Galvanized Jazz Band At Elim Park  Cheshire, CT   February 9, 2016

7 pc Trad Jazz Band, no banjo, 2 cornets

Galvanized Jazz Band with Skip Hughes singing

by Jean Hadley
photos by Angie

Fred Vigorito cornet, Bill Sinclair piano, Bob Bequillard drums , Art Hovey tuba/bass, Russ Whitman reeds, Skip Hughes trombone/vocals, Jim Fryer trombone and Mark Vigorito cornet.

The Galvanized Jazz Band once again entertained the residents of Elim Park, an Assisted Living facility nestled on a beautiful piece of New England property between Hamden and Wallingford Connecticut.  Nelson Hall is Elim Park’s beautifully architecturally and acoustically designed performing arts center which can hold an audience of 300.

As people entered Nelson Hall, they were greeted by a large and friendly staff of resident volunteers.  For many years,  Elim Park volunteers have been doing a wonderful job.   Thank you!

11 ladies and gents in red vests

Elim Park Volunteers

Once the crowd settled down and the lights were lowered, the band, which had assembled at the rear of the hall, started their parade down the aisle to the stage.  Following in the Second Line were the “Parasol Ladies” led by Jean Hadley…strutting to Bourbon Street Parade.  With beads flying, parasols swinging, this put the audience in the mood for a Mardi Gras celebration.

The audience was pleased to be joined by three very talented guests; Jim Fryer, Skip Hughes and Fred Vigorito’s son Mark (cornet like his dad) and all the way from New Hampshire.

Band with trombone and extra cornet


Galvanized Jazz Band with Mark Vigorito cornet, Jim Fryer trombone, and Skip Hughes vocalist

Songs like BASIN STREET, TIN ROOF BLUES (remember when Kay Starr made it a hit in 1953?) Added to the list was WHEN I LEAVE THIS WORLD BEHIND and, an audience participation number led by Jim Fryer…WHY DON’T YOU GO DOWN TO NEW ORLEANS?  Skip Hughes beautifully delivered two spiritual numbers….JUST A CLOSER WALK and AMAZING GRACE.  And, of course, many more familiar numbers.

Jim on muted trombone

Jim Fryer

Skip sitting and singing, string bass behind him

Skip Hughes

Bill Sinclair on piano

Bill Sinclair on piano

Father and son on cornet

Fred and Mark Vigorito

Although the audience wanted the music to continue, it was the bewitching hour, time to bring a delightful evening to a close with the “Saints” and a parasol parade.

Thanks to Fred, Bill, Bob, Art, Russ, Skip, Jim and Mark for an evening of fabulous Traditional Jazz.  They entertained and inspired the residents and friends of Elim Park!

By Jean Hadley
Photos by Angie

Heartbeat Jazz Band at Smarty’s, by Sue Finn

only visible are Shari piano, Skip trombone, Freddy cornet, Noel clarinet

Heartbeat Jazz Band at Smarty’s Restaurant and Pub, 215 Main St. Niantic CT (860) 739-8818

Heartbeat’s Christmas Show at Smarty’s, Thursday December 19, 2014

Here are a few pictures and the playlist for Heartbeat’s Christmas show at Smarty’s.   www.smartysniantic.com.  It was a mixture of seasonal favorites and traditional jazz standards along with a few other surprises.

Bill Logozzo – drums, leader                            Fred Vigorito – cornet
Skip Hughes – trombone, vocals                      Noel Kaletsky – reeds
Bob Card – saxophone                                      Art Hovey – tuba, bass
Steve Keillor – banjo, guitar                            Shari Lucas-keyboard
Andrew Walker – guest vocalist

Playlist:
Maryland My Maryland (Oh Tannenbaum)                   ~~~Break~~~
Lulu’s Back in Town                                                        Mack the Knife
Oh Baby!                                                                          Apex Blues
China Boy                                                                  You are always on my mind
I’ll be Home for Christmas                                        How come you do me like you do?
Let it Snow                                                  (with Walk Right In & Alice’s Restaurant)
Shine                                                                      Sunny Side of the Street
Blue Christmas                                            Medley – Jingle Bells, Saints, Silent Night
South Rampart Street Parade

They started with ‘Oh Christmas Tree’ and one of Fred’s audience quizzes – I believe we ended up with at least 5 titles for this number!

Skip sang several songs, including ‘Lulu’s Back in Town’,  ‘Blue Christmas’, ‘Mack the Knife’ and ‘How Come you do me like you do’.

Guest vocalist Andrew Walker sang ‘You are Always on my Mind’.

Andrew standing while band plays

Andrew Walker listens to band after his vocal on “You Are Always on My Mind”

Noel and Steve played ‘China Boy’ and Bob Card did ‘Sunny Side of the Street’.

Banjo and soprano sax, Art Hovey in background with tub

Steve Keillor and Noel Kaletsky

banjo playing, Noel holding clarinet

Steve and Noel

Heartbeat always puts on a great show and this holiday performance was no exception.   By the final number – a medley  of the usual ‘Saints’ with ‘Jingle Bells’ and ‘Silent Night’, everyone was singing along and definitely in the Christmas spirit.

Hear Heartbeat every 2nd Thursday at Oliver’s in Essex, CT and every 4th Thursday at Smarty’s.