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Smooth Jazz Singer LAURA PURSELL at Quaint Italian Eatery CIAO CRISTINA in Toluca Lake: A Perfect Fit
By Debra Graff

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)

LAO TIZER - VERSATILE JAZZ KEYBOARDIST/COMPOSER WILL PERFORM
AT "PLAYBOY JAZZ IN WARNER PARK" ON SUNDAY, JUNE 6
By Jonathan Widran

Hailed by top jazz critics as "an independent artist with all the right moves" and a "torchbearer for the new generation of contemporary jazz," keyboardist and composer Lao Tizer's tour schedule this summer is as joyfully all over the map as his genre transcending music that incorporates elements of R&B, funk, pop, jazz and world fusion.
His band TIZER kicks off the season performing at "Playboy Jazz In Warner Park," which returns for another year in Woodland Hills, Sunday June 6th from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. The free concert, sponsored by the Playboy Jazz Festival as part of their free community event series held in conjunction with the upcoming 32nd Annual Playboy Jazz Festival, set for Saturday and Sunday, June 12th and 13th, at the Hollywood Bowl, is also part of the Valley Cultural Center's "Concerts on the Green" series. The concert will be held at the Lou Bredlow Pavilion in Warner Center Park, located at 5800 Topanga Canyon Boulevard.
Also on the bill are four time Grammy nominated jazz/R&B vocalist Oleta Adams and trumpet great Sal Marquez and his trio. The Calabasas High School Jazz Band, under the direction of Joshua Barroll (one of 15 finalists in the Essentially Ellington High School Jazz Band competition in New York City at Jazz at Lincoln Center) will open the show.
After that, the keyboardist-whose live band frequently includes renowned jazz greats, violinist Karen Briggs and guitarist Chieli Minucci of Special EFX-plays everywhere from Jacksonville Beach, Florida and Hartford, Connecticut to Columbus, Ohio, Las Vegas and Annapolis. His upcoming dates include slots at the Red White and Bluezz Pasadena Jazz Festival, Spaghettini's in Seal Beach and the Lake Mission Viejo Jazz Festival. In October, Tizer heads to Aruba for the Caribbean Sea Jazz Fest.
"The Playboy Jazz in Warner Park show should be a lot of fun, and the band is looking forward to being part of the Playboy experience for the first time," says Tizer. "Our live show has really evolved and almost has a rock edge now. There is also a distinct Afro-Cuban element in the mix with the other influences thanks to drummer Raul Pineda and bassist Andre Manga. I also play more intimate compositions that represent what I call my classical jazz composer side. It's fun to mix it up and incorporate fresh flavors into every performance."
The versatile artist has graced stages alongside the superstars of R&B, jazz and pop (Boney James, Zappa Plays Zappa, Wayne Shorter, George Benson, The Commodores, The Rippingtons, Bruce Hornsby, Jethro Tull, Spyro Gyra and the late Isaac Hayes) and hit the smooth jazz charts with his 2006 album Diversify. Tizer stripped down and got back to piano basics on the expansive, melodic and hypnotically rhythmic tracks on his 2009 recording Passages. Mixing colorful jazzy textures, exotic percussion and soaring vocal textures with classical influences and new age ambience, Tizer achieves the most explosive, supercharged, rhythmic heights on tracks with Minucci and Briggs.
Lao began his career during his high school years in his hometown of Boulder, Colorado and self-produced and released his first three solo keyboard recordings by the age of seventeen. In 1997, Tizer relocated to Los Angeles to further pursue his musical passion. His talents quickly attracted Minucci's attention, which led to collaboration on a demo project and numerous gigs in L.A. Shortly thereafter, Tizer began playing with the basic lineup that still comprises Tizer: Manga, Pineda, guitarist Jeff Kollman and saxman Steve Nieves.
Golden Soul, Tizer's 2001 debut recording with his band included the popular radio single "Her Poetry" and led to a greater diversity of live performances throughout the country. The success of his project was instrumental in developing Tizer's growing fan base and the band's increasingly dynamic live show. It's an energizing musical experience you don't want to miss!
"Playboy Jazz In Warner Park," which has grown to attract thousands of fans annually since it began three years ago, will feature entertainment for the whole family, including a children's play zone a new art show, and a tasty array of food and beverages from 20 local eateries.

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