Ralph Lalama Quartet Feat Andrew Wilcox, Steve Bulmer & Tom Melito @LaZing!

Doors open at 6:00pm. Try to be seated by 6:30pm to have your dinner order taken. Showtime begins at 7:00pm when we transform the space into a theater.

Out of respect for the performers and other patrons, please keep talking to a whisper during the performance.

Very Limited Occupancy. Tables seating 2, 4, 5 guests, with tables for 6, 8, 12 available upon request. Single, general admission tickets are also available. See The Attached Seating Chart. Admission Is $15.00 - $25.00 Per Person, Ticket prices may be higher for special performances. Having problems with the ticketing system? Call 203-247-4273

Parking: Please park in LaZingara's lot or on Greenwood Ave. or School Street. Please avoid parking in P.T. Barnum Square.

Check out the band:

Ralph Lalama - Saxophone. Ralph grew up in West Aliquippa, Pennsylvania, graduated from The Dana School of Music of Youngstown State University (Ohio) and was recognized there for his remarkable talent by the legendary Thad Jones, who encouraged him to come to New York. Since that time, Lalama has reached a dignified status as a widely respected master of the tenor through his achievements in the big bands of Woody Herman, Buddy Rich, Carla Bley and the Thad Jones/Mel Lewis Orchestra - now the Vanguard Jazz Orchestra - with whom he is a featured soloist on Monday nights at New York's Village Vanguard. His experience includes appearances with Barry Harris, James Moody, Harold Danko, Mel Torme, Carmen McRae, Tom Harrell and Joe Morello. He has recorded with Joe Morello, the Mel Lewis Jazz Orchestra, the Vanguard Jazz Orchestra, and the Carnegie Hall Jazz Band, under the direction of Jon Faddis - now the John Faddis Jazz Orchestra. He appears on three Joe Lovano Nonet releases on Blue Note: the Grammy-winning, "52nd Street Themes," (2001), "On This Day...At the Vanguard," (2005), and "Streams of Expression" (2006). In 2005 he celebrated another Grammy-winning release with the Vanguard Jazz Orchestra's, "The Way - The Music of Slide Hampton." He is the producer of and performs on a CD of vocalist Nicole Pasternak, "In A Word," (2005, Garagista Music). He is featured on the 2008 Vanguard Jazz Orchestra's "Live at the Village Vanguard" (Planet Arts). His new release as a leader, Ralph Lalama Quartet "Energy Fields" on Mighty Quinn Music came out in October 2008 to a chorus of rave reviews. Jazz icon Dan Morgenstern dubbed it "...one of my best-of-the-year picks, on "Jazz from the Archives," WBGO.

The distinctive Tenorist has led five projects for the Dutch label, Criss-Cross Jazz. "Music for Grown-Ups," (1999) featured notables Richard Wyands at the piano, Peter Washington on bass and Kenny Washington on drums. "Lalama is out front booting things along with that cavernous sound of his and a swing and swagger that is infectious." (allaboutjazz). "Circle Line" (1997) garnered 4½ stars from DownBeat and secured him a spot in the magazine's "Top CDs of the Decade" (Dec. 99). "You Know What I Mean" (1995) received wide acclaim and "Momentum" (1992) with Kenny Barron placed him at No. 2 on NY's WBGO playlist, just behind tenor giant Joe Henderson.

Lalama's playing reveals an enormous depth of musical heart and knowledge. Combined with his muscular sound, executed in a freewheeling, no-holds-barred approach to music, one understands why he so thoroughly connects with musicians and listeners alike. When not busy touring, he dedicates his time to teaching as an adjunct professor at New York University and SUNY Purchase. He has instructed an international collective of students through Manhattan School of Music's Marca Jazz Camp in Venice, Italy and also taught clinics in Assisi, Italy. He also offers private instruction. One of his students, Jonathan Lee, received the 2003 and 2004 National DownBeat Award for Best High School Jazz Soloist. He is a founding member of New York's Westchester (County) Jazz Orchestra (WJO) through which, in addition to their accomplished concert series, he is active in their educational outreach program to jazz students in Westchester County's public schools. As a guest clinician, he has taught at Eastman School of Music, University of Memphis, University of Louisville, University of Tennessee, Knoxville and Temple University. In June 2009, he was featured in a cover story of the publication, Saxophone Journal.

Andrew Wilcox - Piano. Andrew is one of Hartford’s rising young musicians. Originally from Boylston, MA, Andrew has proven himself to be a talented young pianist, with a passion to learn, grow and play. After moving to Hartford at age 18, Andrew quickly sought out his elders and began building relationships with them. These relationships eventually turned into mentors and employers and Andrew has been seen alongside many of these musicians including Haneef Nelson, Nat Reeves, Yoron Israel, Avery Sharpe, Abraham Burton, Jonathan Barber, Alex Tremblay and Matt Dwonszyk.

A respectful student, Andrew was a student of Rick Germanson, Ralph Peterson, Orrin Evans, and the late great Stanley Cowell. Each introduced Andrew to other musicians, but Ralph Peterson introduced Andrew to Jazzmeia Horn, a musician who would time and time again give Andrew chances to prove himself. The most notable test was when Andrew was called as a last minute sub at the Newport Jazz Festival alongside Ms. Horn at the Newport Jazz Festival.

Andrew is a frequent performer in the Northeastern United States where he is a regular member of the Haneef Nelson Quintet and Ed Byrne Quartet, among other groups. In addition, Andrew fronts his own trio and sextet that perform his original compositions and arrangements.

Steven Bulmer - Bass. Steve is a multi-dimensional musician actively performing and recording on upright bass, electric bass and tuba. A native New Englander from Connecticut, Steve enjoys a very active career that spans many musical idioms including jazz, classical, musical theater and pop/rock. Initiated on piano at age 6, his music journey sent him acoustically lower and lower as he was drawn to the inspirational role the bass plays both rhythmically and harmonically in all type of musical idioms. Steve was formally trained at the Eastman School of Music where he received a bachelor’s degree in both Music Education and Music Performance. He subsequently headed west and he received a Master of Music degree from Northwestern University studying with the famous pedagogue and Chicago Symphony Orchestra tubist Arnold Jacobs. Steve performs extensively with regional and national musicians in many settings. He has performed on Broadway in productions of Chicago (the Musical) and Parade! at Lincoln Center doubling on upright bass and tuba. He is first call in the region when national touring shows hire area musicians, and has played in such productions as If/Then, Beautiful – The Carol King Story, Spamalot, Pippin, Mary Poppins, Evita!, The Addams Family, Billy Eliot, Victor/Victoria, and Young Frankenstein and has backed such talents as Mel Tormé, Ray Charles, The Three Irish Tenors, and Josh Groban. Steve is active as a jazz bassist performing throughout New England with many regional artists and ensembles including performances with Phil Woods, John Abercrombie, Ali Ryerson, Kendra Shank, Nick Brignola, Tom Malone, Lou Marini, Matt Parker, Anton Kot, Jeff Holmes, Earl MacDonald and vocalese artist Giacomo Gates.

Tom Melito - Drummer, Tom has been a mainstay on the jazz scene for many years. His drumming has been heard behind such varied artists as Bucky Pizzarelli, Frank Wess, Harry Allen, "Sweets" Edison, Lew Soloff, Herb Ellis, Warren Vache, John Bunch, and Bill Watrous. Tom's talents have been in demand internationally, including numerous tours of Japan, Europe, and South America. He has also performed at most of the world’s largest jazz events including; the JVC, Montreal, and the Berne Jazz Festivals. His numerous television appearances include the CBS Early Show, Entertainment Tonight, and CNN World Beat. Melito has also toured with many singers including the late Etta Jones and Kenny Rankin. He has been featured with Stacy Kent and continues to perform regularly in New York City jazz clubs. Active in jazz education he is an adjunct professor of music at Central Connecticut University. He also plays on Jerry Bergonzi’s CD play along method, and is recording a series of jazz educational CDs for “Windplayer” magazine.

We're sorry, there are no refunds after tickets have been purchased. In the event of a pandemic, rain, snow, or other forms of weather which prohibit a performance, the performance date will be postponed and rescheduled for another date within a reasonable amount of time. If the new date is postponed, a future alternate date will be picked at the discretion of Bethel Jazz and the musical artist. The ticket holder will be notified of postponements, cancelations, and rescheduled dates via email. Tickets are non-refundable and may be transferred to another person in the event a purchaser can not make the rescheduled date. In the event, an artist cancels a date, and Bethel Jazz is unable to reschedule the artist, Bethel Jazz reserves the right to provide a substitute performer of equal quality without notice to the ticket purchaser. If a date is canceled and not rescheduled, Bethel Jazz will provide a refund (in some cases minus the Eventbrite fee) or credit for another performance at the choice of the ticket holder. Bethel Jazz will always do its best to accommodate for changes in seating, table sizes, or changes to tickets.

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