Music at The Mansion Series July 2009

The Friends of Long Hill Estate will once again host their ‘Music at the Mansion’ series in July at the Wadsworth Mansion in Middletown. Concert dates are July 1st, 8th, 15th, and 22nd. The rain date for the concerts is July 29th. Concerts begin at 6:30 p.m. There is no charge for admission and seating is on the south lawn.

Back by popular demand, Eight to the Bar (pictured above) will open the series on July 1st. They were voted ‘Best Band 2008’ by Connecticut Magazine and ‘Best Jazz Band’ in the 2008 Hartford Advocate Readers Poll. Drawing their musical influences from American roots music: swing, boogie woogie, rhythm & blues, soul, and Motown, Eight to the Bar is known for its outstanding instrumentalists and sophisticated musical and vocal arrangements. For more information, go to www.eighttothebar.com.

The July 8th concert will feature Galvanized Jazz Band, a dynamic group of Connecticut musicians devoted to the energetic performance of hot Dixieland, New Orleans jazz, blues, rags, stomps, struts, spirituals, swing, and classic popular songs from the past century. Recognized by Connecticut Magazine as "Best Jazz Band in the State", the Galvanized Jazz Band is showcased at large Jazz Festivals throughout the state. To learn more about these fine musicians, go to www.galvanizedjazzband.com.

Making their first appearance at the Mansion and their only visit to Connecticut this summer will be Jay Ungar & Molly Mason on July 15th. Steeped in American Roots music, the duo is best known for their performance of Jay's haunting composition "Ashokan Farewell", the musical hallmark of Ken Burn’s PBS series, "The Civil War." The soundtrack won a Grammy and "Ashokan Farewell", originally inspired by Jay & Molly's annual fiddle and dance camps, was nominated for an Emmy. To find out more, go to www.jayandmolly.com.


The concert series will conclude with Planet Zydeco, a six-piece band that captures the essence of traditional rural-style accordion-driven dance music played in Southern Louisiana. Led by accordionist Rose Sinclair (who's worked with Rani Arbo & daisy mayhem), the group (also featuring 2 guitars, bass, drums and rubboard) plays a popular mix of up-tempo songs, as well as slower blues-inspired numbers and traditional waltzes. To learn more, go to http://planetzydeco.tripod.com.

All of the concerts will begin at 6:30 p.m. The grounds will be open for picnicking at 5:30 p.m. Parking will be at the Mansion, at the Wilbert Snow School, 299 Wadsworth Street, and at Mercy High School, 1740 Randolph Road. Concerts will be held in light rain or the threat of showers. Concerts will be canceled in the event of electrical storms or threat to the wellbeing of the musicians and their instruments. Information will be available on the Wadsworth Mansion website at www.wadsworthmansion.com or by calling (860) 347-1064.

The music series is co-sponsored by the Long Hill Estate Authority and the Friends of Long Hill Estate.