by Marce
Front Row (left to right): Albie Bernard, Sal Basile, Jason & Karen Senn, Gim Burton, Ronnie Spector, Michelle Berting, Sherman Kahn, Fred Vigorito, Ken Chant
Second Row (left to right): Ben Griffin, Bob Cafro, Cindy Cafro, Mark Brett, Mary Rodgers, Jimmie Rodgers, Marshall Lytle, JoAnne Martin (Jimmy Jay’s wife), David Spitzer, Jimmy Jay, Judy Postemsky, Bill Logozzo, Skip Hughes, Shari Lucas, Denise Hornbecker (Channel 3 Kids Camp), Shirley Bombaci, Jeff Hughes, Nancy Loader, Michael Dauphin (Hole in the Wall), Maria Gomez (Hole in the Wall)
Bill Logozzo has two bands, a Dixieland Jazz Band and a Rock Band. It’s not often the two get to play together, but this fundraiser was for a very special reason – children. Bill is aware of how important it is for kids to receive love and support. His Musical Dreams for Human Harmony funnels monies to help children and people from all religions, races and ages, with specific medical needs and/or handicaps. Held at the First Church of Christ in Middletown Connecticut on April 21, 2012, all proceeds went to:
Paul Newman’s Hole in the Wall Gang Camp, created in 1988 in Ashford CT, serves more than 20,000 children and family members annually, free of charge. Through summer sessions and family weekend programs, and year-round outreach to hospitals and clinics throughout the Northeast, this community provides “a different kind of healing” to children and their families coping with cancer, sickle cell anemia and other serious illnesses. They are generally isolated from the community. Here illnesses are left at the door, children impact each other and can “raise a little hell” with others just like themselves. Not isolated. Their infirmary is called “The OK Corral !”
The Channel 3 Kids’ Camp, founded in 1910, is a year-round retreat for over 4000 children, ages 6 – 16 on 350 acres along the Skungamaug River. For them the camping season never ends! They have both day and week camps. At the Day Camp Children 6-12 learn self esteem and independence through learning and playing with other children. The overnight camps provide teens with personal, social and recreational programs in a safe and positive environment that enhances personal and social skills, teaches leadership and responsibility, and promotes individual self-esteem. In addition to the social benefits, a week spent in the mountains or woods heightens the child’s awareness of the relationship between people and nature. During the fall and winter months, many more children are able to experience this vast 350 acres as they participate in Natures Classroom, where science and nature are brought to life in a way that no text book possibly can.
Bill Logozzo believes that music is the route to the soul, and the method for making all feel good. He and countless volunteers, headed by Karen Senn gathered the best local musicians and some Country and Rock Stars from different generations.
Jimmy Jay, DJ of the Stars served as announcer – “This is the first time I’ve ever partied in a church!.”
He saluted his friend Dick Clark, who had just died at 82. Jimmy had an 80th birthday salute to Clark just 2 years ago.
He introduced an extended Heartbeat Jazz Band to jump-start this very special afternoon.
Marshall Lytle and Jimmy Jay
Logozzo’s drum took the intro to a WILD New Orleans, with Skip Hughes powerful voice, and the jazz ensemble echoing off the high church ceiling. Skip called it a “con-fusion” band Swing That Music was spectacular – John Clark vocalizing!
Ray Ross photo
Ben Griffin used Basin St. Blues to introduce each musician: Sherman Kahn, John Clark, reeds, Ben Griffin and Skip Hughes trombone, Jeff Hughes cornet, Bill Logozo drums, Shari Lucas keyboard, Gim Burton banjo, Albie Bernard tuba. Blues My Naughty Sweety Gives to Me had the skillful intertwining of the clarinet duo, Sherman Kahn and John Clark. You could feel the musical energy building up.
Jimmy introduced Michelle Berting Connecticut’s newest import from Canada, who is currently starring in “The Man In Black” tour, a show about Johnny Cash and June Carter Cash, and also in “Close To You: The Songs of the Carpenters,” set to launch in the U.S. this year. (She also takes time to sing for our troops.) From the standard song book, this charming singer chose Georgia, intro by Jeff Hughes on muted 1955 Connstellation cornet. Singing from the heart, she continued with, Sentimental Journey, the audience attentive and quiet.
Ray Ross photo
Next was Marshall Lytle a founding member and bassist of Bill Haley and the Comets. Lytle was recently inducted into the Rock ‘n Roll Hall of Fame, finally, 58 years after recording Rock Around the Clock! Triple Play, Logozzo’s Rock ‘n Roll band, backed him with help from Ben Griffin on trombone, Sherman Kahn on tenor sax, and Shari Lucas on keyboard. Lyte immediately won the heart of this audience – this was our era! We were squirming in our seats.
Shake Rattle & Roll, had the audience clapping in sync, people in the balcony dancing, in the aisles, they gave him a standing ovation – and he had just begun! He thanked the wonderful audience. Next was another one from 50’s See Ya Later Alligator, people up back couldn’t sit, started dancing, including me. Michelle Berting joined him for a tune he wrote in1950 You’re the Greatest.
DJ Jimmy Jay presented Jimmie Rodgers, country singer best known for his chart-topping hits in the 50s and 60s. He has lost his voice for 6 years due to an aneurism, and is now trying to restore his career by playing some of the songs from his 23 gold records and singing along, and telling jokes. Secretly, Kisses Sweeter Than Wine, Un Oh Falling in Love Again, A Child of Clay, Honeycomb, and then did one song in his own voice, playing guitar, A Hundred Miles, taking us to 5pm.
There was a break, cut short by Freddy Vigorito’s bugle call, bringing everyone back for an extra half hour.
Jimmy Jay introduced Ronnie Spector, the heart and soul of female Rock and Roll in the 1960s. A profoundly moving singer, she defined an entire era in pop music. She and the Ronettes were inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in March 2007. She sang an emotional Be My Baby. “I’m thrilled to be here for the Channel 3 Kids Camp – it comes from the heart.”
Heartbeat Jazz Band returned with Michelle Berting for a fine rendition of Patsy Cline’s country hit, Crazy.
Triple Play joined the Heartbeat for a barn-burning, Louis Prima’s Jump Jive & Wail that had Shari jumping up and jiving. The horns went wild, weaving in all directions. They followed with Tiger Rag in triple time, with the ferocious tiger of two trombones, both Jeff and Freddy on cornet, Logozzo slamming the drums. Washington and Lee Swing(The Dummy Song) with Skip Hughes vocal. Incredible! But it wasn’t over.
Ray Ross photo
Our favorite young vocalist, Jason Senn, brought the house down with Louis Armstrong’s What a Wonderful World. It really is!!
Finally, Heartbeat sent us marching home with a raucous When The Saints Go Marching In.
Heartbeat Dixieland Jazz Band has a Facebook page! If you’re on Facebook, please go to the page and click “like” for their schedule. Plus, You can view all the photos and videos from this concert.
You may donate anytime to continue the work of the Hole in the Wall Gang Camp and The Channel 3 Kids’ Camp, 73 Times Farm Road, Andover, CT 06232, Tel: 860-742-CAMP, or sign up: Schedule.