Jazz Organist Draws Crowd to Green

You couldn’t ask for better weather last Thursday night on the Branford Green when the soulful jazz organist Lonnie Gasperini performed before another large audience.

Over 700 attended the fourth summer concert where they enjoyed the sounds of Gasperini on his Hammond B3 organ. He played with guitarist Danny Draher and drummer Jesse Hameen ll, the other members of his trio.

Originally from Rhode Island and now living in New York City, Gasperini has opened for a number of well-known artists over the years, including Lou Rawls, George Benson, Wynton Marsalis and Jimmy McGriff.

He has produced two albums, ​“North Beach Blues” in 2007 and ​“Turn Up the Gas,” both of which resulted in variations on several popular songs, including ​“I’ve Never Been in Love Before,” ​“If Only for One Night,” ​“This Must Be Love,” and ​“Lullaby of Birdland.”

In a pre-concert interview, Gasperini said of his appearance in Branford, ​“It means a great deal for me to share the art of the jazz organ to all people young and old who may or may not have been exposed to this jazz form.” The fans loved it.

Ron Mortali, a regular at all the Thursday concerts, told the Eagle, ​“I liked it very much. I wasn’t sure how I would enjoy jazz on an organ but it was great especially with the songs I was familiar with like, ​‘This Must Be Love.’”

The other members of the trio, Draher and Hameen added so much to the jazz numbers as well. The audience was up and dancing.

Good friends enjoyed their time together.

One couple seemed content, enjoying a light meal during the concert.

Draher drove all the way from Chicago on Thursday to play in Branford. A Master Blues Artist, he was named to the New York Blues Hall of Fame. Over the years he has performed with the likes of Buster Poindexter, Bo Diddley, and Etta James. 

Hameen, one of Connecticut’s best-known drummers, lives in New Haven. He is recognized for his precision and creativity. 

And making folks get up to dance.

Happy faces say it all.

Great sound at all the concerts is provided by Dennis Nardella. 

This Thursday alto saxophonist Vandell Andrew will perform on the Green, beginning at 6:30 p.m.
 
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