The lower level of Ciao Amici’s restaurant in downtown Brighton will once again feature Kittens & Crooners, a multi-concert series presented by Foguth Financial Group focusing on the Great American Songbook — songs made famous by jazz vocalists like Frank Sinatra, Ella Fitzgerald and Nat ‘King’ Cole.
This is the third season of the series, presented by promoters Whitney McClellan-Stone and husband Cal Stone (aka 2 Stones Events).
“We started Kittens & Crooners in 2022 as a three-show series and did it again earlier this year,” said McClellan-Stone, “Now we’ve expanded it to five monthly shows.”
The lineup for the 2023-24 season includes Ryan DeHues, Nov. 18; Jill Jack & The American Songbook Band, Jan. 27; Dave Bennett, Feb. 17; Beth Stalker, March 23; and Ben Sharkey, April 20.
“Ben was the very first performer in this series in January 2022, and he knocked it out. By popular demand, we just had to bring him back,” said Stone. “And Jill Jack was scheduled to be the second show in 2022, but she got Covid and had to cancel. Now she’s back performing and bringing her American Songbook Band, which is a special treat for her fans.”
Doors for the early shows open at 5:30 p.m. with the two-set concert from 6-7:30 pm. Seating for the late shows begins at 8 p.m. with two-sets from 8:30-10. There will be a ‘cash-only’ bar and tickets are priced at $25 at www.2StonesEvents.com.
Attendees can enjoy dinner and drinks upstairs before or after the show, but reservations are highly recommended as these concerts tend to sell out and reservations book quickly.
“Besides the obvious talent that this series spotlights, attendees have really enjoyed the atmosphere that we create in the lower level of Ciao Amici’s,” said McClellan-Stone. “It’s a speakeasy vibe with seating limited to just 100 seats. There’s really nothing like this for live music in Livingston County. We see people commenting on Facebook that they want live jazz locally. Well, here it is!”
The uniqueness and success of Kittens & Crooners has led to Foguth Financial Group once again being the presenting sponsor of the series. The firm recently opened up its new headquarters just a block west of Ciao Amici’s at 325 W. Main.
“We have some incredible partners in Brighton — like Foguth, Lake Trust Credit Union, and Cooper & Binkley Jewelers — who understand what we do, how we do it, and why we do it,” said Stone. “Live music like this is incredibly important and vital in a community like this, but it’s nearly impossible to pull off without partners who get it.”
2 Stones Events most recently was tapped by the City of Brighton’s Downtown Development Authority to handle the live music portion of two events – Street Warming (Aug. 25) and Full Hunters Moon Party (Oct. 28) – that celebrated openings of two phases of the Streetscape Project.
“We’re hoping the city wants to leverage the success of those two events and make live music on the street and at The AMP a regular part of Main Street next summer,” said Stone, whose company has been booking live music in Brighton for two decades, including Smokin’ Jazz & Barbecue Blues Festival, Yellowstone Country Music Festival, Taste or Brighton, WAM Fest, Turn Up The AMP! and at numerous local venues.
ABOUT THE SINGERS
Ryan DeHues: “Ryan has come a long way from NYC, Branson and L.A. appearances.” said late, acclaimed jazz critic, producer and educator Dr. Herb Wong, “Ryan DeHues’ voice is one of a kind—a voice you cannot and will not ignore, and one you will want to hear again and again!” Ryan DeHues is one of today’s new breed of great singers who give the old music new style with a modern flair and dynamic delivery. DeHues puts modal groove versions of Sublime into his act, right next to a Sinatra standard followed by a gem resurrected from the back pages of Susanne Vega. Ryan is the epitome of suave yet exciting new artists that are giving new meaning to The Great American Songbook and classic songs of yesterday.
Jill Jack & The American Songbook Band: Jill Jack’s magical connection to her audience is the result of her generous artistry. In her hometown of Detroit, Jill needs no further explanation. She’s been lauded with 40+ Detroit Music Awards in every conceivable category that applies to a singer-songwriter. Touring the world to share the music she has written (10 award-winning CDs under her belt) Jill Jack has decided to venture where her heart has been calling: the jazz world. With the help of her very talented bandmates, Jill will be swimming in a pool of music that her parents introduced her to at a young age – The American Songbook.
Dave Bennett: Equally conversant with the music of Benny Goodman (the “King of Swing”) and Roy Orbison (“The Soul of Rock and Roll”), Bennett fuses serious jazz improvisation with a host of modern pop influences. Dave has been a featured soloist at Carnegie Hall with The New York Pops (2013) and has been featured with 35 orchestras.
Beth Stalker: Beth won six Detroit Music Awards for her original album, “Here With You.” And a year later, she recorded her first jazz album, “Hallelujah I Love Him So.” Stalker knows how to make every classic song her own. Her unique and soulful voice conveys emotion and style like no other, proving a joyous experience to all who listen.
Ben Sharkey: He’s been compared to everyone from Sinatra and Buble to Dean Martin, Mel Torme and Harry Connick, Jr. – yet he’s evolved from being a stellar vocal interpreter to master storyteller and songwriter. Collaborating with his pianist Chris Codish, Ben has written clever, crafty tunes expressing every aspect of love, deep heartfelt connections and the sheer joy of living life to the fullest in the sexiest, naughtiest, most sensual and playful way possible. Stylistically, he lets his muse lead the way to booming percussion driven landscapes infused with jazz, pop, swing, R&B, Latin and crisp, edgy house-dance beats that make him the ultimate contemporary hipster as well as a masterful throwback artist.
KITTENS & CROONERS
WHAT: 2 Stones Events live music series presented by Foguth Financial Group
WHERE: Ciao Amici’s restaurant lower level; 217 W. Main, downtown Brighton
WHO: Ryan DeHyues, Nov. 18; Jill Jack & The American Songbook Band, Jan. 27; Dave Bennett, Feb. 17; Beth Stalker, March 23; and Ben Sharkey, April 20
TIME: Two-set shows at 6 p.m. and 8:30 p.m. (doors open 30 minutes prior)
TICKETS: $25; limited to 100 per show; http://www.2StonesEvents.com (When ordering tickets be sure you receive them via email and add the Eventbrite email to your contacts.)
NOTE: Call Ciao Amici’s (810-227-9000) ONLY to make dinner reservations. If you need further information on the shows, contact 2 Stones Events at (586) 484-8797 or info@2StonesEvents.com.
