Small listening spaces, big listening fun
Small listening spaces, big listening fun
Hartford's Parkville Sounds joins New Haven's Firehouse 12 as a place to go for that intimate studio vibe
Parkville Sounds’ Studio B in action (credit Parkville Sounds)
Connecticut jazz lovers have long had the opportunity to soak in a truly “state of the art” listening experience at New Haven’s Firehouse 12 at 45 Crown Street. Every year, the folks at Firehouse bring two seasonal Friday night series of experimental and contemporary jazz concerts into their studio/listening venue, one in the spring and one in the fall. With two sets of music at incredibly reasonable prices ($20 for the 8:30 set and $15 for the 10 pm set), and acoustics to die for, fans in Connecticut looking for a deep dive experience have had one.
And they are about to get another.
Steve and Jillian Cusano, owners of Parkville Sounds at 1800 Park St. in Hartford, are bringing the “small space, big experience-experience” to the capital city this fall with “The Parkville Sessions,” live studio/recording events the duo describe as the love child of the Blue Note jazz club and NPR’s Tiny Desk Concerts.
The sessions will be held in Parkville’s largest studio, Studio B, which Steve Cusano said can accommodate about 75 people seated with some standing room space also available.
The next live session is this Friday (Oct. 11) from 7 – 8:30 pm, featuring drummer Jonathan Barber and Vision Ahead, musicians familiar to many Connecticut fans: Matt Knoegel on saxophone, Andrew Renfroe on guitar, Matt Dwonszyk on bass, and Taber Gable on piano. General admission tickets are $26. Wethersfield’s Vino Crudo will be on hand to supply sweet natural wines.
Additional sessions are with Evan Wood & The Blueprint (Nov. 16) and Charmagne Tripp (Nov. 22).
Steve said he has been recording in the various lodgings the studio has occupied for seven years, and did some videos that were broadcast on Connecticut Public TV during the Covid pandemic: “But this is the first year in our standalone building. Now we have a bigger, better space and more accommodations and we wanted to include an audience, and bring touring bands here and give them an audience and record and video it. It’s been an idea a long time coming.
“We want to offer a listening room and a moment of putting your phones away – we will take care of the audio and video for you – you can share this later if you love it. We want people to just have a good time and listen to some music.”
Both he and Jillian are graduates of the Hartt School of Music (Steve from the Jackie McLean Institute of Jazz and Jillian in dance) and believe Hartford is ready for their vision. Steve said he’s bringing inspiration from clubs he has been to across the country.
“Similar players would play in all of them, but they have different styles and they’re bringing in different types of music. And I want to bring that to Connecticut. Hartford is a great city, and people just don’t know that we even exist and do this. I just want to get the word out.”
Greg Ledovsky, production manager at Firehouse 12, said the staff down there is “absolutely” happy to see Steve and Jill join the small listening room cadre.
“There’s a need for all different kinds of music to be played, and it’s great there is enough desire and enough people willing to work behind the scenes to make sure the music gets out there,” Greg told 8495Jazz.
For those unfamiliar with Firehouse 12, the Crown Street venue also includes a bar serving vegan small plates and what Greg called a small, curated selection of beer, wine and cocktails. The listening room also doubles as the recording studio and seats up to 65; the “typical” crowd is usually a sophisticated mix of other musicians, non-players who may be familiar with a given performer, and those sonophiles who come “just for the sound.” Greg said one of the elements he likes to see is a young crowd, perhaps influenced by Firehouse 12’s proximity to Yale University.
Great jazz to honor a Connecticut legend and pay it forward
Some of Connecticut’s best-known jazz musicians have assembled to honor one of the state scene’s “founding fathers,” pianist Don DePalma, with a tribute album, Donny Time. The album was released Sept. 27 on Bandcamp ($13 for CD, $10 digital) – and 100% of the proceeds go to the DePalma Roy Scholarship, awarded annually to a graduate of Hartford County schools who is pursuing an instrumental music degree in college.
Among those appearing on the album are musicians well-known in Connecticut such as trombonist Steve Davis, vocalist Linda Ransom and saxophone player Kris Jensen. There are also a handful of young lions featured on this album, including Jonathan Barber, trumpet player Joshua Bruneau, and guitarist Tony Davis, all of whom were mentored by Don, who died in 2021. Don even crashes the party himself on a few tracks salvaged from a 2011 Paul Brown Monday Night Jazz Series show in Hartford’s Bushnell Park.
The album, which features Don’s original songs as well as standards he arranged, was produced by Rose Roy, who was mentored by Don and later became a colleague, and Matt Dwonszyk. Here’s a taste of the groove on the album, “Donny’s Blues:”
Out and about in SNE with 8495Jazz
Upcoming club and concert highlights (all information is current at press time, please confirm by contacting the venue):
8495Jazz Wild Card Gig of the Week
The Greater Middletown Concert Association brings the Frank Varela Trio to the Wadsworth Mansion, Tuesday, Oct. 8 at 7 pm. The Hartford Jazz Society listing says “the Greater Middletown Concert Association, who have presented many fine classical concerts in the Middlesex area, are branching out into jazz, and we applaud them!” Hey, mind if we pile on here at 8495Jazz? Tickets are $30 and may be purchased by calling 860-918-8971.
Firehouse 12, New Haven, CT
Lucian Ban and Mat Maneri, “Transylvanian Dance,” Fri., Oct. 11, 8:30 and 10 pm. $20/8:30, $15/10 pm set.
Elicit Brewery, Manchester, CT
Hartford Jazz Orchestra, Mon., Oct. 7, 7:30 pm. Free.
Small Batch Cellars, North Haven, CT
Beledo, Pete Levin, and the Seriously Floatng Band (fusion), Fri., Oct. 11, 7 pm. $23.11 (BYO food).
Waterbury Palace Theater, Waterbury, CT
Matt and Atla deChamplain (piano, vocals), Fri., Oct. 11, 7 and 9 pm. $37.
United Theater, Westerly, RI
Mariel Bildsten (trombone), Fri., Oct. 11, 7:30 pm. $27.
University of Rhode Island, Kingston, RI
URI Jazz Combos, Tue., Oct. 8, 7:30 pm. $15, $10 for students.
Jams
Cafe Nine, New Haven CT
New Haven Jazz Underground jam, usually 2nd and 4th Tuesday of every month: Highlights include Ed Cherry (guitar), Tue., Oct. 8 7 pm, session at 8, free admission
The Parlour, Providence, RI
First Sunday Berklee Alumni Jam featuring Ben Shaw Quartet, Sun., Oct. 6. $5 for jammers, $10 audience.
Jazz Societies and Organizations (great info on events, festivals, and more)
Jazz Society of Fairfield County
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