NY Jazz/Hip Hop Priest Fr. Stan Fortuna Plays Benefit Jazz Concert Dec. 14th @ Bridge Street Live in Collinsville

Contact: Kim Yu, Blue Moon Communications, 416-845-5870, BlueMoonPR@gmail.com

NEW YORK, Dec. 4, 2013 /Christian Newswire/ -- Francesco Productions is pleased to announce that Fr. Stan Fortuna CFR will return to Collinsville, CT to play a Benefit Jazz Concert at Bridge Street Live (41 Bridge Street) on Saturday, December 14th at 5PM. Accompanied by his Scola Tristano guitarist, Peter Prisco, he will be also joined by alto sax player Chris Aiello.

"I'm looking forward to coming back to Bridge Street Live especially during this holiday season," says Fr. Stan Fortuna, CFR. "I hope this Benefit Concert will help to brighten up Christmas for the families we are privileged to serve."

Scola Tristano is dedicated to the innovative style of the legendary, improvisational jazz pioneer Lennie Tristano. Fortuna and Prisco have a long history playing together having performed in and around New York City for over two decades. From time to time, they still play Birdland in Manhattan. Aiello performs with various artists and with his band Humans Playing Instruments.

Fortuna, on lead vocals and bass, studied at length with Tristano until his untimely death. Much like Tristano's oeuvre and playing, Fortuna's life is quite 'outside the box' and unique to the world of jazz. In the midst of a burgeoning career as a professional bass player -- touring/ playing the likes of Lincoln Centre - he gave it up to join the clergy. He has been a Roman Catholic priest and Franciscan Friar of the Renewal for over two decades gaining international media attention for his preaching and use of hip hop music/culture in his ministry. Continuing to live and effect positive social change in the South Bronx, Fortuna and the CFRs run a homeless shelter, a food bank, a drop-in center with after-school/ weekend programmes, and a free medical clinic for impoverished families in the area.

The Benefit Concert at Bridge Street Live, 41 Bridge Street, Collinsville, CT @ 5PM, Saturday, December 14th. For info/tickets ($15 / $25): www.41bridgestreet.com/calendar/index.php?id=383 or call (860) 693-9762.

Francesco Productions (www.francescoproductions.com), a non-profit company, was started by Fortuna in 1987. Proceeds from all CD/DVDs, merchandise sales, tours, talks and concerts go to help the needy in the U.S. and abroad.