Scola Tristano Plays at Birdland

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Scola Tristano will play at the prestigious Birdland in Manhattan for the third time on October 9, 2006. Scola Tristano is dedicated to the innovative style of the legendary pioneer of improvisational jazz, Lennie Tristano, who, in 1949, was the first musician to perform and record examples of free jazz with "Intuition" and "Digression." The trio, comprised of Father Stan Fortuna, Peter Prisco and Peter Scattaretico, has a long history playing together havingperformed in and around New York City for over two decades.

"We try to capture some of the looseness and feel of Lennie's music andcompositions, " says Prisco, guitarist of the trio. "If successful, wedemonstrate and hopefully pay homage to his influence."

Fortuna, on lead vocals and bass, studied at length with Tristano until his untimely death. Fortuna was playing trio sessions with Warne Marsh and Scattaretico at Tristano's request as they prepared for a private concert in Tristano's home on a Sunday afternoon. It was rumored that Tristano was going to sit in and establish a quartet. However, Tristano passed away on the Saturday evening before the scheduled concert. Lennie's passing made such an impact on Fortuna that it opened his heart to face his true calling.

"I loved Lennie and Lennie's music when he was alive, " says Fortuna. "And I love Lennie and his music now. He inspired me then and he inspires me now. And Scola Tristano is all about that inspiration and love of improvising."

Much like Tristano's oeuvre and playing, Fortuna's life is quite 'outside the box' and unique to the world of jazz. He has been a Roman Catholic priest and Franciscan Friar of the Renewal for over two decades gaining international media attention for his preaching and use of hip-hop music/culture in his ministry. Fortuna has independently released three rap CD's to date in addition to albums of other genres. All proceeds from his cd's go towards his non-profit company Francesco Productions' hands-on work with the poor in the South Bronx (www.francescoproductions.com).

Prisco has played and taught in the greater metropolitan New York City area for the last 35 years. Having studied with masters Dick Evans and Chuck Wayne, he also spent 12 years studying under the great Tristano disciple Sal Mosca. He has had long standing duos with bass legends Vinnie Burke and Bill Crow and has performed with such jazz greats as Warne Marsh, Don Joseph, Caeser DeMauro, Sal Nestico, Eddie Bert and for the last six years has been a member of the Carmen Leggio Band. He has also been featured many times at renowned New Jersey jazz clubs Gulliver's and Trumpets. Prisco is currently on the faculty at C.U.N.Y. College of Staten Island campus. (www.peterprisco.com)

Scattaretico has been playing drums professionally for 35 years, performing with such notable jazz artists as Warne Marsh, Eddie Gomez, Harvey S, Michael Moore, Red Mitchell, Sal Mosca, Connie Crothers, Gerri Mulligan, John Bunch, Earl Sauls, and Lennie Popkin. Scattaretico performed at The Kool Jazz Festival with Warne Marsh, Lennie Popkin and Michael Moore. Among the many well-known venues in which he has played are Lincoln Center, Carnegie Hall, Village Vanguard NYC, Fat Tuesdays NYC, Town Hall NYC, Lou Lou Whites in Boston, and The Ritz. Scattaretico's recording credits include Jazz Records' Lenny Tristano Memorial Concert Live At Town Hall; Lenny Popkin's Falling Free; and Prisco's It's About Time.

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