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Oct. 26, 7PM

Bell Jazz: Mel and Ella Swing!

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A Tribute to Ella Fitzgerald and
Mel Tormé from Two of the Best Artists

Award-winning jazz vocalist Gabrielle Stravelli and pianist/vocalist and Grammy-winning composer and recording artist Billy Stritch (Broadway’s 42nd Street; long-time accompanist for Liza Minelli) pay tribute to two of the greatest jazz vocalists of all time—Ella Fitzgerald and Mel Tormé—backed by a three-piece jazz band. Broadway World raved: “Gabrielle Stravelli and Billy Stritch blow minds with Mel & Ella Swing… [they] aren’t just two performers working in the music industry, they aren’t just two artists with an understanding of jazz - they are two of the best."

Starring

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Gabrielle Stravelli

Award-winning vocalist and songwriter Gabrielle Stravelli has garnered critical acclaim and a loyal following of fans thanks to a highly personal musical viewpoint. Equally at home in both intimate clubs and large concert halls, the singer combines a modern sensibility when interpreting lyrics with the rhythmic swing of straight ahead jazz and the pathos of classic soul. 

“Ms. Stravelli’s emotional intelligence coincides with a phenomenal voice that she wielded with an easygoing confidence and impeccable taste.”

 

The New York Times

Gabrielle has headlined domestic and international jazz festivals including the the 2021 & 2018 WBGO Jazz on the Mountain Festival in New Paltz, NY, the 2019 Providencia Jazz Festival in Santiago, Chile, the 2016 All That Jazz Festival in Eleuthera, Bahamas and the 2014 Maree Sonore Festival in Venice, Italy. 

In April 2019, Gabrielle released her fourth album, “Pick Up My Pieces: Gabrielle Stravelli Sings Willie Nelson”. The album was recently awarded the 2020 Bistro Award for outstanding recording. She celebrated the release with a sold out concert at New York’s Birdland Jazz Club and the album has received unanimous accolades from outlets including All About Jazz, The Midwest Record, Jersey Jazz and a featured write-up in The Wall Street Journal. Stravelli’s international reach has grown exponentially since her acceptance in 2015 into the “American Music Abroad” program. With AMA she has toured Southeast Asia, led her group on a ten-day tour of Pakistan, performed throughout Azerbaijan to celebrate 25 years of diplomatic relations with the US, and performed a month-long tour crisscrossing Malta, Slovenia, Azerbaijan and Moldova.

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Billy Stritch

Billy Stritch began his career in Houston, Texas, where he formed the vocal trio Montgomery, Plant and Stritch. The trio performed all over New York and Europe from 1983 until they disbanded in 1990. A chance meeting with Liza Minnelli in March of 1991 resulted in her asking him to create vocal arrangements for the record-breaking extravaganza Liza Stepping Out at Radio City Music Hall. In addition to his 25-year collaboration as accompanist and opening act for Liza, Billy recently toured with the legendary Tony Bennett as Tony’s pianist and musical director. A solo entertainer in his own right, he has performed his own shows (including tributes to Mel Tormé and Cy Coleman) in concert halls and nightclubs across the country. Billy also serves as music director for such leading vocalists as Marilyn Maye, Linda Lavin, Linda Eder, Christine Ebersole and Paulo Szot. He is the co-writer of the Grammy-winning song “Does He Love You” recorded by Reba McEntire and Linda Davis. The single reached the number one spot on the Billboard Country music chart, winning a Grammy Award and selling in excess of five million copies along the way. Billy has arranged music for many top performers and created the arrangements for “Minnelli On Minnelli” and “Liza’s At The Palace”, both at Broadway’s famed Palace Theater. He was also seen onstage playing the role of Oscar in the Tony Award winning Broadway revival of “42nd Street” in 2001. 

Credits

Vocalist

Gabrielle Stravelli

Pianist/Vocalist

Billy Stritch

Scheduled 2024 Performance Dates & Times

October 26 (7PM)

Bass

Pat O’Leary

Drums

Mark McLean

Ticket Prices

  • Premium: $55

  • Regular: $45

  • Groups of 10 or more: Regular $36 (no fees)

There is a $5 Facility Fee per ticket.
Credit card purchases have an additional $4.50 Convenience Fee. 

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