Benefit Concert feat. Fr. Stan Fortuna and his Scola Tristano Duo


Saturday December 14, 2013 @ 5:00 PM




Scola Tristano is dedicated to the innovative style of the legendary Lennie Tristano, a pioneer and master of improvisationaljazz. The trio, comprised of Fr. Stan Fortuna, Peter Prisco and Peter Scattaretico, has along 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.

Fortuna, on lead vocals and bass, studied at length with Tristano until his untimely death. Fortuna was playing trio sessions with Warne Marsh and Scattaretico at Tristano’s request as they prepared for a private concert in Tristano’s home on a Sunday afternoon. It was rumoured that Tristano was going to sit in and establish a quartet. However, Tristano passed away on the Saturday evening before the scheduled concert. Lennie’s passing made such an impact on Fortuna that it helped him recognize his true calling.

Much like Tristano’s oeuvre and playing, Fortuna’s life is quite ‘outside the box’ and unique to the world of jazz. He grew up in Yonkers, New York and in the midst of a burgeoning career as a sought-after professional bass player - touring and playing the likes of Lincoln Centre - he gave it all up to join the clergy. He ministered to the poor in Spanish Harlem before moving to the Bronx. 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.

Fortuna also continues to be involved with community development and positive social change in his neighbourhood of the South Bronx. As an original member of the Franciscan Friars of the Renewal, he and seven other friars participated in a faith-based plan to clean up the district in the late 1980’s. They have since opened a homeless shelter, a food bank, a community centre with numerous after-school and weekend programmes, and a free medical clinic for impoverished families in the area. They now number over a hundred Friars and have branched out to other parts of the world to help the materially poor.

Francesco Productions (www.francescoproductions.com), a non-profit company, was started by Fortuna in 1987 to produce and sell his music and preaching CDs and DVDs as well as other merchandise. Francesco Productions helps sustain neighbourhood families and has developed programmes for youth/community members to learn practical office skills to empower them to improve their circumstances. All proceeds from CD/DVDs, merchandise sales, tours, talks and concerts go to help the needy. He also started F.I.L.O. – Francesco International Love Outreach – to help the less fortunate abroad including missions in Uganda, Malawi and Poland.

Fortuna’s third book, “U Got 2 Love”, was published by OSV in 2010 and his latest CD “Renewal” was released last year to celebrate the Franciscan Friars of the Renewal and Francesco Productions’ 25th Anniversary.