STPA Presents 'A Celebration of Jazz', 10/2

It's a Jazz jubilee at the Spencer Saturday, October 2 with two distinctive concerts performed by the best of the best in this great American genre of music.

The first half of the evening will feature internationally renowned classical and "stride" pianist Rossano Sportiello at the Steinway, performing both classic jazz and beautiful classical selections. Next, a concert of world-class swing cabaret style jazz entertainment by the Rebecca Kilgore Quartet will get your toes tapping and keep you in stitches with their antics. 
 
The Italian born Rossano Sportiello has a personal style touted for elegance and nuance, a flowing lyricism and intelligent use of space and silence. Often compared to masters like Ralph Sutton, Dave McKenna and Barry Harris, Sportiello is a in demand at New York venues such as the 92nd Street Y, Town Hall and the United Nations, as well as major jazz events like the San Diego Jazz Party, Chautauqua Jazz Festival, Newport Beach Jazz Party, and the Rocky Mountains Jazz Party. Internationally, Rossano performs regularly at the Norwich Jazz Party, Edinburgh Jazz Festival, Spoleto Piano Festival and Lucerne Piano Festival and at acclaimed venues such as the Lionel Hampton Jazz Club (Paris), Blue Note (Milan), and Schloss Elmau (Germany). He is the winner of the 2009 Ascona Jazz Award in recognition of his expertise and mastery of jazz piano, in particular stride piano, and has received acclaim for his solo piano Cds, specifically "Piano On My Mind" (2005, Jazz Connaisseur), which won the "Prix Du Jazz Classique de l'Académie du Jazz de France" and Heart and Soul" (2006, Arbors Records), selected by the French magazine Jazz Classique among the top 10 of the year. Rossano has also recorded two duet CDs with bassist/vocalist Nicki Parrott on Arbors Records, "Do It Again" (2009) and "People Will Say We're In Love" (2007), selected by The New Yorker magazine as one of the top 10 jazz CDs of 2007.

The impeccable taste and swinging, toe-tapping sound of the cabaret jazz group, The Rebecca Kilgore Quartet (formerly called BED) commands standing ovations throughout the world with its eclectic repertoire of classic swing jazz - everything from Little White Lies, A Dream's Holiday and Thanks for the Memory to Deep Water, That's A Plenty, Sleepy Time and Midnight in Moscow.  Starring Eddie Erickson (guitar/banjo/vocals), Dan Barrett (trombone, cornet and piano), Joel Forbes (bass) and Rebecca Kilgore (vocals), these world-class entertainers add warmth and irresistible humor to their every gig -- from concert halls and international jazz & blues festivals to intimate nightclubs and jazz cruises. As one reviewer says, their exemplary taste and penchant for bright and rich harmonies create programs with "a ton of ear appeal!" Kilgore is a leading song stylist who delights in preserving the music of the Great American Songbook. She was recently asked to perform with the Statesmen of Jazz to perpetuate the art of jazz for generations to come. She is a frequent guest on National Public Radio's Fresh Air with Terry Gross and A Prairie Home Companion with Garrison Keillor, and has made several appearances with Michael Feinstein at Carnegie Hall and Feinstein's New York cabaret. Other noted venues at which Kilgore and her Quartet are regulars include Birdland in NYC; The Plush Room at the York Hotel in San Francisco; The Jazz Bakery in Culver City, CA; the Oslo Jazz Festival, the Edinburgh Jazz & Blues Festival, the Los Angeles Sweet & Hot Music Festival and the Monterey Jazz Festival.

 

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