Julie Weiner and Doug Onstad of Brulée

CD release parties go on all the time, but this one is a bit different.

Musicians Doug Onstad of Santa Rosa and Julie Weiner of Sebastopol have been performing together as Brulée since 2007 at venues in Sonoma County and the North Bay.

Now they’re releasing “New Beginnings,” their first recording as Brulée, at a party from 7:30 to 9:30 p.m. Friday, March 18 , the Carston Cabaret, 50 Mark Springs Road, Wells Fargo Center, Santa Rosa.

The band will perform songs from the album live. Admission is free, with an optional $5 donation accepted. (You can also be a sport and chip in a donation for the refreshments.)

The CD includes a dozen songs, from classics to originals, in a style the band calls “jazz with a twist.”

The album features Weiner on vocals and Onstad on keyboards and vocals, with Tom Shader on bass, Gus Garelick on violin, Dennis Hadley on accordion, Chip Trombley on drums, Ian Scherer on guitar, David Scott on tenor sax, Jess Petty on flugelhorn, Dave Zirbel on pedal steel and Daniel Celidore on oboe.

Several of the songs were written by Onstad with his wife Phyllis, and lyrics for one song were composed by Santa Rosa Junior College French professor Todd Straus.

Information: http://www.bruleesonomacounty.com.