 Gene Bertoncini
Gene Bertoncini, often called the "Segovia of Jazz", will perform on Friday, July 10th and Saturday, July 11th in the elegant bar lounge in the Kitano Hotel, 68 Park Ave. in New York. Gene Bertoncini is one of the most acclaimed jazz guitarists of the last 50 years. A one-time sideman to Buddy Rich, a distinguished accompanist to singers such as Lena Horne, Tony Bennett and Carmen MacCrae, and a member of the late ‘60's Tonight Show Band, Bertoncini has also collaborated with such diverse musicians as Benny Goodman, Wayne Shorter, and Chet Baker. Bertoncini will be appearing with Ike Sturm on bass, Rich De Rosa on drums and guest soloist Sara Caswell on violin.
Bertoncini is one of the pioneers of the nylon-string acoustic guitar. With elegance and ease, he bridges the jazz, classical, pop, and bossa nova styles, integrating his own spontaneous and tasteful improvisations along the way. His fluid technique and lyricism have won him international praise and accolades for his artistry on both the classical and electric guitar.
A native of New York City, Bertoncini attended the University of Notre Dame where he received a degree in architecture. He used his degree twice when he designed a house for his parents and another for his brother. He describes the architectural experience as something which gives his music its finely-wrought form and style. He wins continual praise for the superb structure of his arrangements and improvisations which serve as a vehicle for his virtuosic technique.
Mr. Bertoncini’s teaching credits include the Eastman School of Music where he regularly performs and conducts summer workshops for jazz guitarists, the New England Conservatory, New York University, and the Banff School of Fine Arts.  Sara Caswell © Ann Schertz A graduate of Indiana University, which Sara Caswell attended under full scholarship as a Wells Scholar, Sara received B.M. Degrees with High Distinction and an Artist Diploma in both Violin Performance and Jazz Studies. In 2006, Sara completed her M.M. Degree in Jazz Violin at the Manhattan School of Music. Amongst her numerous stellar teachers, Sara studied several years with the legendary Josef Gingold (classical) and David Baker (jazz). She has also worked with many of today’s top jazz artists at the Thelonious Monk Institute of Jazz Summer Residency Program in Aspen CO and at the Steans Institute for Young Artists at the Ravinia Jazz Festival in Chicago. Sara’s 100+ music honors include several DownBeat Awards, a front-line position in the Sisters in Jazz Collegiate Competition, and numerous jazz scholarships and first-place prizes in the classical competition world. July 10-11, sets: 8 & 10 PM
$25 cover charge
68 Park Ave. @ 38th Street NYC
Reservations: 212 885 7119
http://www.kitano.com |
New York 
Saturday, 20 March 2010
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