‘Brother Band,’ Project Natale Plays Original Jazz in Downtown Wheaton This Friday

Drummer Lou Natale describes Project Natale’s sound as a blend of various Jazz styles.

“Ordinarily you hear some straight-ahead or Brazilian," Natale said, listing their various influence ands styles, "With Project Natale, you hear several different styles and artists within one composition—bebop, gospel, [John] Coltrane, Les McCann, Chick Corea.”

Natale formed the band in 1998, with his brother Joe Natale, who serves as the composer and music director. They are joined by Carl Cornwell on tenor saxophone and Bob Butta on piano. Lyle Link will fill in on tenor sax for this Friday’s performance.

The brothers started playing music together during their childhood.

“Our father was a part-time musician. We started jamming as kids—Joe played harmonica and I banged away on a shoebox.” Lou said.

The brothers studied music formally in south Florida before moving to the Washington, DC area in 1997.

The band plans to play cuts from their latest of five CDs, Endangered Liberties, at this Friday’s concert. Lou described his brother’s compositions as being influenced by artists such as Dizzy Gillespsie, Sonny Rollins, and Weather Report, as well as by his study of Beethoven and Mozart.

Lou says of Project Natale, “we’re considered a Brother Band. Everybody is very respectful to one another and wants to make the music the best that they can.”

See Project Natale at 7 p.m. in Wheaton Triangle. See the full summer concert schedule .