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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.
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All were electric and the crowd loved it. They danced all night.
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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.
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Darius came on stage to join his group, playing his sax.
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Other members of his group included Carl Anderson on drums.
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And David Livolsi on bass guitar,
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Here is Andy Able on guitar.
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and the always popular Jay Rowe on keys. Rowe was featured earlier in July when he performed with Jeanette Harris.
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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).
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It wouldn’t be a good night without a picture of a group of youngsters having fun.
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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.”
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“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.
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Van Wilgen’s owners, Bill and Laurie Van Wilgen, were enjoying the music when Town Clerk Lisa Arpin stopped by to say hello.
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Jennifer Acquino, the town’s Zoning Enforcement Officer and Jennifer Lawler, the town’s Human Resource Payroll Coordinator, were all smiles.
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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.
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Mattei (3rd from left) was recognized by Marcel Cote (left), Dr Joe Cardinale, Dale Izzo, Terry Elton, and Alex Palluzzi.
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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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Hey O'brien I played there on August 14, and I am a New Haven resident. Just an FYI....