|
|
|
|
Szechuan Tokyo Restaurant Promote Your Page Too SZECHUAN TOKYO JAZZ CALENDAREmail us at paul@asianfusion.net to become a member of our mailing list. Details of this calendar are sent weekly, along with special members-only advance notices and discounts!
CONNECTICUT Magazine voted Szechuan Tokyo "Best Live Jazz" in "Best Of Connecticut 2009!"
Artists AND artist management please click here for important contact information! Updated Thursday, 29 July 2010 SHOWTIMES: ALL FRIDAY SHOWS ARE 8-11, UNLESS OTHERWISE NOTED. ALL SATURDAY SHOWS ARE 8:30-11:30. FRIDAY, JULY 30TROY BROWN AND FRIENDS - Jazzy at once, then funky, then soulful -- TROY BROWN is an enchanting personality and talented song stylist who'll get you off your feet. Troy and his exquisitely talented musicians make every performance a party! Bring lots of friends... Showtime's at 8:00. Please reserve at 860-561-0180. SATURDAY, JULY 31
Seth's material is vast and varied; he embraces the Standards as gracefully and energetically as he embraces up-to-the-minute soul and hip-hop.
FRIDAY, AUGUST 6
Showtime's 8:00 for this very special show (they just came back from a European tour and have finished up the group's latest CD, "New Beginnings" and it's tasty. Copies will be available the night of the show. Kindly reserve for this very special jazzy-funky evening (call 860-561-0180).
SATURDAY, AUGUST 7NORMAN GAGE TRIO: Norman Gage, saxophone; Jan Frankel, Hammond B-3 organ; Jay Williams, drums. We're delighted to have super-sax-man Norman back at Szechuan, and he's bringing some fine talent with him. (B-3 lovers, you gotta hear Jan's superb mastery of this jazzy instrument - Oh, and Norman and Jay ain't too bad either...) Showtime 8:30. Kindly call 860-561-0180 for reservations. FRIDAY, AUGUST 13
ABOUT THE ARTISTS:
Michael’s first exposure to the world of music was through his family and the popular music of his youth. Michael grew up in a family of talented performers. His grandfather came to America in 1909, with a cornet case and a dream for a brighter future. He taught music in Amsterdam, New York and in the New York City Schools, as well as forming concert bands in both places. By the end of his High School years Michael was devoting many hours to the “O’Leary Brothers Band”, where he was a piano player. Michael received his first Hammond organ as a High School graduation present in 1971. This was the catalyst to the future success of the now accomplished musician and vocalist. It was this gift that initiated Michael’s obsession to understand the mechanical artistry of the Hammond organ and the Leslie tone cabinet to the point of becoming a master Hammond organ/Leslie tone cabinet technician himself. Today, Michael Torsone’s collection of Hammond organs and Leslie speakers consists of 14 organs and 20 Leslies. By age 30, Michael had shared his technical acumen with such well known organists as Felix Cavaliere, Jimmy McGriff, Richard “Groove” Holmes and others. His early musical influences included artists such as Ray Charles, Felix Cavaliere and the Rascals, Vanilla Fudge, B.B. King, Santana, Tower of Power, Lee Michaels, The Allman Brothers, Steven Winwood, Keith Emerson, Yes, Deep Purple, Steppenwolf, Argent, The J. Giles band, Brian Auger and booker T. Jones. Read more by clicking on this link.  LIVIU POP, drums – originally from Romania, where he has played with some of the country’s best jazz and pop music artists, now residing in Hartford, Connecticut, keeps a busy schedule performing funk, soul, jazz and blues with some of the most prominent musicians in the New England area and some national and international artists, in addition to leading his own group. Liviu has toured and performed with: Sam Lay, Hubert Sumlin (Howlin’ Wolf’s guitarist), Debbie Davies, Lucky Peterson, Lil’ Dave Thompson, Tony Lynn Washington, Chris McDermott, Diane Blue, Chris Tofield, Slam Allen, Mighty Sam McClain, Roomful of Blues, and other prominent funk/blues and jazz artists. Also, Liviu is active with his own project, LIVIU POP INVITATIONAL GROUP, consisting of some of the most talented musicians in New England, offering a different line-up of artists at any given show. The music is a dynamic mix of funk, soul & jazz. SATURDAY, AUGUST 14
FRIDAY, AUGUST 20
TONY ALLEN has been a fixture on the musical scene in Connecticut for about 60 years. Now entering his 83rd year, his voice is still clear as a bell and his phrasing is spot-on. Crooners half his age struggle with notes and songs that Tony tackles with aplomb. Always involved in his community, Tony's as comfortable singing in the dining room of a Senior facility as he is on the big stage at a hotel or night club. Always a crooner, Tony's most at home with the Standards -- the songs of the Great Depression and the World War II era -- the tunes that Sinatra, Dorsey, Goodman, Bennett, Crosby and others made famous. Tony's at home working with a trio as he is fronting for a big band. Tony's latest album, "I Remember Front Street" is to this day selling briskly on CD Baby and has received nation-wide accolades. From his days in Hollywood, California with the singing group The Tempo Five, to stints with vocal groups in Connecticut and New York, to his solo career right here in Hartford, Tony Allen is a consummate professional. Tony can be found once a month at Szechuan Tokyo in the spring, summer and fall. Tony spends winters in West Palm Beach, Florida where he sings at clubs, restaurants and community centers. SATURDAY, AUGUST 21
We're reprising a recent sold-out Saturday for those of you who missed this great line-up 'cause you were attending the Greater Hartford Jazz Festival. Showtime: 8:30; kindly call 860-561-0180 for reservations and information! ABOUT THE ARTISTS: BILL COFRANCES The Billy Cofrances Jazz Quartet is a well known name in the New Haven area Jazz community, with regular shows at New Haven's 500 Blake Street and Colonial Tymes in Hamden. The quartet features Billy on alto and tenor saxphones, Tom Devino on drums, Doug Schlink on piano, and Steve Taylor on bass. The group, which has developed quite a following of Jazz lovers, has made several repeat performances at local jazz hot spots, including Main & Hopewell and The Arch Street Tavern in the Hartford area, The Silvermine Tavern in Norwalk, and Ernaccio's 17 Main Restaurant and Jazz Club in Mt.Kisco, NY. Billy also performs regularly throughout the east coast with Harold Zinno, John Mobilio, and Jack Varanelli. Billy Cofrances started his career as a member of the popular east coast favorite JUMP STREET. Since then, Billy and his Selma Mark IVtenor and alto saxophones have been thrilling audiences all throughout New England; working with some of the best in the business: legendary jazz pianist SARAH CION; jazz vocalists BILLY WESTON and GIACOMO GATES many appearances with WALT ANDRUS, lead singer with the Tommy Dorsey Big Band; the great saxman RALPH LALAMA of Village Vanguard and the Carnegie Hall Jazz Band, and the great saxman TONY LAVORGNA. Billy also performed at the Concord Hotel in the Catskills, where he developed his classic arrangement of Tea for Two. FRIDAY, AUGUST 27
SATURDAY, AUGUST 28CROSSROADS ON THE BLUES HORIZON: High-energy blues/soul band presents your favorite classics in a hot style with enormous technical proficiency. Showtime: 8:30. Get ready to dance around like a fool! FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 3BILL HOLLOMAN GROUP: Sax-man Bill Holloman is joined by monster bassist CRAIG GARFINKEL, talented drummer FRANK GIGUERE and pianist JOE GRIECO at 8:00 for an eclectic menu of jazz and blues standards as well as some obscurities. Get ready to dance, or at least tap your toes because, with Bill on-stage, the audience consistently comments that they didn't eat dinner because they're so mesmerized by the performance. Kindly make reservations (860) 561-0180 for this popular show. Bill appeared with members of Hartford's popular group "Street Temperature ('87)" last year and they sold the show out completely with only a week's promotion of the event. His schedule's always full but he's found the time to appear at Szechuan Tokyo over a dozen times, always to public and critical acclaim. CRAIG and FRANK also participated in the Street Temperature re-union. JOE GRIECO is a member of Connecticut's popular group The Cartells, among other things. ABOUT THE ARTISTS: BILL HOLLOMAN is Connecticut's "Hardest Working Musician in Television," having recently composed and recorded music heard on ESPN's ESPY award show, CBS's "The Guiding Light," NBC's NHL awards show, and TNT's NASCAR awards show. He shared an Emmy award for his work on the HBO Sports documentary "Legendary Nights." Bill's list of talent either recorded/played with includes: Bruce Springsteen, Paul Simon, Diana Ross, Slash (Guns and Roses), Steve Winwood, Elton John, Steven Tyler (Aerosmith), Michael Bolton, Simon Le Bon (Duran Duran), Blood Sweat & Tears, Patti Labelle, The B-52s, Fath Hill, the late Les Paul and many, many others. Bill's inimitable style of playing jazz is at once hard-hitting and funky/sweet. We are honored that he's gracing our stage yet again. Bill endorses Rico Reeds. CRAIG GARFINKEL: The ever-so-humble Craig, who composes, plays and records with some of the nation's biggest names in jazz and pop, submitted the following bio: "Craig's musical infancy included the recorder in elementary school, drums (briefly -- mom said "no way!"), trumpet, baritone sax and trombone. At age 13 joined first garage band, playing string bass. "Joined first legit working club band in 1977 at age 17. Upon high school graduation decided you couldn't get chicks with a baritone horn, so decided to study electric bass at Berklee College of Music. Still couldn't get chicks. Left after one year to study at the University of Miami for a whole semester. Quit school for good. Moved to Chicago. Moved back from Chicago. Lots of bands, lots of gigs. "Joined Hartford area jazz/fusion/horn band Street Temperature. Finally got chicks. Lots more bands, lots more gigs. Finally started own band as a leader in 2000, Mystery Feet. "Made two records...er...CDs, latest "Upstream" released in Oct of 2006. Currently playing in lots more bands with lots more gigs. One chick...the greatest ever to walk the earth. Can be seen and heard now when in the Hartford CT area with the Matt Zeiner Band, Mosaic, the Bill Holloman Group and Bipolar Jukebox (as a sub). The saga continues... " Craig endorses Sadowski basses. FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 10
TONY
ALLEN AND HIS COMBO: Join "That Front Street Guy" for an evening
of smooth standards. He's our favorite crooner! This is classic
WWII-era music that swings hard and lyrics that're some of the
finest ever written. TONY ALLEN has been a fixture on the musical scene in Connecticut for about 60 years. Now entering his 83rd year, his voice is still clear as a bell and his phrasing is spot-on. Crooners half his age struggle with notes and songs that Tony tackles with aplomb. Always involved in his community, Tony's as comfortable singing in the dining room of a Senior facility as he is on the big stage at a hotel or night club. Always a crooner, Tony's most at home with the Standards -- the songs of the Great Depression and the World War II era -- the tunes that Sinatra, Dorsey, Goodman, Bennett, Crosby and others made famous. Tony's at home working with a trio or fronting for a big band. He's no Sinatra imitator; he's got his own deceptively casual style that's actually based on years of practice, training and discipline. Tony's latest album, "I Remember Front Street" is to this day selling briskly on CD Baby and has received nation-wide accolades. From his days in Hollywood, California with the singing group The Tempo Five, to stints with vocal groups in Connecticut and New York, to his solo career right here in Hartford, Tony Allen is a consummate professional. Tony can be found once a month at Szechuan Tokyo in the spring, summer and fall. Tony spends winters in West Palm Beach, Florida where he sings at clubs, restaurants and community centers. SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 11
ABOUT THE ARTIST:
LIVIU POP, drums – originally from Romania, where he has played with some of the country’s best jazz and pop music artists, now residing in Hartford, Connecticut, keeps a busy schedule performing funk, soul, jazz and blues with some of the most prominent musicians in the New England area and some national and international artists, in addition to leading his own group. Liviu has toured and performed with: Sam Lay, Hubert Sumlin (Howlin’ Wolf’s guitarist), Debbie Davies, Lucky Peterson, Lil’ Dave Thompson, Tony Lynn Washington, Chris McDermott, Diane Blue, Chris Tofield, Slam Allen, Mighty Sam McClain, Roomful of Blues, and other prominent funk/blues and jazz artists. Also, Liviu is active with his own project, LIVIU POP INVITATIONAL GROUP, consisting of some of the most talented musicians in New England, offering a different line-up of artists at any given show. The music is a dynamic mix of funk, soul & jazz. FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 17
ABOUT THE ARTIST: KAREN FRISK is a jazz vocalist who has performed in several areas of the country with local and world-renowned jazz artists. Originally from Cromwell, Connecticut, Karen always claimed she was singing before she was speaking. She started singing with recordings at the age of four and by the time she was seven she entertained the neighborhood by holding small musical productions in her home. After participating in church choirs, local community musical theatre productions and studying classical voice at Richard Donohue Studios, Karen was selected to tour Bavaria and perform with the Concordia Youth Choir sponsored through the Boston Conservatory. In her late teens the “jazz bug” bit her… swing, Latin jazz and R&B filled her soul and the rest is history. She started studying jazz piano with Merrill Doucette at the Hartford Conservatory and then moved on to study jazz/pop vocals and performance with Roberta Peck-Vater, a music educator and Capitol Records recording artist. Karen moved to Cape Cod in the 1980’s and worked with local and Boston area musicians as a vocalist participating in benefit concerts, jazz venues, and weddings. She has shared the stage with many premier jazz artists including Dave McKenna, world-renowned pianist; Dick Johnson, former Artie Shaw Orchestra band leader; Gray Sargent, guitarist currently with the Tony Bennett Orchestra. She moved back to Connecticut in the early 1990’s and has since been performing in the Northeast as well as other parts of the country, and has been revered as one of the premier jazz vocalists in Southern New England. Karen has a very diverse sound. Within her five-octave range, her vocal styles cover breathy ballads to heart-wrenching blues, sexy Latin rhythms to up-tempo swing and more. Although she has been influenced by some of her favorite artists… Sarah Vaughan, Carmen McRae, Ella Fitzgerald, Shirley Horn, Maxine Sullivan, Rosemary Clooney, Joe Williams, Bobby McFerrin, Mark Murphy, Tony Bennett . . . Karen has developed a sound all her own. She loves to bend the notes, play with the timing and keep swingin’!
He has recorded TV jingles for Don Elliott Productions and also recorded for Playscape Records with Michael Mussilami, Randy Brecker, Ray Drummond, Claudio Roditi, Ralph Moore, Thomas Chapin, as well as for Janet Marlow and Phyllis Hyman. He has performed in concert with jazz notables Clark Terry, Phil Woods, Kenny Burrell, Steve Rossi, Jon Hendricks, Cassandra Wilson, among many others. In 2005 Kent released a CD of his own compositions called Little Town by the Sea, a tribute to Noank, a maritime village in his hometown of Groton, CT. The CD was commissioned by the Noank Historical Society and the Groton Tercentennial Committee for Groton’s 300th anniversary. Kent was the first pianist to open at the famous Tropicana Hotel in Atlantic City. He has been solo house pianist at the noted New York jazz club Jimmy Ryan’s and has toured Europe with Czech trumpeter Laco Deczi. He has collaborated with writer Melanie Greenhouse and composed music for her popular theatrical productions Point of Land and The Duchess. He has also collaborated with Connecticut Poet Laureate Marilyn Nelson for the prestigious Sunken Gardens poetry festival and recorded a CD Poems to Music. He recently composed and performed music for a spoken word CD for the childrens’ book The Ladder. Kent holds a music degree in Theory and Composition from the University of Connecticut and a business degree from Boston University. He has studied piano and theory with Ray Santisi, Charlie Mariano, Hal Galper, Fred Hersch, Ron Brown, and Hale Smith. He has taught for Berklee College of Music, Trinity College, The Hartford Conservatory, The Music School of the Rhode Island Philharmonic as well as Summerkeys in Maine. He also has been active as a performer and clinician for the Hartford Jazz Society. SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 18TOM DEVINO TRIO (personnel t.b.a.). Showtime: 8:30 FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 24TH
Mike's managed to get some superb talent involved: as well as some awesome corporate sponsors. Artists invited to appear and have responded include: Ben Bilello, Kenny Aldrich, Joe Palmer, Rich Tortorigi, Mike Augeri, Steve Clarke, Dezron Douglas, Matt Dwonczyk, Maxine Martin, Gary Wolsieffer, Sinan Bakir, Noah Baerman, J.R. LaRosa, Dan Arcamone, Josh Evans, vocalist Marion K. Sawyer, Dave Dana, Jovan Alexandre, Mark Kaplan, Ken Fischer, Warren Byrd, MC WWUH jazz radio's Maurice Robertson, many more. Buy tickets beginning September 1 for $22 per person; price goes up to $28 the day before the show. The price is $30 if you obtain tickets (if any are left) at the door. Call 860-561-0180 for reservations and information. Your reservation will be held by credit card. Many more exciting details to follow... mark your calendars! SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 25CROSSROADS ON THE BLUES HIGHWAY: Exciting blues and soul from LOU GRIMALDI and his buddies. Get ready to dance like a fool! Showtime's 8:30. FRIDAY, OCTOBER 1THERESA WRIGHT is putting the finishing touches on her exciting new album; a disc of all-original songs in an R&B vein. Theresa's voice is fresh, clear and articulate; this music's jazz influence is very, very clear. That, in combination with a restrained use of R&B riffs and sounds makes for an approachable sound that's toe-tappingly delectable. Pianist BRAD RICKERT will accompany Theresa, along with STEVE CLARK on bass, JIM ARNOLD on drums and a bevvy of back-up singers. Showtime's 8:30. Please reserve (860) 561-0180 as Theresa's appearances here fill up quickly. FRIDAY, OCTOBER 8
TONY
ALLEN AND HIS COMBO: Join "That Front Street Guy" for an evening
of smooth standards. He's our favorite crooner! This is classic
WWII-era music that swings hard and lyrics that're some of the
finest ever written. TONY ALLEN has been a fixture on the musical scene in Connecticut for about 60 years. Now entering his 83rd year, his voice is still clear as a bell and his phrasing is spot-on. Crooners half his age struggle with notes and songs that Tony tackles with aplomb. Always involved in his community, Tony's as comfortable singing in the dining room of a Senior facility as he is on the big stage at a hotel or night club. Always a crooner, Tony's most at home with the Standards -- the songs of the Great Depression and the World War II era -- the tunes that Sinatra, Dorsey, Goodman, Bennett, Crosby and others made famous. Tony's at home working with a trio or fronting for a big band. He's no Sinatra imitator; he's got his own deceptively casual style that's actually based on years of practice, training and discipline. Tony's latest album, "I Remember Front Street" is to this day selling briskly on CD Baby and has received nation-wide accolades. From his days in Hollywood, California with the singing group The Tempo Five, to stints with vocal groups in Connecticut and New York, to his solo career right here in Hartford, Tony Allen is a consummate professional. Tony can be found once a month at Szechuan Tokyo in the spring, summer and fall. Tony spends winters in West Palm Beach, Florida where he sings at clubs, restaurants and community centers.
|
|
Send
email to
jazz@asianfusion.net
with questions or comments about this web site. Last modified:
07/29/10 |
SETH
SHARP and his TRIO: Seth's joining us with piano (Adrian Untermyer) and
drums (Lionel Crawford) in a triumphant return to the Greater Hartford area. This
Yale graduate has made his home in Reykjavik, Iceland for some time now
and we're delighted that he's going to grace the stage at Szechuan for
his only local appearance while visiting family here. Showtime 8:30.
STEVE
CLARKE TRIO CD RELEASE PARTY! Steve Clarke - Bass ( Laco
Deczi, Sherry Winston )
LIVIU
POP FUNK-JAZZ INVITATIONAL (TRIO). MIKE TORSONE, Hammond B-3; BOB
LUSTGARTEN, Guitar; LIVIU POP, drums. Showtime 8:00.
MICHAEL
TORSONE has developed one of the most professional sounds in the
music community. This smooth, cool sound of jazz is generated by the
world renowned Hammond B3 organ. The powerful but controlled voice of
Michael in combinations with the vintage instrument creates the
nostalgic and natural groove that cannot be replicated by the electronic
chicanery of modern, electronic keyboards. His versatility and
conviction to Jazz, Blues and R & B, augmented by his magnetic stage
presence is the cornerstone to the success that Michael currently
enjoys. 
MIKE
BAFUNDO'S YOUNG LIONS - One of our most popular (and eclectic) groups.
Showtime 8:30. Additional personnel t.b.a.
TONY
ALLEN AND HIS COMBO: Join "That Front Street Guy" for an evening
of smooth standards. He's our favorite crooner! This is classic
WWII-era music that swings hard and lyrics that're some of the
finest ever written.
THE
BILLY COFRANCES QUARTET featuring WALT ANDRUS, vocals. Walt spent many
years fronting the TOMMY DORSEY band. BILLY COFRANCES is a fixture on
the swing scene in Connecticut. Together they make fabulous music for
your listening and dancing pleasure. DOUG SCHLINK, piano; LOU
BOCCIARELLI, bass; TOM DEVINO is drummer and producer of this show. 
JIMMY MACBRIDE QUARTET Jimmy Macbride, drums; Benny Benack III,
trumpet; Matt Knoegel, sax; Luke Celenza, keyboard; Raviv Markovitz,
bass. Superb young talent -- Jimmy's attending Juilliard! Modern jazz
with a fresh attitude. This show's going to be extremely popular so
reserve by calling 860-561-0180. Showtime's 8:00 sharp. See you there!
VOCALIST KAREN FRISK WITH KENT HEWITT AND THE GANG. Showtime: 8:00.
Kindly call 860-561-0180 for reservations and further information.
KENT
HEWITT (piano): Kent has been a mainstay of jazz and popular piano
in Southern New England for many years. A consummate soloist and
accompanist, he has been musical director for numerous popular
Connecticut jazz clubs. Kent leads his own trio which features a
“Tribute to the Great Pianists” of the Golden Era of Jazz. His recent CD
Time on my Hands is a jazz trio recording of unique and elegant
standards from great American and Brazilian composers. 
Drummer
MIKE AUGERI is producing a benefit concert to help out the folks
at the Rocky Hill Veterans' Home. Contrary to popular belief,
this place is under the aegis of the State of Connecticut's Dept. of
Veterans' Affairs; and not a part of the U.S. Veterans' Administration.
The facilities there are wonderful; what we propose it to provide funds
that drying-up budgets don't have for things like recreation and other
ancillary programs that aren't properly funded.
SATURDAY,
OCTOBER 9: SPECIAL SHOW!
DAN
ARCAMONE TRIO: Dan Arcamone - Guitar; Mark Small - Tenor Saxophone; Rich
Zurkowski - Bass; Joe Palmer - Drums. Showtime's 8:30. Kindly call
860-561-0180
First
Hartford appearance of vocalist/recording artist/composer DIANE LINSCOTT.
Featuring PHIL BOWLER, bass; JOE MC WILLIAMS, piano; and JOE RONAN,
drums. Showtime 8:00. Diane Linscott is an extraordinarily talented singer who's cut seven albums of
music from The Great American Songbook.
