Onto the Next Jazz Season; But First, Matt Marshak

The jazz season on the Branford town Green is over and Jazz series organizers are gearing up for the summer of 2016 but before we say adieu to the summer of 2015, here’s Matt Marshak at the last concert of this season. It was night to remember. 

It was not held on the usual Thursday night like the other jazz concerts this summer on the Branford Green, and the crowd was not as large as usual, (fear of rain that night) but it was clearly worth the wait.

Marshak was originally scheduled to perform on July 30 but heavy rain postponed the concert. Organizers arranged to reschedule the concert and it was held on Friday August 21. That gave concertgoers two concerts that week with Janet Planet and Friends on the regular Thursday night followed by Marshak. Here he is jamming with Ken Harris

“When we contacted Matt he was more than happy to give us another date,” said Charlotte Mattei, one of the organizers. ​“The crowd was a little smaller than normal,” she said, ​“but I think those that were here were treated to a great night of music and entertainment.” Here is drummer Carl Anderson. 

Marshak and his group, Ken Harris on bass, Carl Anderson on drums and Jay Rowe on keys got rolling and played some familiar songs from such artists as George Benson, James Brown, David Sanborn and BB King. Marshak got the crowd going when he went out in the audience to perform.

One familiar oldie was Santo and Johnny’s ​“Sleepwalk.”

The popular Marshak played here in 2010 and since then has been touring the world at prestigious events like the Dubai International Jazz Festival and the Mallorca Jazz Festival in Spain. Folks at the concert were in the groove. 

Dennis Nardella delivers perfect sound for all the performers

“We’re going to miss these concerts,” said Carol Swirsky (pictured), a regular along with her husband Dennis. ​“We come every week and think there’s no better way to spend a Thursday night.”

We agree. It was a wonderful season.

The audience stood as one when the final notes were played as Carl, Jay, Matt and Ken received a standing ​“O” from the crowd.

See you next year.

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