Jazz On The Green: A Perfect Night

Last Thursday’s Jazz on the Green drew one of the largest crowds of the summer. Around a 1,000 gathered for an evening of music, refreshments and friendship. Featured performer was ASCAP award-winning songwriter Kathy Kosins.

“It was a perfect night for a concert,” said Charlotte Mattei, the evening’s master of ceremonies and one of the event’s organizers. Temperature in the low 70s and no humidity made the cool night even more perfect, especially as the sun was setting. The Monument crowd gets there early to grab their good seats

Old favorites like ​“To Close for Comfort” and ​“You’d Be So Nice to Come Home To” and ​“Night Bird” were part of Kosin’s repertoire for the evening.

Her backup consisted of Darren Litzie on keyboard .

And Jerrod Cattey on drums.

And Henry Lugo on bass.

The program was entertaining and the audience reacted favorably to the performance; many people moved to the beat of the familiar tunes being offered. Other songs sung by Kosins included, ​“Kissing Bug,” ​“Can We Pretend,” and ​“All I Need is You.” 

Three friends settle in for the music

The kids seemed to love it. Two future artists joined in on the music

One was content knowing that ice cream is good for you

Recreation Department staff member Victor Amatori recognized the Eagle photographer.

Born and bred during the Motown era of Detroit, Kosins began singing and arranging background vocals in the early eighties. In the early ‘90s, Kosins fell in love with the freedom of the jazz art form, her website says. In addition to recording with many well-known jazz and R&B artists, Kosins is a fine painter. 

She let the audience know early on the names of her CD’s and that they were available for purchase, often reminding folks after each medley. Unlike others who have performed at the festival, she even went into the audience at the intermission and at the end of the concert looking to make some sales, actions that did not go unnoticed by the audience.   

Next week is the midpoint of the summer jazz series and will feature Frank Vignola and Vinny Raniolo, considered by some to be the most entertaining guitar duo today.
###