This week, as part of the continuing “Tuesday Jazz Trio Series,” Bassist Hal Slapin and Drummer John Vourtsis welcome pianist Ted Brancato to our stage. Born and raised in Seattle, WA, Ted has spent most of his 40+ year career in the New York City area. For 15 years he was musical director for jazz singer Jeanie Bryson, creating arrangements for her and playing on three of her recordings. He had a fruitful 30+ year song-writing collaboration with singer/songwriter Eugene McDaniels (“One Hundred Pounds Of Clay”, “Feel Like Making Love”) writing songs for Nancy Wilson, Les McCann, and Jeanie Bryson recordings. Ted has toured to the far corners of the globe, playing in Brazil, Japan, Greece, and the Netherlands with Jeanie Bryson, and doing two USIA tours to West Africa with jazz singer Dee Daniels. In November 2018 Ted travelled to Switzerland to play with Dee once again. For the last 15 years Ted has operated a recording studio in Springfield, NJ where he recorded his first solo recording entitled “The Next Step” in 2013 featuring Ron Carter on bass and Terry Silverlight on drums. He came out with a second solo album in March 2017 entitled “Bicoastal” featuring Lou Marini on sax and a fine ensemble of New Jersey based musicians: Lee Finkelstein on drums, Gregory Jones on bass, and Ben Williams on trombone. Both of Ted’s albums feature his original compositions. In addition to his work at Mahogany Studio, Ted is currently the Director of Music Ministry at Clinton Presbyterian Church, and has been the keyboard player for the "Blue Soul" R&B band for the past 13 years. He also freelances as a jazz pianist. 

And come early to hear Rich Court playing solo piano. Standards, Beatles & beyond. He starts at 5:30. Happy Hour from 4:30 - 6:00 with half price beers, select wines and dim sum offerings.

Tonight’s Trio begins at 6:30 and performs two sets. Reservations are always recommended.