Downtown Concert Features Shawnn Monteiro Singing Gershwin Song Book
HARTFORD, February 24, 2010 – To celebrate the 50th anniversary of the Grammy award winning album Ella Fitzgerald Sings the George and Ira Gershwin Songbook, the Hartford Symphony Orchestra Jazz and Strings ensemble will perform Ella & Gershwin on Friday, April 9, 2010 at 7:30 p.m. at Immanuel Congregational Church. Conceived and directed by HSO percussionist Gene Bozzi, this program will feature vocalist Shawnn Monteiro performing such classics as “Let’s Call The Whole Thing Off,” “I’ve Got a Crush on You,” and “I Got Rhythm” to the accompaniment of an all-star line-up of HSO musicians, including Gene Bozzi, drums; Rick Rozie, bass; Walter Gwardyak, piano; John Mastroianni and Bobbie DePalma, saxophone; and members of the HSO strings and brass sections.
Shawnn Monteiro has delighted audiences from the USA to Europe with her highly popular jazz repertoire laced with blues-oriented improvisations and the American Songbook. Ms. Monteiro has shared the stage with a prestigious list of notables jazz names, including Clark Terry, Red Holloway, Ray Brown, Lionel Hampton, Frank Foster and the Basie Band, Nat Adderly, Kenny Barron, Hank Jones, Bobby Durham, James Williams, Jimmy Cobb, Keter Betts, Stanley Jordan, Ed Thigpen, Johnny Griffin, Benny Golson, and more. Ms. Monteiro is an adjunct Professor in Jazz Vocals at both Rhode Island College and The Hartt School.
Initiated in March 2009, the Hartford Symphony Orchestra Jazz and Strings Project is an ongoing effort led by HSO principal timpanist Eugene “Gene” Bozzi to bring collaborative performances of Jazz and Classical music to downtown Hartford. Performances to date have included the music of Charlie Parker and Stan Getz, and have featured performances by such notable jazz musicians as Kris Allen, Joel Frahm, and Shawnn Monteiro. “We have found a real opportunity for a new type of music series in Hartford, says Gene Bozzi. “The fusion of stringed instruments and a rhythm section gives listeners a special treat, appealing to Classical and Jazz lovers alike.”
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CALENDAR LISTING:
HSO Jazz and Strings: ELLA & GERSHWIN
Hartford Symphony Orchestra featuring: Shawnn Monteiro, vocals; Gene Bozzi, drums; Rick Rozie, bass; Walter Gwardyak, piano; John Mastroianni and Bobbie DePalma, saxophone; members of the HSO string and brass sections
Friday, April 9, 2010 │ 7:30 p.m. │Immanuel Congregational Church
Ticket Prices: $20 in advance; $25 at the door
Program: S’Wonderful, Fascinating Rhythm, Someone to Watch over Me, Nice Work if You Can Get It, Let’s Call the Whole Thing Off, I’ve got a Crush on You, The Man I Love, They Can’t Take That Away From Me, A Foggy Day, I Got Rhythm
The Hartford Symphony Orchestra receives major support from the Greater Hartford Arts Council, the Hartford Foundation for Public Giving, the National Endowment for the Arts, and the Connecticut Commission on Culture & Tourism, which receives support from the National Endowment for the Arts.