Sept. 13, 2013

Get out and hear some classic jazz, rhythm and blues, a touch of Brazilian and 14 original songs by the Ted Brancato and Friends Quintet at 2 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 15 at Trinity Lutheran Church in Freeland.

This concert celebrates the release of Brancato’s new CD by Origin Records, “The Next Step.” The Quintet features Brancato on the piano, Matt Langley on sax, Chuck Deardorf on bass, Ben Smith on drums and Tom Bergeson on percussion.

Ted Brancato is a pianist who will play Whidbey Island Sunday with his quintet at Trinity Lutheran Church in Freeland. (All photos by Chris Drukker)

A native of Seattle, Brancato returns to the Pacific Northwest after 30 years in the New York City area performing and recording with the likes of Houston Person, Ron Carter, Christian McBride and Paquito D’Rivera, among others.

The pianist calls himself an unabashed fan of melody, and it is clearly evident in his compositions. Many of the melodies on his new CD have caught the ear of lyricists and have been recorded by a number of singers, including Nancy Wilson, Jeanie Bryson, and Les McCann.

In stylish Whidbey Island form, the concert will be opened by a young, local quartet featuring Jack Hood on piano, Kaj Lund Olsen on guitar, Joe Ballestrasse on bass and Jason Li on drums.

Admission is by donation at the door, with one-third of the proceeds going to the Gifts from the Heart Food Bank in Coupeville.

Click here for Ted Brancato’s website and music samples.

Here’s the church’s website for extra info.