Music at the Mansion

The Friends of Long Hill Estate and the Long Hill Estate Authority with sponsorship from Middlesex Hospital and a grant from the Community Foundation of Middlesex County will host their ‘Music at the Mansion’ season at the Wadsworth Mansion in Middletown in July. The season opens on July 6th with Shaded Soul. On July 13th the Hartford Jazz Orchestra will perform. Doo Wop Deville will perform on the 20th and closing out the season on July 27th will be The Michael Cleary Band. The concerts begin at 6:30 and are free to the public.

The fun starts off Wednesday July 6th with Shaded Soul. Often at the Mansion for private events, this is their first appearance at the Music at the Mansion Series. Their music spans many different decades and includes R & B, Motown, Funk, Soul, Jazz, Reggae, Swing, Rock, Pop, Disco, and top 40. Shaded Soul’s Band’s powerful vocal section and soulful rhythm section makes them one of the most sought after bands in New England. [www.shadedsoulband.com/]

The Hartford Jazz Orchestra makes a return visit on July 13th. The HJO has been in existence since 1965 when the musicians convened for its first of its Monday night rehearsals. Over the years, the ensemble built quite a following for its Monday night shows. Saxophonist/flutist Seb Giacco, a fixture on the local music scene, has been in the group since its inception and was instrumental in developing the Music at the Mansion series. [http://www.hartfordjazzorchestra.com/]

Also making their first appearance is Doo-Wop Deville on July 20th. Doo-Wop DeVille is New England’s newest and hottest doo wop show band! Comprised of experienced professional musicians dedicated to the presentation of authentic doo-wop music, the group features four talented vocalists backed by a band that includes bass, guitar, sax, drums, and keyboard. The groups exciting and dynamic performances get audiences of all ages up on their feet to dance and sing along with songs from such classic groups as the Five Satins, The Crests, The Flamingos and The Penguins. [http://doowopdeville.com/index.html]

Back by popular demand at the Mansion on July 27th is The Michael Cleary Band. The Michael Cleary Band is a Hartford institution. They are celebrating over years of making original Groove/Funk/Rock music with a twist and have been called Hartford's answer to the Allman Brothers. Their shows are filled with great songs, monstrous solos, epic jams, funky grooves and wacky humor. All in all, a diverse, joyous musical stew played and sung by talented musicians who love what they do. [www.michaelclearyband.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 cancelled in electrical storms or threat to the wellbeing of the musicians or their instruments. Information will be available on the Wadsworth Mansion website at www.wadsworthmansion.com or by calling (860) 347-1064.