Tomer Gewirtzman and Joseph Ness

John Mastrianni and Chris Bonito

More than 500 music lovers of all ages and musical tastes packed the house at Beth El Temple in West Hartford on Sunday evening, June 2, for “The Power of Music,” the final performance of the season in the synagogue’s popular music series. Conceived and coordinated by Elisa Wagner, who heads up BEMA (Beth El Music & Arts) Committee, and led by BEMA’s artistic director Cantor Joseph Ness, who also conducted the Beth El Symphony Orchestra, the eclectic musical program took the audience on a journey from classical – featuring a performance by the renowned Israeli pianist Tomer Gewirtzman; to Big Band – featuring vocalist Alan Piacenta singing Sinatra, as well as a tribute to Benny Goodman featuring Chris Bonito on drums and John Mastrianni on saxophone; and rock with a tribute to Queen and the Beatles by the band The New Remains.

CAP: The New Remains