Jazzmen: Octet will kick off Concerts in the Park on Saturday
By TOM LAVIS
The Tribune-Democrat
Organizers of the Concerts in the Park jazz series have doubled the fun for the second season.
Chris Voccio, publisher of The Tribune-Democrat and Johnstown Magazine, among the organizers, said last summer’s concert series was such a success that he wanted to expand it.
“That is where Somerset Trust came forward to underwrite an entire eight-concert season,” Voccio said.
“Last year exceeded our expectations in terms of attendance, and we’re looking forward to bigger crowds.”
All concerts are scheduled for 7 p.m. at Central Park Gazebo in downtown Johnstown.
Taking the stage Saturday for the first concert will be Jazz in Your Face Octet.
Band leader Michael Bodolosky, who is band director for Richland School District, said the concerts provide a nostalgic evening where people can gather, reminisce and enjoy an outdoor concert.
“It’s a great location,” Bodolosky said. “It’s great to look out over Central Park and see 400 to 500 people gathered to hear great music.”
The octet plays standard jazz tunes from Kenny Dorham’s “Blue Bossa” to Duke Ellington’s “Take the A Train” and “Satin Doll.”
“The evenings when the entire band is on stage, we play all the big-band favorites,” Bodolosky said.
“We take requests, and if it’s in our book, we play it,” Bodolosky said. “If not, we will have it for the next concert.”
Roberta Lohr, Somerset Trust Co. marketing vice president, said sponsoring the series was a no-brainer.
“We are a community bank and anything that is good for the community is good for us,” Lohr said.
“These concerts have a universal appeal and are good family entertainment.”
Three concerts will feature the music of Lou Stein & All That Jazz.
Stein is eager to be part of the series.
“I have played venues and festivals from Baltimore to Ligonier,” Stein said.
“Central Park is two or three times bigger than the Diamond at Ligonier and they attract more than 1,000 people to each summer concert. We can do that here.”
Stein and his group will be winging each performance.
“No matter who comes in with me, we can play anything that was produced in the last 100 years,” he said.
Voccio said Central Park in the summer is an inviting venue, where folks can come downtown, park free and enjoy great music.
“If the weather cooperates, the park is a great place to spread a blanket or place a lawn chair to listen to some cool jazz on a calm evening,” he said.
“Concerts last until 9 and give people an opportunity to do other things afterward.”
