College of Arts & Sciences Frank J. Natale Concert Series
The Frank J. Natale Concert Series seeks to bring diverse cultural and educational perspectives to Quinnipiac University through the musical arts. This annual concert series features performances of different genres of music ranging from classical and jazz to world music and more – synthesizing musical, historical and cultural learning.
Upcoming Concerts
Raina Sokolov-Gonzalez, R&B and Jazz Singer
November 20 at 7:30 p.m. in the Theatre Arts Center
Raina Sokolov-Gonzalez, up and coming singer and composer from New York, will be presenting her program of original music and original arrangements of classic songs.
Combining familiar sonic palettes with lyrical precision, this program is intimate and inspiring. From the history of last names to following a dream, Raina sews a tapestry of both personal and collective stories, and how we find each other in between.
Nestled within the original work, this program also includes arrangements of classic songs. From Jazz standards to Joni Mitchell, Raina’s unique voice bridges genre and style to create a cohesive and engaging night of music.
An artist in residence at Millay Center for the Arts (2023), Ancram Center for the Arts (2024), and member of the Joe’s Pub Working Group (‘24-’25), Raina is dedicated to authentic work that staddles many traditions and sparks conversation and connection within the performance space and within each listener.
Adaskin String Trio, Classical String Trio
March 3, 2025 at 7:30 p.m. in the Theatre Arts Center
Since 1994 the Adaskin String Trio has won over audiences with exuberant playing and programming that blends classical masterpieces with unexpected treasures. Critics agree - their playing has been hailed for “vigor, precision and stylistic certitude” (Charleston Gazette) as well as “spontaneity, intensity and charm” (Peninsula Review). The trio has toured throughout the USA and Canada performing at venues such as the The Frick Collection in New York, the Corcoran Gallery of Art in Washington, DC and the Flagler Museum in Palm Beach, and in Boston, Los Angeles, Toronto, Montreal, and Chicago.
The program will include Johannes Brahms' Piano Quartet in C Minor and the trio has invited Quinnipiac faculty member, pianist Lauren Reed, to join them to perform this exhilarating masterpiece.
Butter Chicken, Southeast Asian baraat tradition fused with jazz and funk
March 27, 2025 at 7:30 p.m. in Buckman Theater
Butter Chicken, a six-piece acoustic ensemble that fuses the baraat tradition of Southeast Asia with modern jazz, funk and improvised music influences. Founded in Chicago, the ensemble is co-led by dholi Kabir Dalawari, tubist Akshat Jain and trombonist Catie Hickey. Most recent season highlights include performances for the South Asia Institute, DePaul and Loyola Universities and annual Holi celebrations for the city of Chicago.
Butter Chicken is a collaborative effort by musicians across several disciplines to explore the intersection of South Asian music, a baraat band and a New Orleans-style brass band. We explore South Asian cultural practices in music to study how to blend the sounds of traditional South Asian music with musical genres that are more modern and American. We play with a wide range of emotions, from introspective and meditative to upbeat dance music. The group features a rotating cast of musicians from the Chicago area including Kyle Brooks (saxophones), Karli Bunn (saxophones), Constantine Alexander (trumpet), Millie Ahern (trumpet) and Gustavo Cortiñas Fouilloux (drums).
In our first full season, we enjoyed performing at the Global Peace Picnic and South Asia Institute. In 2022, the band was awarded a 2022 IAP Grant from the Department of Cultural Affairs and Special Events (DCASE), which enabled us to collaborate with Rahul Sharma and Maninder Singh from Funkadesi.
Past Concerts
The New Consort, one of America’s most exciting new vocal chamber ensembles, presented their program, RETURN/REVIVE – a meditation on grief, hope and community in these mercurial times.
Award-winning and internationally acclaimed classical guitarist Christopher Ladd presented his concert program, Guitar Legends, which explored the rich musical contributions of guitarists and composers over the centuries.
Nicknamed "the Gypsy-jazz Warbler" by the New York Times and acclaimed as a "millennial shaking up the jazz scene" by magazine Vanity Fair, Tatiana Eva-Marie explored the music of composer Django Reinhardt through her own original arrangements and lyrics in her latest project "Djangology" – a tribute inspired by her French and Romanian Gypsy heritage and her love for the Parisian art scene of the 1920s to the 1960s. She was joined by the Avalon Jazz Band.
The Polish Violin Duo is made up of two violinists: Marta Gidaszewska and Robert Aguniak. Marta and Robert have been taking part in international violin and chamber music competitions around the world for years, always winning top prizes.
Internationally acclaimed drummer and composer Gustavo Cortiñas and his powerhouse jazz ensemble performed the music of his revolutionary third album, "Desafío Candente", inspired by Eduardo Galeano's "The Open Veins of Latin America". "Desafío Candente" took the listener on a journey through Latin America and its history of colonialism, imperialism, and neoliberalism.
Chanson d'Amour: Acclaimed soprano Yayoi Ikuno, cellist Kayla Hermann and pianist Lauren Reed played an evening of Romantic art songs and opera arias.
About Frank J. Natale
This concert series honors the memory of Frank J. Natale, a talented violinist and dedicated music educator in the Wallingford, CT public schools.
A graduate of Hartt School of Music, he performed in both the Springfield and Hartford symphony orchestras.
He was the husband of the late Mary Simuline Natale '34, a graduate of Larson College; and his daughter and son-in-law both graduated from Quinnipiac University in 1979.
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