Here are a few photos from the past few weeks.
Monday, November 1, 2010
Wednesday nights at The Luxe Hotel
When one door closes, another one opens. I am now at the Luxe Hotel in Bel Air every Wednesday night from 7 pm - 10 pm with the great Del Casher. (For those of you who don't know, he's the guy who invented the Wah Wah pedal. He is also an amazing guitarist.) We're joined by the wonderful Paul Morin on bass, and man, do we have fun. Lots of laughs, plenty of requests, and since Del never plays anything the same way twice, I have to be on my toes! This Wednesday will be our 4th outing. Come join us! The Luxe Hotel is on Sunset Blvd, just west of the 405 freeway. $3 parking with validation, no cover, and no minimum.
Here are a few photos from the past few weeks.
Jim Henke, curator of the Cleveland Rock & Roll Hall of Fame, with Del Casher
JL-R: Jim Henke, Laura Pursell, Del Casher, Paul Morin
Engelbert Humperdinck (accepting an award at the hotel that evening) and Del Casher
Laura Pursell and Del Casher
Bassist Adam Cohen (on a break during the Engelbert Humperdinck event) with Laura
Here are a few photos from the past few weeks.
Monday, September 27, 2010
Friday, September 17, 2010
Monday, August 16, 2010
"Sweet and Hot Jazz Festival" - Sept 5, 2010
This 15th Annual jazz bash will take place in the luxe Los Angeles Airport Marriott Hotel over the Labor Day Weekend, September 3, 4, 5 and 6th 2010.
My sets with Del will be on Sunday, Sept. 5 at 10:30 a.m. and at 3:30 pm.
From the website:
"It's going to be an awesome gathering of familiar faces and brand new acts especially selected for your listening and dancing pleasure.
Nothing can beat the incredible music performed by the best of the best in an incredible world-class jazz party in combination with some of the most outstanding talents assembled in one place in a festive jazz festival atmosphere.
Music that is uniquely American drawn from the Swing, Blues, Jazz, and Big Band sounds of the 1920s, 1930s, 1940s and 1950s. America’s Golden Age of Popular Music our treasured musical heritage."
Wednesday, June 9, 2010
New Article in Valley Scene Magazine
Smooth Jazz Singer LAURA PURSELL at Quaint Italian Eatery CIAO CRISTINA in Toluca Lake: A Perfect Fit
Article in Valley Scene Magazine
A secret hideaway, tucked between Burbank and Toluca Lake, is CIAO CRISTINA, a unique family run Italian eatery featuring live jazz by fabulous vocalist, Laura Pursell, accompanied by gifted guitarist/composer/teacher, Ron Anthony every Wednesday, Friday, and Saturday from 8-11pm. With Laura's delightful renditions of jazz standards and Ron's stunning solos, your heart and soul will be uplifted, leaving you feeling lighter and brighter. Laura sings with such depth, the meaning of the words come to life during her cool, smooth delivery. Effortlessly complemented by Ron's brilliant chord and line work, is Laura's terrific technique, beautiful phrasing, and soothing style.
Laura enjoys the relaxed vibe, the people, the intimate setting at Ciao Cristina. "The staff is tremendous and the food is incredible. It feels like you're home." People communicate with her all night long. One customer even brought a jazz book for her to sing from.
Ron loves the challenge of playing three nights a week with Laura because he gets to be the keyboards, bass, and drums. "Laura has great intonation, timing, and ears. She sings in tune so well that I can change keys and she intuitively follows."
Co-owners and husband/wife, Alan and Cristina, are honored to have performers with Laura's talent and Ron's stature, who attract steady customers. Many well regarded jazz artists drop in and play a song or two. They told me, "We hope to increase our jazz program. Opening a business in this time has been challenging but as our music base increases we'll be staying open later."
Ciao Cristina is the total package - from pure jazz music to authentic Italian food cooked by Cristina (raised and trained as an executive chef in Venice, Italy); to organic and natural products, homemade pasta and soups, Napoletana thin crust pizza with dough made fresh daily, handmade Italian Gelato; to an amazing bar offering 20 kinds of beer on tap from around the world, including Peroni's and Italian Pilsner; to a fabulous staff of bartenders and servers; and to Alan's endearing warmth and friendliness welcoming you to the comfy, cozy ambience that irresistibly exudes romance. It's a place where lovers come back again and again to renew their passion.
Neighborhood regulars, Curtis and Linda Stimpson, appreciate the amazing owners who deliver "the best food in the world." The lasagna is "as good as it gets, and the wonderfully romantic music is for grownups." Molly and Stan Hyman raved about the European style kitchen run by Cristina. "She's more than an incredible cook, she's a true chef." She gets to know her customers and makes sure their special requests are accommodated. Molly said, "I feel at home here. I'm so grateful they're here. I've spent enough time in Europe to know there's nothing there that's any better.
Server, Donna, works five nights a week and says "We're like a family. Everyone who works here really cares. They have big hearts. It's my home away from home."
Ciao Cristina is a dream come true for Alan and Cristina. They designed it so locals could gather for traditional Northern Italian cooking, at a fair price. As members of the Green Restaurant Association, they're dedicated to preserving the environment by adhering to strict guidelines (visit www.dinegreen.com). They use organic, natural products and produce their own Natura Mineral Water, eliminating the need for transportation and waste by reusing bottles. Scrumptious favorites include the Venetian Pastisso [lasagna], from a family recipe, which has been passed on from many generations, the Alaskan salmon with fennel, and their all natural chicken dishes. Alan told me, "Nothing can surpass the joy of getting compliments from customers time after time."
Ciao Cristina
4201 West Olive Ave.
Toluca Lake
818-563-CIAO (2426)
A secret hideaway, tucked between Burbank and Toluca Lake, is CIAO CRISTINA, a unique family run Italian eatery featuring live jazz by fabulous vocalist, Laura Pursell, accompanied by gifted guitarist/composer/teacher, Ron Anthony every Wednesday, Friday, and Saturday from 8-11pm. With Laura's delightful renditions of jazz standards and Ron's stunning solos, your heart and soul will be uplifted, leaving you feeling lighter and brighter. Laura sings with such depth, the meaning of the words come to life during her cool, smooth delivery. Effortlessly complemented by Ron's brilliant chord and line work, is Laura's terrific technique, beautiful phrasing, and soothing style.
Laura enjoys the relaxed vibe, the people, the intimate setting at Ciao Cristina. "The staff is tremendous and the food is incredible. It feels like you're home." People communicate with her all night long. One customer even brought a jazz book for her to sing from.
Ron loves the challenge of playing three nights a week with Laura because he gets to be the keyboards, bass, and drums. "Laura has great intonation, timing, and ears. She sings in tune so well that I can change keys and she intuitively follows."
Co-owners and husband/wife, Alan and Cristina, are honored to have performers with Laura's talent and Ron's stature, who attract steady customers. Many well regarded jazz artists drop in and play a song or two. They told me, "We hope to increase our jazz program. Opening a business in this time has been challenging but as our music base increases we'll be staying open later."
Ciao Cristina is the total package - from pure jazz music to authentic Italian food cooked by Cristina (raised and trained as an executive chef in Venice, Italy); to organic and natural products, homemade pasta and soups, Napoletana thin crust pizza with dough made fresh daily, handmade Italian Gelato; to an amazing bar offering 20 kinds of beer on tap from around the world, including Peroni's and Italian Pilsner; to a fabulous staff of bartenders and servers; and to Alan's endearing warmth and friendliness welcoming you to the comfy, cozy ambience that irresistibly exudes romance. It's a place where lovers come back again and again to renew their passion.
Neighborhood regulars, Curtis and Linda Stimpson, appreciate the amazing owners who deliver "the best food in the world." The lasagna is "as good as it gets, and the wonderfully romantic music is for grownups." Molly and Stan Hyman raved about the European style kitchen run by Cristina. "She's more than an incredible cook, she's a true chef." She gets to know her customers and makes sure their special requests are accommodated. Molly said, "I feel at home here. I'm so grateful they're here. I've spent enough time in Europe to know there's nothing there that's any better.
Server, Donna, works five nights a week and says "We're like a family. Everyone who works here really cares. They have big hearts. It's my home away from home."
Ciao Cristina is a dream come true for Alan and Cristina. They designed it so locals could gather for traditional Northern Italian cooking, at a fair price. As members of the Green Restaurant Association, they're dedicated to preserving the environment by adhering to strict guidelines (visit www.dinegreen.com). They use organic, natural products and produce their own Natura Mineral Water, eliminating the need for transportation and waste by reusing bottles. Scrumptious favorites include the Venetian Pastisso [lasagna], from a family recipe, which has been passed on from many generations, the Alaskan salmon with fennel, and their all natural chicken dishes. Alan told me, "Nothing can surpass the joy of getting compliments from customers time after time."
Ciao Cristina
4201 West Olive Ave.
Toluca Lake
818-563-CIAO (2426)
Thursday, April 29, 2010
Still singing and swinging at CiaoCristina
Wow....I've already been singing at CiaoCristina in Burbank for 4 months! People are coming in for the great food and live jazz, and every night has been a success. We've had some amazing musicians sit it and/or sub, we're talking Barry Zweig... Dori Amarilio...Julie Kelly..and more. Along the way, I keep adding to my arsenal of tunes, and my next goal is to talk Ron into doing some my originals from "Somewhere in this Room". Here are some images from the past few weeks...
Monday, April 5, 2010
Judy Garland singing "Too Late Now"
On Saturday night at CiaoCristina, a friend requested this song. I didn't know it, so Ron did a beautiful instrumental. I promised my friend I'd learn it, and in doing a litte research on the tune, look what I found. I think this is just gorgeous and thought I should share it. Here's Judy Garland singing "Too Late Now", by Burton Lane and Alan Jay Lerner.
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