The Sun Valley Inn's Lobby Lounge is one of the valley's best-kept secrets, and is improved with the piano stylings of Brooks Hartell, a young and accomplished jazz pianist from New York.
Hartell plays at the lounge Mondays through Saturdays, 5-8 p.m. until Saturday, Jan. 31, except for New Year's Eve.
A native of San Francisco, Hartell graduated from Mannes College of Music in New York, where he studied with distinguished jazz musicians Jaki Byard, Chico Hamilton, Arnie Lawrence and Buster Williams. He plays a jazzy brand of tunes with soul and style.
This year Hartell released "Face The Sun," a CD of original music now available on iTunes, CD Baby and on his site, brookshartell.com. Playing with Hartell on the CD are bassist Corcoran Holt and drummer Ryan Moran, who performs with the acclaimed band Slightly Stoopid. The CD also features special guests Evan Schwam on tenor saxophone/flute and Jeremy Carstedt on drums. Both are members of Chico Hamilton's group, Euphoria.
Among his regular playing gigs in New York City are the Garage Restaurant and Bar, Rue-B lounge and other hotspots including Cafe Carlyle, 21 Club, Smalls, Louis 649, Blue Water Grill and the Knitting Factory.
As well, the Brooks Hartell Trio has performed at the Fillmore Jazz Festival in San Francisco and opened for Branford Marsalis at the Labor Day Weekend Jazz Festival on Mackinac Island, Mich.
"Lately I've been doing a show that features my group at the Duane Park Restaurant and Bar that's been great," he said. "I've been coming here with my family for many years. They have a home in Elkhorn. As a kid I used to stand by the door at the Duchin Lounge and watch Joe (Fos). As soon as I was 21, I went in and Joe let me play with the band."
Hartell plays his own original music along with jazz standards and blues with an improvisational solo-piano style.
"It's a full spectrum of jazz piano from infancy all the way to the present," he said. "I grab from all eras."
For more information call 622-2266. No reservations are necessary.
Courtesy photo
Brooks Hartell
