Popular Branford Jazz Festival Set to Kick Off Next Thursday

BRANFORD, CT - Known for its depth of infusion blending American pop, jazz and soul into their culture, Run N’ Fly will demonstrate its musical spirit as the opening act of the 2018 Branford Jazz Series on June 28th on the Branford Town Green.

Since moving to the United States from his native Brazil 20 years ago, guitarist Sandro Albert has joyously transcended all attempts to pigeonhole his musical enthusiasm, working as a sideman, artist and producer with everyone from War and Leon Ware to Robben Ford, the Yellowjackets and fellow countryman Milton Nascimento.

Embracing a newfound creative freedom to explore his lifelong passion for old school R & B/funk and contemporary urban jazz, the guitarist is the mastermind, composer, and producer of an extraordinary collective that finds him collaborating , Steely Dan style, with the brilliant Brazilian lyricist and artist Manu Lafer, legendary drummer Omar Hakim and a dynamic and versatile group of session veterans who take the groove and emotion soaring- including percussionist Bashiri Johnson, bassist Derrick Murdock and vocalists Darryl Tookes, Cindy Mizelle, and Angela Clemmons.

Sandro’s early influences start with Nascimento and Antonio Carlos Jobim, yet also include James Brown, Earth, Wind & Fire, Kool & The Gang, Wes Montgomery, and Miles Davis. His time in Los Angeles working with R & B greats Patti Austin, James Ingram, Brenda Russell and Dionne Warwick- and recent live jams with some R & B hall of famers in Harlem- helped pave the way for the extraordinary spirit of Run N’ Fly as well.

Early in 2017, Albert officially expanded into the classical realm with a project called “Encounters”. A quick look at the song titles of this 12-track project reveals an extraordinary theme that lets followers knows that this one’s for the ladies who over the past few decades have defined and driven pop culture and fascination with strong feminine role models.

As Sandro was creating the infectious, soulful and intensely grooving tracks that would evolve into Run N ‘ Fly, he knew that his longtime friend Manu was the perfect, multi-faceted artist and poet to turn to for compelling lyrics that would take the venture to deeper creative heights. Over the years, Manu has written more than 300 songs and recorded 17 cd’s with greats like Dori and Danilo Caymmi and Bucky and John Pizzarelli.

“It is an incredible honor to have the band have their first festival performance at Branford,” said Albert. “Our amazing vocalist, Angela Clemmons is a local to the area and has attended the festival many times, so to have her on stage this year is a really great feeling. We look forward to grooving and dancing with you all.”