Mezzaluna is getting into the live music scene tonight with a special jazz duet featuring Bruce Phares on bass and John Stowell on guitar. Mezzaluna co-owner Andre Helmstetter is friends with Bruce and offered up Mezzaluna as an informal performance venue when he heard that Bruce’s former duo parter was going to be in town.

Here’s what some authorities in the jazz world say about these two performers:

“Guitarist John Stowell’s style with standards is a delightful departure from the road well traveled. He transcends the label of jazz guitarist.” Los Angeles Times

“Bruce Phares’ bass playing is something of a revelation, in that it combines influences as diverse as Eddie Gomez, Gary Peacock and Charlie Haden. Creativity, intonation and swing–he’s got it all. We’re all excited that he’s hitting the scene again.” Doug Robinson, Producer/Festival Internacional de Jazz y Blues, San Miguel de Allende, 2008.

It starts tonight at 7:30pm, but I hear they may have a big crowd, so you might want to get there early and settle into a nice drink and dinner before the show.