Seen and Heard at SXSW: a Wide Range of Standouts

By Melinda Newman

LOS ANGELES (Billboard) - While most A&R execs say discovering a new act while trolling the clubs at South by Southwest Music Festival and Conference is rare, the Austin event does provide an excellent opportunity to check out bands that are already in their sights -- especially international artists. - story...

Obscure 60's CT Band- Yesterday's Children

I found this CD available on Scratch Records (Canada) and ordered it. Just got it today. I'll let you know how I like it.

AMG Review - This elegant CD reissues the sole album by this obscure Connecticut group who recorded this one LP and a classic psychedelic garage punk single which appears on the Psychedelic Unknowns compilation. While the debut single was classic beat garage of the period 1966, by the 1969 album the group expanded into more hard rock and progressive styles — and this album is drenched in the lead guitar blitz of Reggie Wright. The group was led by brothers Denis Croce on guitar and Richard Croce on vocals, and Chuck Maher and Ralph Muscatelli on bass and drums. The group is not to be confused with a Chicago-area group of the same name and era who appeared on the Pebbles box set. The reissue on Italian obscure specialist label Akarma is a stunning object to behold and an audiophile remaster of this underground classic.

More from Jim Kane- Bristol's rock 'n roll guru: A Bristol guy's experience- Jim Kane

Last Saturday night, I was a master of ceremonies for an oldies concert at Club Med in PortSt. Lucie, FL. The headliners were Frankie Ford (Sea Cruise), The Crystals (Doo Run Run , etc.)., Sonny Turner of The Platters (My Prayer, etc.), and Little Peggy March (I will follow him). By the way Peggys not little anymore. Bauser Bauman's band - Rocky & the Rollers was the band for the evening.

Turned out that the show was a sellout. White haired old farts were everywhere. The grecian formula guy could have retired selling his grease paint at this concert. Right from the git go, when I took the stage to do the opening procedures, you could sense that something special was going to happen. (Must have been the "spiked" Geritol they were serving).

Short and simple.... The house rocked for "4" straight hours. I couldn't believe the reaction of the crowd, and the artists got pluged in, and it was just like 1964 all ov! er again. What a magic night!!!!

Now, why am I telling you this story? Because just think about today's concerts and entertainment. What concert is aimed at what you like. Ever look at MTV - looks like hookers and gangsters have taken over TV. SO.....when an oldies concert is scheduled to play in your area - get up off your ass and buy some tickets. Get plenty of sleep the night before. Take an extra vitamin, and get ready to have a great time. SUPPORT these great artists. You did in the 50s & 60s, and thats why they are still playing dates today. REMEMBER - you are the royalty of Rock N Roll , after all "YOU" started rock n roll. If you didn't buy the records and go to the dances back in the 60s, rock n roll would have faded away. Show your kids and grand kids that you still have some life in you. Put your hands together and get out in the aisles and dance to the music. Don't be ashamed.

Dee Dee Kennebrew (Original lead singer for The Crystals) Grabbed me when Frankie Ford started singing "Sea Cruise" and dragged me to the dance floor. Now I will slow dance, but dance to a fast song, I can't remember who was President the last time that happened. Wow dancing with one of the legends of Rcok N Roll - I'll never forget it.

This was in my top 5 - all time - rock concerts. So when they come to your area - go to the show - and say a big Thank You to the artist for giving you and all our friends so many hours of listening and dancing pleasure. I have one request - Would you please pass this on to someone who loves our music! Its up to us to keep this legacy rolling. Rock N Roll is here to stay - it will never die - and last Saturday night , those good people shot and buried the funeral director!!!!! Jim Kane

Classic John Ryan Album Released!

Horizons Records announced today they are at last re-issuing The Hope Song, John Ryan with Orchestra, the legendary cult classic which has been the jewel of many a record collection, sometimes fetching thousands of dollars as it passes hands on Ebay. The record, recorded live at the Brass Guitar in the mid-1990's, features Ryan singing pop and jazz standards in his unique, faux-lounge style which, at first blush, seems quite bland, but blows away the hipper-than-thou cafe society crowd. Backed by the understated Rodney Greaves' Love in a Diner Men's Room Orchestra, Ryan croons, swings, teases his way through classics like Tom Jones' What's New,Pussycat, Andy Williams' Moon River, Captain & Tenille's Do That To Me One More TimeI Am, I Said. and, of course, the incomparable Neil Diamond gem Not for everyone; are you hip enough?

Ben Harper and the Blind Boys of Alabama - There will Be a Light This is a wonderful album. A gospel feel throughout with touches of Al Green, Otis Redding and even a little doo-wop thrown in, the record just grows and grows on you with each listen. Favorite of the moment is the 3rd cut, "Where could I go." Love it!

johnnykmusic goes to the Grammys

grammys.com

Great seats, hey J Lo? I tell her I'm a big fan because I'm a wimp and don't want to have her mad sitting next to me all night. She says she's a BIG fan of johnnykmusic. I think she is. Shhhh, Lo, it's starting. Tony? Nice to meet you.

NBA theme song AGAIN! Gwen Stefani proves that the Grammys are indeed about RECORDED music. Jeez, have some nerve and sing live! I like the mixing of music to open the show. Not great, but fun. Queen is a torch singer now, which is okay, but she doesn't deserve this stage yet. Bet the real jazz divas are a little pissed. Can't get into Alicia Keyes, sorry, but Jamie Foxx is pretty amazing. I wish Jerry Lee Lewis would perform.

The southern rock tribute was a better idea than reality. Dicky Betts looks a little worn, don't you think? Elvin Bishop not as boyish as the album cover I remember. I told J Lo she looked, i mean sounded great. Oh, Anthony was Tony's LAST name! My bad, Lo.

Janis Joplin tribute coming up. I'm a little gun-shy about seeing James Brown; I'm not so sure he feels good, like he knew that he would. Then a Ray Charles tribute. I wish they would pick people who are still alive and tribute them - bet they wish it too. Not too many awards being given. Bonnie Raitt is being shown alot for something; bet it's Ray.

I love gospel. Staples Singers. Blind Boys of Alabama. Check out their CD with Ben Harper. GREAT RECORD! Kanye West pulled it together pretty well. Hey, one of my CD's won! Loretta Lynne won for her album Van Lear Rose with the White Stripes' Jack White. Cute little interplay between the two while accepting the Grammy.

I liked the Janis Joplin tribute, it had some energy, even though I'm still wondering if Joss Stone is the real deal; tough to separate the hype. Two nice performances if you can keep from focusing on Melissa's doo. Looks cool. Hope she's doing ok. Although for a good cause, 'Across the Universe' sounded lame. I think I like John Mayer, who sounds like a cross between James Taylor and Dave Matthews. Looks like he went to Choate. Did he?

Thank God, The Godfather of Soul didn't try to do too much. Very nice Bonnie Raitt with tasty slide guitar. Makes one yearn for the old Bonnie, but she's paid her dues and her pop CD's sell.

Well, it's a wrap. Afterparties to attend. Gotta go. Oh yeah, Lo, lunch? Mos def!

Fat Tuesday at Anthony Jack's

Jambalaya, a spicy concoction of rice with crawfish, chicken, ham and sausage, together with a glass of Greg Norman Shiraz, was just one of the gastronomical delights awaiting the Fat Tuesday revelers on Bourbon Street in Southington. Good evening, welcome to Mardi Gras! More...

Fat Tuesday story and pictures:
Story/Pics 1
Pics 2
Pics 3
Pics 4


Jazz 'N Ribs...
New Orleans R&B...

Super Bowl Music Matchup

To offset the inevitably DREADFUL halftime music production (can't we just bring back THE Ohio State University marching band doing Script Ohio?), we'll have an alternative music event:
WHO HAS THE BETTER MUSIC -
Philadelphia Eagles or New England Patriots?

Go here...

The Iguanas

I received an email from JR inviting me to see The Iguanas on Sunday January 30 at a tiny bar in New Haven called Cafe Nine . I'M IN!!!! Guess I'll have to dust off their two old CD's and play them. I'll keep you posted. Nuevo Boogaloo!

Lots of miles on this group packed sardine-like into Cafe Nine Sunday evening for this hard-to-believe booking. Cafe Nine is long, narrow, quite small, located at the corner of State Street and Another Street with entrances at the State Street front end next to the stage/dartboard area and on the side, back near the (surprisingly clean)restrooms; bar along the inside wall from the front of the stage and tables along the outside wall and next to each of the wooden columns that line the center.

Doors opened at six for the seven o'clock show. No one there at six 'cept a few regulars so we got ourselves a column table about 30 feet from the stage. Nothing to do until tipoff, we look around. Neighborhood tavern. They go for the Bohemian thing here and don't have to work hard to pull it off. Everything kind of beat up, but the feel is very cool. JR came here a couple weeks ago and took in a poetry slam. Kerouac stares from the wall above the bar, next to a case of Hull's sitting atop a liquor shelf. They have an eclectic mix of entertainment, some Saturday afternoon jazz gives way to a traveling blues legend in the evening. Mental note to bring the gang down here some Saturday afternoon before going out to dinner.

I am confused, wondering if my sense of the Iguanas' stature is skewed. There should have been a long line waiting to get in! But by the second round of beers, I find my fears are unfounded. The crowd filters in. Mature, weathered, friendly, commonly-bound as ones in on the secret. By seven the place is packed.

The bandmembers are squeezing their way to the stage from somewhere in the back. I pass them on my way to the (surprisingly clean) restroom. A comment to not start until I get back gets a half-smirk. A few minutes of fiddling around with stuff and let's go!

Up on stage, the lineup shuffles into place: two grizzled veterans to the right share the singing, one playing guitar/accordian (if I only knew way back when how cool I could be with my squeezebox!), the other guitar/sax; two younger sax players to the left, the shorter one employing the Buddy Holly look, we would soon be told, is a special guest; rounding out the group is the rhythm section, bass and drums, who are mostly out of our view most of the time.

I own Neuvo Boogaloo and Sugar Town, so I recognize a reasonable chunk of the music. The crowd knows more of it, JR a bit less, but everyone is into it. At times we get a THREE sax thing going, which sounds like it would be redundant, but it works really well.

He drew tatoos for his friends
They'd sit around and get real stoned
And he fought with guys twice his size
So he wouldn't feel so alone
Angel
They said it was a shame
Angel
They loved him just the same
Angel
They shut him out
They said you had a mean streak in your heart

The show lasts for about an hour and a half, closing with a one song encore. Buddy Holly has been very good- who IS he? Lots of sax and accordion sounds bouncing off the walls. As good as advertised. Nice night in New Haven. A quick final stop at the (surprisingly clean) restroom and we're on our way home. JR pops Nuevo Boogaloo into the CD player...

He walked the street to the corner liquor store
Got some ciagarettes and wine and he backed out the door
It didn't work out quite like he thought it would
Now he's back page news down in the neighborhood

And it's boom boom boom
Boom boom boom
Boom boom all night long
Boom boom boom
Boom boom boom
Boom boom all night long

Alas, they didn't play 'My Girlfriend is a Waitress'!

Awaiting Peter M's report after he sees them at Johnny D's Wednesday (2/2/05) in Cambridge.
Update from PM: Show was fun. We ate, drank, danced, had fun. The extra sax player, Chris, is a guy who went to junior high with Derek, plays in bands in DC. They put on a good show, played two sets, but it started at 830....As usual, the place was full...less than on a thursday or friday, but still full.....seemed like everybody there were fans...Johnny D's gets good people......Johnny D's

Hartford Courant review

2005 Concert To-Do List A listing of artists I would like to see in 2005 (in no particular order)

Lucinda Williams- I saw her at Newport Folk Festival in 2004 and at Toad's Place in 2003. I want to see her again...and again

The Iguanas- Tonight (1/30/05) at Cafe Nine in New Haven.

Lou Ann Barton- It will never happen, but because she never tours, but I can wish. I'd settle for Marcia Ball.

Jon Cleary and the Absolute Monster Gentlemen- Saw him open for Bonnie Raitt at Oakdale a couple years ago and loved him. He was slated for a gig in Greenwich last fall, but cancelled. Can catch him in Northampton, MA on March 9th tour schedule

Van Morrison- Any time, any place. Enough said. Drat to all who are picky about his impersonal stage habits. He's The Man!

Bob Dylan- Renewed interest in Dylan. He is touring in 2005 as "The Bob Dylan Show" with his band (not Band) together with Merl Haggard and the Strangers. But would rather it be a smaller venue.

Traffic drummer, Jim Capaldi, dies at 60

Rock drummer Jim Capaldi, whose driving rock rhythms helped make Traffic a household name in the 1960s and 70s, died Friday after a brief fight with stomach cancer, his publicist said. More...

Cat Stevens, U.S. security threat, to perform for tsunami aid

The singer formerly known as Cat Stevens will headline a concert in Indonesia for victims of the Asian tsunami, said a statement posted on his Web site Thursday.

Yusuf Islam — who is barred from the United States because terror intelligence identifies him as a security threat — also plans to open an Indonesian branch of his charity, Small Kindness. More...

From Jim Kane, Bristol's oldies guru (now living in FL)

Hi Guys:

As most of you know, there will be a party at the end of June in Bristol. We have been asked to have music at the party for dancing or just singing along (I hope its only for dancing). So I will ask for your imput.

I am going to record music for the party, from the era from 1955-1964. I would ask you to send me "10" of your favorite songs from that era. I will try to record as many of your favorites as possible. Since they will be played at the party, and since you will be there, you might as well hear something you like. I have a collection of over 3000 45s - so there is a pretty good chance your favorites will be there. Any song request before 1955 or after 1964 will be omitted. Since many of you are going to endure a snowstorm, this is a chance to pull out the old records and pick out your favorites.

Now you don't have to do this, but be prepared to listen to other peoples favorites. Try! to get the songs you heard at the Boys Club dances. Have fun !!! Jim EMAIL

johnnyk pics:

At Last by Etta James

She's Sixteen, She's Beautiful and She's Mine by Johnny Burnette

Please Mr. Postman by the Marvelettes

Palisades Park by Freddie (Boom Boom) Cannon

The Wanderer by Dion

School Days by Chuck Berry

Shop Around by the Miracles

Chain Gang by Sam Cooke

I Get Around by the Beach Boys

Long Tall Sally by Little Richard

Kool lists

Courtesy of Steve Parsons - XM Radio's “The Essential 5002” songs in alphabetical order from Little Feat's Apolitical Blues to Dr. John's Zuzu Man.

Top 100 Philly albums of all time - 100. Tommy Conwell, Rumble- It's true: He and the Young Rumblers were the king of all bar bands, and that would hurt any rocker's credibility. But Tommy Conwell and the Young Rumblers were truly beloved in the '80s, mostly because this University of Delaware grad had a strong sense of what worked for the live crowd.

Tower Records 100 Essential Rock 'N Roll Albums - While shopping at the only Tower Records store in CT (with gift cards from Christmas 2003), I happened upon a pretty cool flyer, Tower Records 100 Essential Rock 'N Roll Albums listing.

What's hitting my ears this week

The Delivery Man by Elvis Costello

- his latest; not an easy listen at first, a country album, bought it over a month ago and just started listening again. I like it more and more (after the first cut). Duets with Lucinda Williams and Emmylou Harris. The man has taste in women. A listen in progress. More about EC...

Pin Your Spin by Jon Cleary & the Absolute Monster Gentlemen

New Orleans funk. First saw Cleary as the opening act/keyboardist for Bonnie Raitt and loved his act (actually better than the now mainstream-popular Bonnie, whose music has taken a sappy turn). The groove is the thing here and Jon 'spins' a deep, funky one. Nothing really memorable, but the experience leaves you feelin' goooood. Jon Cleary's 2005 tour dates (March 9th at the Iron Horse Inn in Northampton, MA) Here...

Tom Rush

Steve called today. Tom Rush will be in concert at Cheney Hall in Manchester (CT) on Saturday, February 12th and would I be interested? Hmmmm, he's still alive? Steve and I have seen a few together in our day - Bonnie Raitt at Toad's in her "Green Light" period and, in one of the strangest concerts ever, paired with Broadway legend father, John, at Oakdale; Jesse Colin Young at Toad's, Jonathan Edwards at Shaboo and Lake Compounce Ballroom come to mind) - but not for awhile.

So, Tom Rush! Boston-based, as I remember. Well respected folkie. Pretty good, but I never had one of his albums, never saw him in concert, unless he was part of a folk show at the Thomaston Opera House in the late 1970's. Can't remember. A quick look online shows he's touring to support his new CD "Trolling for Owls", a live recording. Got to listen to some of his stuff.

Some underrated CDs for your consideration

The Last Real Texas Blues Band featuring Doug Sahm	I discovered this in the used cd bin at Strawberries. I LOVE this album! "What Mac (Dr. John) is to New Orleans, Doug is to Texas. From Western swing to Lightnin' Hopkins' Houston blues, from TexMex ditties to polkas, Doug integrated it all and came out with something singular; his own sound on guitar, his own voice, his own songs. I also loved the irony of his calling his great sixties group The Sir Douglas Quintet, the Texan passing as a Brit to entice American ears. I was proud to produce his album, documenting Sahm's soul, embracing everything from T-Bone Walker to Bob Wills." - Jerry Wexler
Don't Give Up on Me - Solomon Burke	Saw him open for Van Morrison. Enormous and wildly entertaining. He was a minor star in the sixties, but forgotten for many years. Very well respected among his peers and his career is reborn with this cd, which was album of the year on many lists when released in 2002.
Julie Roberts - Julie Roberts	Thanks to Chris Dubose for the heads up on this one. Country with a nice blues accent. Catchy without the dreadful Nashville sappy/slick feeling. Give it a listen, I think you'll like her. Alot.
Katie Melua - Call Off the Search	Be careful about this one. You may hate yourself for listening to it - again and again, until you get that "I've eaten WAY too much candy" feeling. But this candy is good stuff. London-based by way of Soviet Georgia and Belfast, Katie Melua has been dubbed another Norah Jones, but she feels more jazz/blues than Jones' country blues. And, dare I mention, strings, too! She's been a BIG deal in the UK this past year. Go ahead, have another piece, just ONE more.

HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!!!!!!!!!

Tower Records 100 Essential Rock 'N Roll Albums

While shopping at the only Tower Records store in CT (with gift cards from Christmas 2003), I happened upon a pretty cool flyer, Tower Records 100 Essential Rock 'N Roll Albums listing. The flyer featured the album cover and a brief editorial comment for each of the 100 selected albums.


Intrigued, I have set up a web page of the list and ask for comments and your additions. Please participate here.

A Night at Black-eyed Sally's

Black-eyed Sally's BBQ & Blues Christ, it took so long to get here. What should have been a quick twenty-minute trip east on Interstate 84 to Hartford took about ten years. Oh, we talk about coming here all the time, but, as I've come to realize, I'm all talk and no action (well, for the present, let's leave my sex life out of this!). I love this place! Live blues, spicy Cajun food and short-skirted, big-busted, not-quite-ready-for-primetime patrons flaunting their personalities on the dance floor- what's not to like?

We have reservations for six. Reet got them, has some, but agrees to humor me. I feel the pressure to have the others like the experience since I've been touting it for SO long (You know, we REALLY should go to Black-eyed Sally's sometime. Yeah, sounds great. Next week? Right.).

We arrive. Big line outside, but we find it's for upstairs. Pig's Eye Pub. The young, on-the-make crowd. The older, already-made crowd enters over here, folks. Twenty-six dollar cover because there is a show. Reet insists we get a break with the dinner reservations and the biker-as-doorman finally agrees. Inside is dimly-lit, crowded, noisy, rambling. Great atmosphere. Big horseshoe (well, actually a 'J') bar where we get beers and kaluha sombreros while standing waiting for our table. Jackpot! We turn down an out-of-the-way table and wind up next to the stage, a location that doesn't say 'jackpot' to everyone in our party, but we're here for the blues, man!

Dinner is no pressure. You can't possibly have all six people like this stuff anyway, so why worry. I will like it; the jambalaya looks good. Keith will like it, love it if it beats him up a bit. Once, in response to a Thai waiter's caution that 'very hot' would be akin to gastronomic hari-kari, he urged the clearly amused young man to "bring it on!" The chef was apparently up for this feisty duel and nearly gave our hero a heart attack, and in doing so earned Keith's everlasting respect. Reet dislikes most exotic foods, but likes ribs and orders same. Sharon will like it, I think, for she is a pretty adventuresome diner. Sharie goes for a variety of appetizers. I can't make the call on Vin and Marcia - too little dining history.

Our timing is impeccable; the band starts fussing around the nearby bandstand as we reorder drinks and people-watch, a very interesting pastime in this joint. Our discussion (and that of most of the surrounding tables) centers around the aforementioned babe with legs up to here and a skirt almost down to meet them. Is she late 20s/early 30s, are they real/surreal, is she a wife/girlfriend/stripper/hooker (or possibly a combination thereof), she is with him/them/no one? Inquiring minds must know! In any event, her rubbing up against them as they stand at the bar yields few answers, but much entertainment. A dishevelled young man, who will later attempt an unauthorized drum solo during intermission, hits on our girl and is brushed off as unworthy. A shriek of laughter from the table of women behind us reminds us that a birthday celebration (the cake, candles and bad-singing waitstaff are a dead giveaway) is in session. Dykes night out, someone observes insensitively, noting that they've been dancing together often, not that there is anything wrong with that.

"Ladies and Gentlemen, please give a warm welcome to the George Boone Blues Band!" George Boone, dapper in suit and tie and seated on a tall stool, launches into an elongated blues instrumental that showcases his impressive guitar licks. Backed by his bandmates, the smirking Scotty Pippin lookalike bassist Raoul Bowman and drummer Mark McKay, Boone served up (cool jazz reviewer lingo for played) some very tasty licks and I received an approving nod from my tablemates. Dinner was served. Damn, jambalaya, a nice Bass ale, delicious cornbread and the George Boone Blues Band - it can't get much better than this! A glance to the right at our girlfriend grinding to the music says momentarily that there is an outside chance that it can, but who's to say, certainly not me! George is smokin'.

Conversation is out of the question at this point, but I'm loving this. Dancers infiltrate the dance floor and offer up yet another entertainment center. Head-bobbing, Elaine Benes-type dancing is fascinating to observe. And THEY are having fun, not caring what the too-timid crowd thinks. The music is loud as hell (despite my Catholic-school upbringing, I'm not convinced of the existence of Hell, but that discussion really has no place here). It's into the second set and we are fading fast. Reet's ribs were too spicy and Dave/Marcia were not crazy about the food, but George was a hit, I'd say. Our girlfriend leaves, I forget with whom, but suddenly we are entertained by a group of 40's-type dancers, in full costume, dancing the jitterbug REALLY well. Very cool.

But it is time to go, for we are all 50's something. A hesitation on the way out to listen to George doing some Motown covers (very tasty stuff, too). Good night, let's do this again. We really should. Right.

ctnow.com review

Jim Kane's Bristol (CT) Rock 'N Roll

Jim Kane is Bristol's Music Man. A product of Bristol Eastern HS (class of 1964), Jim was a basketball/baseball star (I played both against him as a St. Anthony's HS Crusader and with him on the 1962 Bristol American Legion CT state championship baseball team)and music aficionado. His love of that era's music is legendary and fiercely loyal (his comment in the Tower 100 guestbook leaves no doubt about where he stands). He is a musician who has played in rock 'n roll bands and has produced a number of concerts, forging friendships with many of the rock greats.

Now living in Port St. Lucie, FL, Jim, in partnership with Heffernan-Roy Records, has produced a series of 50's/60's/70's compilation CDs that feature Jim as the DJ weaving Bristol banter between cuts (yours truly is mentioned several times, but do not let that detract from the quality of the product).

The following is the complete catalog: 1.Bristol Twistin' Annie 2.Bristol's Great Love Songs 3.Bristol's Rock 'N Roll Revival 4.Bristol's American Music 5.Bristol Beach Music 6.Rock 'N Roll Is Here to Stay 7.Bristol Dreams 8.Bristol's Love Train 9.At the Hop 10.Bristol School Days

11.Bristol Friends 12.Bristol's Rockin' Christmas 13.Old Time Rock N Roll 14.Young Ladies of Rock N Roll 15.The British Invasion 16.Boys Club Dances 17.The Night the Music Died 18.Bristol Party Time 19.Moments to Remember 20.Bristol's Last Dance 21.Susie Q & the QTs

If you wish to inquire about these interesting CDs, please write Jim Kane at 320 NW Heather Street, Port St. Lucie, FL 34986

Southington Rotary Jazz 'N Ribs

"Great Jazz, Great Food, Great Cause" was the theme of an evening to truly satisfy the soul and senses. In the jazz club setting of Mt. Southington's Mountain Room, the Southington Rotary Club hosted Jazz 'N Ribs, a fundraiser to benefit the Rotary International PolioPlus campaign to eradicate the polio virus worldwide.

Guests enjoyed succulent ribs and fixins' prepared by chef Patrick Noury, served by student volunteers fron the Southington High School Interact Club, then listened to the hot jazz of the Billy Cofrances QuartetNicole Pasternak. featuring New York jazz vocalist

New haven-based saxophonist Cofrances, who cites Cannonball Adderly, Eric Kloss and Paul Desmond as influences, was backed by Tom Devino-drums, Steve Taylor-bass and Joe McWilliams-keyboards. The musicians seemed inspired by the tasty backdrop of oversized black and white posters of jazz greats such as Louis Armstrong and Miles Davis and delighted the capacity audience with two sets of energized jazz standards. Pasternak, whom Chuck Berg of JAZZTIMES has described as "reminiscent of a young Ella," often traded scat-laced vocals with Cofrances' tenor and alto licks. She even playfully blended in an audience request for Michael Franks' jazz/pop hit, "Popsicle Toes."

Billy's website features some wonderful pictures from the event.