On the first Friday of the month guitarist Denis Jacobs can be found performing a wide variety of jazz standards at the Hudson Ale Works in Highland. Recently patrons were treated to a special musical evening as Jacobs was joined by singer/songwriter Carmen Pascucci, who not only handled the jazz and pop selections with ease, but also sang numerous well known Italian songs in her native tongue. Anyone with even a touch of Italian in their blood was moved by her unique renditions that brought back fond memories of the old world to the Hudson Valley.

The two met last October when Pascucci paid a visit to Jacob’s Music Center, long a fixture in the hamlet of Highland, seeking musicians to collaborate and perform with.

“So I said what about me,” Jacobs remembered telling her. “I have been doing jazz and Italian standards for a long time but I never worked with a real Italian singer. I’ve worked with singers who sing the phonetics but it’s not the same as somebody who is actually Italian.” He said when he performs with Pascucci they are billed as ‘Moonlit Skies.’

Of that first fateful meeting, Pascucci almost walked out of Jacob’s store but spotted his business card that said his repertoire included Italian standards.

“I look at him and say I’m Italian and that would be awesome to bring a piece of Italy here to the U.S. because it’s part of me, my country,” she said.

Pascucci said the reaction of the audience at the craft brewery was, “fantastic. People were dancing and listening with joy and clapping; it’s been really great.”

Pascucci came to America seven years ago after living in the United Kingdom. She hails from the small Italian town of Teggiano in Campania in the Provence of Salerno.

Jacobs is part Italian on his mother’s side.

“I remember playing these Italian songs for my grandfather,” he said. “I’m Italian but I’m not Italian like Carmen is Italian but my [musical] interpretations are on what I’ve heard and listened to.”

Jacobs said “a lot is going on” in the music when he accompanies Pascucci.

“I’m covering the rhythms, doing the bass lines and the chords, some counter melody and melody underneath her melody.” he explained.

Pascucci understands Jacobs jazz skills and mixes that with her love of soul, pop and Italian music.

“I wanted to recreate this with him so that’s why what we do is a little different. I consider myself a versatile singer...and try to do something that’s emotional. I try to deliver something really special no matter if its jazz, pop or soul. With him it’s wonderful singing songs I’ve never sung before or some that I’ve sung before but redo them in our way.” Jacobs added, “Her style and my style blend well and creates a fresh and unique sound.”

Jacobs said audiences have been very welcoming to them at their performances.

“Everything we do the people are very receptive. They like to hear the Italian even if they don’t understand it; that has always been my experience. People love it,” he said. At first Pascucci was uncertain what the reception would be from audiences. “Even I was a little bit skeptical about the Italian. I was thinking how is that possible that people would love it so much,” she said.

The two feel they work well together.

“It has it’s challenges but it’s very rewarding,” Jacobs said, with Pascucci adding, “Its definitely interesting and its a new adventure.”

Jacobs said he tries to take complex material “and make it lose and free and have some improvisational elements in there too.” Without missing a beat, Pascucci adds, “It’s also about staying true to the emotion of a song.”

Pascucci loves performing, “for all the people and I hope they enjoy their time with us because the Italian songs and the American Standards are so special and it is really something nice and unique. We want people to feel happy about it when they see and listen to us.” Jacobs said they love the songs they choose to perform, “and are very passionate about them.”

Mark Briscoe said he has heard Jacobs perform before at the Hudson Ale Works but this was the first time seeing him with a singer.

“I love dancing in little places; it’s hard to keep me down. We just have a blast,” he said.

Kathy Nigro said Briscoe suggested coming to the brewery.

“He said let’s go and just hang out. We’ll get a little bite to eat, have a beer, listen to some music and we’ll do a dance or two,” she said, laughing, “Of course when I’m with Mark it’s a dance with every song we hear because the music is wonderful.”

Vicky Jackson has often come to the brewery but it was the first time she’s heard Moonlit Skies. “I’m following them, wherever they go I’m going,”

Jackson said she loved the Italian songs even though she is not Italian.

“I’m about as waspy as they come but I want to live there though.” The book, “Without Reservations” started her thinking about going to Italy.

Moonlit Skies first performed together last November at the Farmers & Chefs Restaurant in Dutchess County. From there they have appeared at the Mill House Brewing Company in Poughkeepsie and at Cosimo’s Brick Oven in Middletown.