Winter Performance Schedule Announced for Bemelmans Bar at Carlyle Hotel

The Carlyle, a Rosewood Hotel, is pleased to welcome Champian Fulton, The Brandon McCune Trio, The Chris Gillespie Trio, and Tony DeSare to Bemelmans Bar for Sunday night residencies throughout the winter 2016 season. Featuring top artists from the worlds of jazz, cabaret and Broadway alongside special unannounced guests, Sunday nights at Bemelmans Bar have become a favorite spot for a wide range of performing musicians across the city. Additionally, the classic watering hole has drawn crowds consisting of socialites, politicians, movie stars and moguls for?more than five decades. More information on acts performing this winter can be found below.

Champian Fulton has become a world-class jazz pianist and vocalist with international acclaim. A mainstay on the vibrant New York Jazz scene, she has released five albums and has performed with musical royalty such as Lou Donaldson, Frank Wess, Eric Alexander, Buster Williams and Louis Hayes. Nate Chinen of The New York Times recently called her "a charming young steward of the mainstream jazz tradition" while The New Yorker praised her "galvanizing presence." Her new album, After Dark, features the music of Dinah Washington and is due out in mid-February. Champian Fulton will perform on January 3, January 10, January 24, January 31, February 7 and February 21 at Bemelmans Bar at The Carlyle.

Revered pianist/singer Brandon McCune will be joined by bassist and musical director Chris Berger and bebop jazz guitarist extraordinaire Ron Affif. Over the course of his career, Brandon has worked with acclaimed artists including Abbey Lincoln, Terence Blanchard and Nneena Freelon. Chris Berger, a beloved Bemelmans staple, spent a year touring the world with legendary trumpeter Maynard Ferguson and has worked and/or recorded with jazz luminaries Herb Ellis, Linda Eder and Jeff "Tain" Watts. Guitarist Ron Affif has gained a reputation for his unique personal approach to jazz. Affif's style is reminiscent of icons Wes Montgomery and George Benson. Benson once described Affif as his "favorite type of guitar player, one that plays with fire." The Brandon McCune Trio will perform on February 28 and March 27 at Bemelmans Bar at The Carlyle.

Acclaimed pianist and vocalist Chris Gillespie has performed all over the world and has entertained the likes of Paul McCartney, Bette Midler, Billy Joel and President Bill Clinton amongst many others throughout his esteemed career. Drawing strong influence from Johann Sebastian Bach, Chris Gillespie effortlessly combines jazz and classical music as through they were intended to be played together. His latest recording, Portraits of Porter, is an all Cole Porter tribute with special guests including Bucky and Martin Pizzarelli. Chris Gillespie will perform on February 14 at Bemelmans Bar at The Carlyle.

Tony DeSare, originator of the Sunday Night Bemelmans series, was recently named a "Rising Star" male vocalist in Downtown magazine's Critics' Poll. DeSare has lived up to the distinction by winning critical and popular acclaim for his performances throughout North America and abroad. DeSare has three top ten Billboard Jazz albums under his belt and has been featured on the CBS Early Show, NPR and the Today Show. Notwithstanding his critically acclaimed turns as a singer/pianist, Tony DeSare is also an accomplished award-winning composer. Tony has written the theme song for the motion picture, My Date With Drew, along with several broadcast commercials. "He is two parts Sinatra to one part Billy Joel, meshed seamlessly.... A Sinatra acolyte in his early 30s who sings Prince as well as Johnny Mercer," raved Stephen Holden of The New York Times. Tony DeSare will perform on March 6, March 13 and March 20 at Bemelmans Bar at The Carlyle.

Bemelmans Bar is located in The Carlyle, A Rosewood Hotel (35 East 76th Street @ Madison Avenue). Bar seating is $15 per person and table seating is $25 per person. Reservations not accepted; tables available on a first-come, first-serve basis. For additional information, visit www.thecarlyle.com.