Sunday, February 7 at 7:15 PM
Dinner Before Brought to you by El Dorado Rum
It was one of those lucky things. I happened to be in Madrid, and a friend invited me to tag along to dinner at the estate of The Marqués de Griñón, Don Carlos Falcó Fernandez de Córdova. It was a heady day that started with churros and coffee in the Puerta del Sol, and went on to include one of the best rejoneo bullfights I've ever seen, dinner with the Marqués, and chitchat with various other Spanish nobility. King Felipe, the crowned prince back then, had been a guest just the week before in the very room where I sat. My Spanish is far from perfect, but I was called upon to serve as a translator. I remember talking to a woman who was a cousin of both the King and Don Carlos. I translated a question from one of my companions which was something like, "Have you known Don Carlos long?" I remember her sly smile at our American ignorance when she answered, "Our families have been friends for more than 500 years." So much for my career in the diplomatic corps.
But the highlight of the day was when Don Carlos introduced Jacqui Naylor, whom he had engaged to sing for us after dinner. She was a rising star in the West Coast jazz scene and had flown all the way from San Francisco to sing for us. The Marqués arranged for one of the finest Flamenco guitarists in Toledo to accompany her. It was immediately apparent to all assembled that we were in the presence of a great talent. She broke my heart about seven times that night, as she sang in the "barn" of the estate, while we smoked Cuban cigars and drank very old Spanish brandy from Don Carlos' cellar. I have been a fan ever since.
Jacqui has gone on to achieve success and great critical acclaim
"Naylor remains one of the most superbly arresting vocalists around. " JazzTimes
"She excels as a sensitive song interpreter with unerring intonation. " DownBeat
“Naylor has a sumptuous voice and a knack for scratchiness.” Village Voice
Jacqui returns to Catherine Lombardi following sold-out tours in Italy, Germany and the United States. Naylor’s albums have made the “top-ten” lists of USA Today, Jazziz and The Washington Post and she is recognized for her wide vocal range and ability to mix and “smash” multiple genres and generations of music. At her concert, Naylor will perform music from her current album and revisit requested favorites from earlier releases.
She is currently touring supporting her 10th album. Her recordings are available throughout the United States, Europe and Asia and she tours regularly in these regions at esteemed venues and festivals, including Ronnie Scott's London, all Blue Note clubs worldwide, Birdland New York, San Francisco Jazz Center Auditorium, Monterey Jazz Festival, Jazz at Aspen-Snowmass and more.
On Sunday February 7, Jacqui will sing for us all in the lush red dining room of Catherine Lombardi. Jacqui's vocal stylings in our lush red dining room will transport you back to another era of Jazz and cocktails. With the fireplaces roaring and the church through the windows as a backdrop and our extraordinary cocktails and menu, you will feel like you are in the swankiest of supper clubs of a bygone era. Jacqui and her trio will perform at 7:15 in the dining room. We will seat for dinner from 4 PM until 6:15 so that you can enjoy dinner before the show. We will serve cocktails through the performance, many featuring the excellent El Dorado Rum.
Tickets to see Jacqui are $39 with a 2-drink minimum (or equivalent).
With Dinner, tickets to the show are just $25!
To make a reservation and for tickets, please call 732-296-9463 or email [email protected].