The Brad Leali Jazz Quartet ft. Carla Helmbrecht

The Brad Leali Jazz Quartet teams up with Grammy-nominated vocalist Carla Helmbrecht for an evening of sophisticated swing at Keys Jazz Bistro. Brad Leali, a saxophonist whose soulful, blues- and swing-influenced style has earned praise from the New York Times as "among the most soulful and exciting" heard recently, brings his unique sound that echoes the influences of jazz greats like Cannonball Adderley.

Leali's impressive pedigree includes touring and recording with Harry Connick Jr.'s Orchestra, the Count Basie Orchestra, and currently performs as a featured soloist with Lyle Lovett & His Large Band. He's also served as a standing member of the Kennedy Center Honors Band and performed for President Obama's inaugural celebration, while holding the position of Professor of Jazz Saxophone at the University of North Texas.

Carla Helmbrecht's sophisticated vocal stylings provide the perfect complement to Leali's ensemble. JazzTimes praised her as "imaginative, poetic and sophisticated" — someone who's "hip without being frenetic, laid-back without sounding haphazard, and best of all, the lady swings without sweating." Her Grammy-nominated recordings ONE FOR MY BABY and BE COOL BE KIND showcase her ability to infuse both historical and modern components into jazz standards and original material.

The duo will be backed by a world-class rhythm section featuring piano/organ, drums, and bass. Together, they explore classic jazz standards and original compositions with unique arrangements that blend traditional and contemporary elements. Helmbrecht's warm, swinging sensibility — compared by critics to Mel Tormé — creates an intimate yet energetic atmosphere that perfectly matches Leali's sparkling, Adderley-influenced solos.

Expect an evening where the sensitive and sophisticated meets the soulful and blues-tinged, as this dynamic collaboration delivers both familiar standards and fresh interpretations in the cozy setting of Keys Jazz Bistro.