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Darius Energizes Audience in Final Jazz Concert

Bill O’Brien Photo

From the moment he stepped on the stage and on the Green, to his closing number two hours later, Eric Darius was non-stop energy personified. Thursday was the final concert of the 2017 Jazz Series, and it drew a large audience, estimated at 800, to the Branford Green, in what many said was the best concert of the year.

Bill O’Brien Photo

All were electric and the crowd loved it. They danced all night.

Bill O’Brien Photo

Darius arrived on the stage after other members of his group led off with his energetic early hit Let’s Go.” Other spirited numbers played in the first set included Because of You,” Can’t Get Enough,” and Broke Down.” All were electric and the crowd loved it. They danced all night.

Bill O’Brien Photo

Darius came on stage to join his group, playing his sax.

Bill O’Brien Photo

Other members of his group included Carl Anderson on drums.

Bill O’Brien Photo

And David Livolsi on bass guitar,

Bill O’Brien Photo

Here is Andy Able on guitar.

Bill O’Brien Photo

and the always popular Jay Rowe on keys. Rowe was featured earlier in July when he performed with Jeanette Harris.

Bill O’Brien Photo

A large crowd of 800 attended the last concert of the season.

Early on, Darius, an award-winning saxophonist, encouraged the audience to get up and dance when he told them, There’s a big dance floor right here in front of this stage. and you should all be up here dancing with your friends.”

By the time the concert came to a close two hours later, almost the entire audience was up and dancing. And often Darius was out there with them, sax in his hand, swinging away. (See top photo).

Bill O’Brien Photo

It wouldn’t be a good night without a picture of a group of youngsters having fun.

Bill O’Brien Photo

Or a happy dog. Oscar, a 7‑year-old Papillon, lies down next to his owner, Jacki Skelly, absorbing every note.

Committee member Alex Palluzzi, the usually laid back recreation director, was up with his daughter Megan cutting a rug” to the group’s Night on the Town.”

Bill O’Brien Photo

He got me going,” said Palluzzi, speaking of Darius. When he left the stage and went out into the audience to play, it got me into it. Everyone was up and I grabbed Megan and started dancing myself.” That’s Greg Nobile joining in.

Bill O’Brien Photo

Van Wilgen’s owners, Bill and Laurie Van Wilgen, were enjoying the music when Town Clerk Lisa Arpin stopped by to say hello.

Bill O’Brien Photo

Jennifer Acquino, the town’s Zoning Enforcement Officer and Jennifer Lawler, the town’s Human Resource Payroll Coordinator, were all smiles. 

Bill O’Brien Photo

First Selectman Jamie Cosgrove summed it up. He and his family were at the concert as well and liked what they saw. It’s obvious the people here tonight really liked the excitement this group provided. It couldn’t have been a better way to close the series,” Cosgrove said.

During intermission the Jazz Series committee honored one of their own. Committee member Charlotte Mattei is moving to Beverly, Massachusetts, to be closer to her daughter and her husband and was presented with several gifts and awards.

Bill O’Brien Photo

Mattei (3rd from left) was recognized by Marcel Cote (left), Dr Joe Cardinale, Dale Izzo, Terry Elton, and Alex Palluzzi.

Bill O’Brien Photo

At the end of a perfect summer night, the band takes a bow and bids farewell to a cool season of jazz.

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