Arts Council Evenings of Intimate Jazz continues April 20

GAINESVILLE - The Del Baroni Quartet with vocalist Jennifer Hanson is the fourth of five featured performances in this year's Evenings of Intimate Jazz at the Arts Council Smithgall Arts Center in Gainesville.

The group will perform Friday, April 20, at 8:00. Tickets are $30.00 each and can be ordered by calling 770-534-2787 or visiting www.TheArtsCouncil.net.

Del Baroni is a graduate of the University of Miami where he majored in music (Jazz and vocal). While in Florida he taught college level music as well as performing as a vocalist and bassist both in "live" and studio engagements.

Moving to Georgia in 1987 he has been busy in the Atlanta music scene enjoying a special musical relationship with Margaret Perrin as well as other local musicians. With an appreciation for American standard music, jazz, and the artists who had a public impact with both live and recorded performances, Del came up with the On the Air concept. He set out to recreate the excitement of live broadcasts as well as intimate jazz club settings utilizing vintage equipment and vocal stylings like Frank Sinatra in his shows. His musical intent is to set a tone of class and elegance. This quartet will feature classic swing emulating the full sound of the big bands, with hits from such artists as Frank Sinatra, Nat King Cole, Harry Connick, Tony Bennett and Ella Fitzgerald. You may also be treated to some Motown, pop, Latin, disco, and ethnic music.

Jez Graham is a fixture on the Atlanta music scene since 1988. Graham is a piano player, singer, and songwriter. He developed an ear for music early and remembers the joy of sitting around the piano playing and singing as a very young child. Jez's musical education was informed by family members, particularly his father and the sounds and sights of the times, including regular visits to The Fillmore East, Broadway Shows and Marx Brothers revivals, in fact his earliest musical influences are Chico and Harpo Marx.

Joel Morris is a freelance percussionist, composer and arranger who has worked throughout the Southeast. He has performed with various touring shows and artists including Phantom of the Opera National Tour, The Moody Blues, Widespread Panic, Mac Frampton, Joni Mitchell, Rita Moreno and Bernadette Peters. Morris also does symphonic, recording and club as well teaching private lessons and instructing at the Lovett School in Atlanta.

Jennifer Hanson grew up in the rugged landscape of Fln Flon, Manitoba, where there are two kinds of people: hockey players and singers. Though she is well known for her goalie skills, Hanson's voice is what people remember about her. Her torchy, seductive vocal style is among the finest in the current generation of jazz singers, while her stage presence is that of the classic generation of singers like Rosemary Clooney, Julie London and Vera Lynn.

Other artists in this year's Arts Council series include the Larry Barker (Pianist) Quartet which will perform on May 19. All performances will start at 8:00.