.S. Bach.

Tickets for this special event are $50 per person, and may be reserved at https://www.eventbrite.com/e/w... or by contacting the CONCORA office at 860-293-0567 or contact@concora.org. The snow date is Sunday, January 22, 2017, 6-9 pm.

About CONCORA - CONCORA (Connecticut Choral Artists), is the region’s first professional choir. Now in its 43rd season, and the second under Artistic Director Chris Shepard, the ensemble enjoys an extraordinary reputation for artistic excellence throughout New England. CONCORA’s mission statement – “to perpetuate and perform with excellence choral music of the highest quality for the broadest possible audience” – represents a commitment to the Connecticut community and to artistic excellence, masterful performances, and educational enrichment. More information about CONCORA is available at www.concora.org.

About CONCORA’s Friends of Bach - The Friends of Bach Committee is a volunteer organization whose mission is to enhance and support CONCORA’s highly-regarded annual performances of the music of J.S. Bach. Through a series of events and the donations of individual Bach lovers, the Friends of Bach raise funds to make CONCORA's Bach performances possible. More information at http://www.concora.org/join-the-friends-of-bach.html.

EVENT DETAILS

WHAT: Wine, Jazz, & Song -- An evening of smooth instrumental and vocal jazz, with plentiful food and wine

WHEN: Saturday, January 21, 2017, 6:00 PM; snow date: Sunday, January 22, 2017, 6:00 PM

WHERE: Porter Memorial, 75 Main Street, Farmington, CT 06032. Plenty of free, off-street parking is available.

WHO: Sir William Trio and CONCORA vocalists

TICKETS: $50 per person

CONTACT: For tickets, visit https://www.eventbrite.com/e/w... or contact the CONCORA office at 860-293-0567 or contact@concora.org. Advance reservations are suggested, though tickets will also be available at the door.

Photo: Algis Kaupas