The Songs of Sinatra and Bennett

The Songs of Sinatra and Bennett. 

Pianist John Brighenti and vocalist Lou Provenzano will present a sampler of songs from two of the 20th century’s greatest entertainers, Tony Bennett and Frank Sinatra taking the audience on a journey back  to the era of the Great American songbook.

Tony Bennett is an American singer of traditional pop standards, big band, show tunes, and jazz, and was still actively touring until his recent retirement at the age of 95. He is founder of the Frank Sinatra School of the Arts in Astoria, Queens, New York.

Frank Sinatra was an American singer, actor and producer, and one of the most popular, influential and best-selling music artists of all time, having sold more than 150 million records worldwide.

About the Performers: 

Lou Provenzano is a fine singer of romantic ballads who can swing with the best of them. Lou's band the Castaways performed for many years in New York and New Jersey night clubs in the 1960's including the infamous "Living Room" in East Orange owned by mob boss Angelo "Gyp" DeCarlo played by Christopher Walken in the movie "Jersey Boys". He recently returned to jazz and the Great American Songbook working with his mentor, Donn Trenner, who acts as his singing coach and musical adviser. Lou has written two original songs this past year--music and lyrics. Lou is a popular attraction singing at the Nutmeg Restaurant with a big band and he and pianist John Brighenti perform together in clubs, libraries and other venues throughout Connecticut.

John Brighenti is a native of New Britain and a 1967 graduate of the Hartt College of Music. After graduating, he enrolled at the Hartford Conservatory of Music to pursue studies in big band arranging and jazz piano techniques with the prominent Hartford pianist, composer, arranger and historian, Ray Cassarino. John traveled to New York to study jazz improvisation with the world-renowned jazz pianist and composer, Lennie Tristano and the great jazz saxophonist/pianist Jerry Bergonzi. He then toured the U.S. playing piano for the Glenn Miller Orchestra under the direction of Jimmy Henderson. In 2013, John performed at The Baby Grand Jazz Series at the Hartford Public Library with his trio and singer Erin O’Luanaigh.  A live CD recording “Swingin’ On a Sunday Afternoon” was made of that concert, a first in the 10-year history of this prestigious jazz series. In addition to performing, he finds great satisfaction in his role as a teacher of piano and music theory. John credits his mother, Angeline Battistone Brighenti, for his musical genes and being his inspiration. "Little Angie" sang in an all-girls band called The Novelty Syncopators, turned down an offer from Rudy Vallee's agent, and chose to give up show business to be a wife and mother.

This event is made possible by Richard P. Garmany through a grant awarded by the Hartford Foundation for Public Giving.

Registration Required.

Masks Required.