‘Lightning’ Hits The Green at Latest Jazz Concert

There was lightning on the Branford Green last Thursday night, and it had nothing to do with the weather.

The bolt of lightning came in the form of singer songwriter Selina Albright, who burst onto the stage to her exhilarating leadoff song ​“You and I.”

Under the musical direction of keys player James ​“JRob” Roberson, the upbeat concert started on a high note.

He was joined by Anthony Steele on drums.

And Vernon Parson III on bass and key bass.

Albright developed her onstage charisma and vocal technique, inspired by legendary artists such as Whitney Houston, Take Six, Ella Fitzgerald, Dinah Washington, Beyonce, Lalah Hathaway, and Tina Turner. Albright was moving all night long.

The audience loved the evening. Here is ​“Chloe,” a 17-year-old Bichon, enjoys the night with her owner Lydia Abate of Branford.

Good friends Liz Anastasio, Grace Elgee and Joanne Dargin enjoy the night on the Green.

The Monument Gang always has a great time.

Lenore Montanero of Branford was ready for the concert.

The younger generation was having a ball.

And so were their parents.

Selina got the crowd going.

These folks quickly got in the groove.

And this lady danced up a storm.

Colin Sheehan, a talented young man from Branford with an excellent eye for talent himself, liked what he heard of Albright and her group. ​“She’s really good and what energy, wow,” said Sheehan, who was recently selected as director of the Branford High School spring musical this year. He is replacing longtime director Toni Cartisano, who along with musical director Cathyann Roding, retired at the end of this academic year. Sheehan is pictured with BHS alums Kelsey Mulligan (L) and Alena Fitzgerald.

The group played two sets of seven songs each and Selina performed in all of them. Her songs included ​“Search My Name,” ​“Victim,” and ​“Wifey Anthem” in the first set and ​“If I Were a Boy,” ​“Highest High” and ​“Talk to Her” in the second. Here the group takes a bow at the end of the concert.

According to a press release, ​“Her intimate connective writing style come from experiences and aspirations from her own life, so that when you listen to her music, you are introduced to a private piece of who she is, has been, or is becoming.”

The group finished their performance with the Stevie Wonder hit ​“Higher Ground.”

Tonight’s concert will feature the Rhythm Future Quartet, an acoustic jazz ensemble whose agenda is to keep the spirit of Gypsy jazz alive. The concert starts at 6:30 p.m. on the Green.

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