The Brandon McCune Trio Annouce Residency at Bemelmans Bar in The Carlyle

Revered pianist/singer Brandon McCune will be joined by bassist and musical director Chris Berger and bebop jazz guitarist extraordinaire Ron Affif to perform as The Brandon McCune Trio during a Sunday-night residency at Bemelmans Bar in The Carlyle, A Rosewood Hotel through October.

Bemelmans Bar is located in The Carlyle, A Rosewood Hotel (35 East 76th Street @ Madison Avenue). The Brandon McCune Trio will play Sundays in October at 9:00 p.m. Bar seating is $15 per person and table seating is $25 per person. Reservations not accepted; tables available on a first-come, first-serve basis. For additional information, visit www.thecarlyle.com.

Brandon McCune is a Chicago native whose musical studies began at age three when his parents enrolled him in the Suzuki Method of Classical Piano. Over the course of his career, Brandon has worked with acclaimed artists including Abbey Lincoln, Terence Blanchard, Nneena Freelon, Miki Howard and Wynton Marsalis. He has written music for choreographer Camille A. Brown's Matchstick and Groove to Nobody's Business, which is currently touring with the Alvin Ailey Dance Company.

Chris Berger, a beloved Bemelmans staple, spent a year touring the world with legendary trumpeter Maynard Ferguson and has worked and/or recorded with jazz luminaries Herb Ellis, Hubert Laws, James Williams, Toshiko Akiyoshi and Jeff "Tain" Watts. Outside of jazz, Berger joined the band of the off-Broadway production of Rent in 1994 and the orchestra of Broadway's After Midnight in 2014. He also spent ten years in residency at Bemelmans Bar as part of the Loston Harris Trio. Since 2011, Berger has been an integral figure at the venue performing with the David Budway Trio in addition to The Brandon McCune Trio.

Guitarist Ron Affif has gained a reputation for his unique personal approach to jazz. Affif's style is reminiscent of icons Wes Montgomery and George Benson. Benson once described Affif as his "favorite type of guitar player, one that plays with fire."

At the residency, The Brandon McCune Trio will be joined by a selection of special guests, beginning with esteemed Brooklyn based vocalist Charenee Wade on October 12. Then, on October 19, Chicago native Kimberly Gordon, who has been a part of the national jazz scene for twenty-five years, playing top venues and receiving high acclaim from critics and musicians alike. Celebrated jazz vocalist Kurt Elling recently declared: "Kimberly Gordon is the real deal. The ultimate swing-lovers singer!" Closing the run on October 26 will be Aurora Barnes, whom iconic Broadway actress Bernadette Peters proclaimed "has a beautiful singing voice with wonderful technique."

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