Heartbeat Dixieland Jazz Band Last Sunday at First Church

Is it Dixieland? . . . Or is it Wagtime?!

Heartbeat Dixieland Jazz Band performed last Sunday at First Church of Christ, Congregational, in downtown Middletown, as part of a service "Celebrating Music in Our Lives."

Those of us who attended the service probably noticed the prominent position of Larry, one parishioner's large, calm, golden Labrador (see photo at right).

Other critters sat quietly in the pews. But Larry shared front and center with Heartbeat Dixieland Jazz Band, lying in quiet approval at the feet of Heartbeat's founder and drummer, Bill Logozzo. But that's not all.

Videos of Sunday's service (linked below) posted on youtube show Larry's talent up close and somewhat personal, as the band processes around the sanctuary to the tune of "Saints Go Marching In," a traditional New Orleans processional. If you watch the video to the end, you will notice Larry, at lower left, keeping up with the beat. Or is the band following Larry's beat in a sort of Dixieland Wag? http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FsZ3hNUjd90

Heartbeat Dixieland Jazz Band includes musicians Bill Logozzo (drums), Albie Bernard (tuba), Shari Lucas (keyboard), Dianne Mower (vocalist), Sherman Kahn (clarinet), Fred Vigorito (cornet) and Ben Griffin (trombone). And . . . Larry (not shown).

Heartbeat's other numbers on Sunday also are shown on youtube:

A Closer Walk with Thee...http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CQdADi-xMr4
I’ll Fly Away...http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BIHoc8JjhSA
Amazing Grace...http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xwbIGRVuTiY

First Church of Christ, Congregational (UCC)

190 Court Street

Middletown, CT

First Church holds one Sunday service at 10 am (except in August). Childcare is provided; parking is available on Court Street and in streets and parking lots off Broad Street.

This Sunday at First Church - 9:45 am

HOT JAZZ for a COLD MORNING
Heartbeat
Dixieland Jazz Band

The particular highlight of Sunday’s service at First Church will be MUSIC, of course! as First Church again welcomes the Heartbeat Dixieland Jazz Band. Heartbeat has been dubbed “New England’s Most Lovable Jazz Band” and is made up of a handful of musicians with many years of experience playing Dixieland, as well as other types of music.

Bill Logozzo is the founder of Heartbeat and husband of First Church Music Minister Shari Lucas. Bill didn’t start playing drums until age 45, but he learned from great teachers such as Gene Bozzi, Sal Ranniello, and Art Perretta. He played with several bands before forming Heartbeat Dixieland Jazz Band. Bill says this about Heartbeat's music: “...it’s like a direct heartbeat to your soul.”

Dixieland jazz: Perfect for worship on a winter morning. Heartbeat's prelude starts at 9:45 am. Come listen and enjoy the service, then stay for coffee and conversation in the Parish Hall.

First Church of Christ Congregational, UCC
190 Court Street
Middletown, CT

Child care is provided, and parking is available on Court Street and in the surrounding neighborhood.