Carnegie Hall Notables Present 9th Annual Notable Occasion Tonight

Tonight April 29, at 7:30 p.m., Nicola and Beatrice Bulgari and the Carnegie Hall Notables-a membership and ticket program for music enthusiasts in their 20s and 30s-will host the Ninth Annual Notable Occasion with award-winning jazz pianist Rossano Sportiello and his American Jazz Stars, performing works from the great American songbook in Zankel Hall.

After the exclusive concert, the Notables will gather at Redeye Grill for cocktails and dinner stations. The Ninth Annual Notable Occasion is generously underwritten by Nicola and Beatrice Bulgari. The evening will benefit music education in the New York metropolitan area by supporting the many music education programs created by Carnegie Hall's Weill Music Institute.

Award-winning jazz pianist Rossano Sportiello was born in Vigevano, Italy. He began studying piano at the age of nine under the tutelage of Italian classical pianist Carlo Villa, and graduated with a degree in classical piano from the Milan Conservatory in 1996. By the age of 16, Mr. Sportiello was performing professionally at jazz venues throughout Milan. In 1992, he joined one of Europe's historic jazz bands, the Milano Jazz Gang, and toured with the group throughout Italy and Western Europe until 2000.

Stylistically, critics consider Mr. Sportiello a follower of Ralph Sutton, Dave McKenna, and Barry Harris, although other great masters including Fats Waller, Teddy Wilson, Art Tatum, Count Basie, Earl Hines, Ellis Larkins, and Bill Evans can be heard in his playing. Mr. Sportiello has been a frequent guest at the Ascona Jazz Festival in Switzerland, and in 2009, he received the Ascona Jazz Award in recognition of his expertise and mastery of jazz piano. Mr. Sportiello has been a member of the Harry Allen Quartet since 2008, and regularly performs with some of the world's finest jazz luminaries.

The Ninth Annual Notable Occasion is part of a series of annual special events offered for Carnegie Hall Notables members. The Carnegie Hall Notables, a membership and ticket program for music enthusiasts in their 20s and 30s, is an exciting and energetic community of young people committed to advancing music education and the arts. Through original events, private performances with world-famous composers and musicians, discounted ticket prices to concerts, and music events throughout New York City, Notables members are invited to celebrate and intimately experience the exceptional power of music. Previous Notables events have included such artists as Gabriel Kahane, Alec Baldwin, Renée Fleming, Ana Gasteyer, Henry Rollins, and Duncan Sheik. The annual roster of events is curated by the Notables Committee, a diverse group of artists, socialites, and entrepreneurs in their 20s and 30s. Members experience all types of music, traditional, and contemporary. Contributions to the Notables program support the vital music education programs of Carnegie Hall's Weill Music Institute, which annually serves over 350,000 children, students, teachers, parents, young music professionals, and adults in the New York metropolitan area and across the US. For more information, visit carnegiehall.org/notables.

PROGRAM - Monday, April 29, THE NINTH ANNUAL NOTABLE OCCASION

7:30 p.m. - Private performance in Zankel Hall (Seventh Avenue between 57th and 56th Street)

ROSSANO SPORTIELLO, Piano
Rebecca Kilgore, Vocals
Randy Sandke, Trumpet
Harry Allen, Tenor Saxophone
Dan Barrett, Trombone
Joel Forbes, Bass
Dennis Mackrel, Drums

The Great American Songbook

9:00 p.m. - Cocktail Reception and Dinner Stations
Redeye Grill (890 Seventh Avenue)

The private performance and cocktail reception are free for Notables members at the Supporter level ($500 annually) and higher. Admission is $100 each for members at the Prelude level. Admission is not available to the general public for this event. For more information, call 212-903-9734, email notables@carnegiehall.org, or visit carnegiehall.org/notables.