March 13th was such a  spectacular event, initiated by another fine human being, Bill Logozzo and his Heartbeat Jazz Band.  This Dixieland band specializes in raising funds for a wide range of charitable causes. This was a fundraiser for trombonist Skip Hughes and his wife Joyce, whose house burned down several weeks before Christmas while Joyce was recuperating in the hospital from major surgery.  Skip came out of this with just the clothes on his back and his horn in the trunk of his car. Cold, foggy, drizzly March weather was no deterrent this afternoon, as friends and fans filled the First Church of Christ in Middletown, Connecticut,  anticipating some great Dixieland Jazz.

They weren't disappointed.   From the first tune:  "Let's fly down or drive down, To New Orleans. That city has pretty Historic scenes.
I'll take you, parade you, Down Bourbon Street"  -- everyone in the church became caught up in the pulsating atmosphere, the sight and sound of this outstanding band.   Fred Vigorito cornet, Noel Kaletsky clarinet and alto sax, Charlie Freeman piano, Gim Burton on banjo, Art Hovey acoustic bass and tuba, Bill Logozzo drums, and special guests John Clark (of the Wolverine Jazz Band) on clarinet and bari sax, and Skip Hughes on trombone.  The band responded to the enthusiastic crowd with pure adrenalin and passion.

Bill introduced Skip Hughes on trombone and vocals, and the Hartford-based singer/educator Dianne Mower, who is renowned as Connecticut's 1st lady of jazz.  This Little Light Of Mine - John Clark took out the forceful baritone saxophone to augment these two powerful voices, backed by a hot rhythm section, Burton banjo, Hovey string bass, Logozzo drums.  Suddenly the band went silent, leaving Skip and Dianne a capella - but the mesmerized fans picked up the beat, clapping their hands in perfect tempo. 

This event had been made public as "gospel and jazz for a good cause."  Calming things down, Skip sang the heartrending verse on the 1913 Old Rugged Cross, followed by fine piano, with Noel on alto sax, Art on tuba, the  drum lightly tapping cymbal, all of it echoing off the church ceiling.   He's Got the Whole World In His Hands had the crowd clapping again and singing along with Dianne & Skip, it was a virtual revival meeting!

Fred announced a tune that would be new for some of the musicians, but that never stops them - this is Jazz.  Charlie Freeman introduced I Will Fly Away, Fred and Gim Burton joined the piano; after one chorus, everybody was flying!

There was a brief interlude as Bill explained that this fundraiser was put together by folks "with joy and love in their hearts." He thanked Pastor John Hall of the First Church of Christ in Middletown Connecticut, the musicians who came from all over, and the committee of volunteers, Jean Hadley, Karen Senn, Shirley Bombaci, Shari Lucas-Logozzo, and Irene Cowern.  (This is one formidable committee!!)

Shortly after Jean Hadley heard about Skip's disaster, she called Bill Logozzo and said "We have to do something!" His answer "Bet your sweet Bippy!"  He immediately put a fund-raising appeal for Hughes on the Internet through his non-profit charitable foundation, Musical Dreams for Human Harmony. Jean and the committee sprung into action,  talked with pastor John Hall of the First Church of Christ (a church with great acoustics) and it all came together. 

They raffled off several gifts - Two weekend passes to the Hot steamed Jazz Festival.  Lunch at Yankee Clipper in Nyantic (hopefully on Wednesday when the band is playing.) Two weekend passes to TGCTJF elicited a groan from the crowd when they were won by ticket # 666, but we were in church, so who cared!  Dinner at Oliver's Tavern (hopefully on the first Thursday of the month). Two pictures - the New London Light House, and Winter scene from the Waterford historical Society.  Double CD of one of the band's live performances. Heartbeat's latest CD done last June. Also, $10 from any ticket purchased that day for TGCTJF was contributed to the fund.

Back to jazz.........
 

What a Wonderful World - Fred led out with a waa waa muted cornet, followed by a very exciting front line.  Bill then made a special dedication of Amazing Grace, for his 95-year-old Aunt in the audience.   More spirituals,  Fred again on slow, sweet, muted cornet, introduced a heart rending Glory Glory Halleluiah, when Bill yelled out  "I Love This!" as he forcefully beat the drums into a rabble rousing, upbeat Saints.  The second line was growing longer and longer, as more marchers were drawn in, magnetized. 

One more number - saved for last,  Sidney Bechet's Love Me With A Feeling.  This is Art's emotional love song, so different from his style on string bass and tuba.  Art Hovey on vocal  with Fred muted cornet - it was truly passionate!  (This is the first time we ever heard Art sing.) 

Jean Hadley says "We gals put our heads together and are going to have T-shirts made with a heart and the title of the song, Love Me With A Feeling.  The shirts will be for sale."

When Danny Barker left the Sticky Wicket in November of 1990, the doors were locked behind him and that was the end of 19 years of jazz at the Sticky Wicket.  But it wasn't the end of great Dixieland Jazz in New England, especially in Connecticut - Galvanized Jazz Band, Bearcats, Freight Train Five, John Russell's Big Easy Jazz Band , Constitution Jazz Band, and of course The Heartbeat Jazz Band, often with Skip and Dianne, who can be heard every Wednesday afternoon at the Yankee Klipper Restaurant, 157 West Main Street, Niantic, Connecticut (860) 739-9634.  See you there.

Marce