Art, Jazz, Wine & Chocolate

Chocolate, wine, and all that jazz sweetens up the Festival of Arts this summer! On Thursday nights, indulge your senses at the “Art, Jazz, Wine and Chocolate” series. Wine and Chocolate Pairings: Sample a wide variety of wines expertly selected to compliment and enhance the nuanced flavor of gourmet chocolates, available from 5pm – 8pm. $30 for three pairings. À la carte options include $3 per chocolate, $14 per glass of wine, or $50 per bottle. Please note: pricing does not include Festival of Arts admission or reserved seating. Sponsored by: Performers: Bill Cantos The music and lyrics of Bill Cantos have been recorded by artists spanning the worlds of pop, jazz, theater, gospel, and world music: Ramsey Lewis, Lea Salonga, Patti Austin, Brenda Russell, Herb Alpert, Cheryl Bentyne, The Imperials, Flora Purim, Clay Crosse, Helen Baylor, Mark Winkler, and many others. He has written songs (with Alan and Marilyn Bergman and Mari Falcone) for the new musical Chasing Mem’ries, which recently premiered at the Geffen Playhouse in LA. Since 2008, Bill has collaborated live and in the recording studio with Herb Alpert & Lani Hall, contributing to six albums including the Grammy-winning Steppin’ Out. He also performed with Burt Bacharach as keyboardist and featured vocalist from 2011 until Burt’s final live show in 2019. He was a backing vocalist on three world tours with Phil Collins and has also toured with Diane Schuur, David Foster, Deniece Williams, Debby Boone, Freddie Hubbard, Vikki Carr, and Rita Coolidge. The artists with whom he has recorded include Elton John, Leon Russell, Josh Groban, Tony Bennett, Barry Manilow, Bob Dylan, Brian Bromberg, Jay Graydon, Andrae Crouch, Clint Black, and Kirk Whalum. Bill sang and co-wrote the main title song “All Right Day” for the film Home Run Showdown. He has sung on the soundtrack of over sixty films including Frozen 2, Sing & Sing 2, Star Wars: Rogue One, Wall-E, Rio & Rio 2, and contributed to the music for the Oscar-winning documentary 20 Feet from Stardom. He can be seen performing with Dick Van Dyke in the HBO film If You’re Not in the Obit, Eat Breakfast. Bill was a member of the cast (singer/pianist) of the world premiere production of the Cy Coleman/Alan & Marilyn Bergman musical Like Jazz at the Mark Taper Forum. He also has a deep love for Brazilian music and has worked extensively with some of Brazil’s best-known artists, including Dori Caymmi, Sergio Mendes, Flora Purim, Airto Moreira, and Gal Costa. In addition, he has produced albums for Lisa Ono, Steve Amerson, Tony Guerrero, Deniece Williams, and Lillias White. Connect with Bill Cantos Reserve a Seat! Limited “nightclub” seating available in reserved section for $45 per person per concert, with a $5 per person service charge applied to all orders. Includes admission to the Festival of Arts Fine Art Show. Reservations must be made prior to 9pm the night before the performance. RESERVE NOW