Kickoff was stupendous...

The community center was full, with chairs all along the walls to accommodate the crowd that came to see Denis DiBlasio last night. Bill the bartender was kept busy uncorking wine bottles and pouring free sodas as people found their favorite seat (at a candlelit table or in the concert seating on the dance floor) to be in just the right spot to see and hear. DiBlasio's band began with a cannon shot, burning through the Frank Sinatra favorite - "That's All," then delicately picked their way along "Someday My Prince Will Come" from the Disney movie Snow White. The audience asked questions about DiBlasio's travels and had requests (no he doesn't do requests), and we all laughed a lot, because the baritone saxophonist is a pretty funny guy. Family and friends and many Collingswooders sighed over two Duke Ellington tunes, "In a Mellow Tone" (with guitarist Brain Betz doing his best Freddie Green imitation) and "In a Sentimental Mood," with DiBlasio at his plaintive best. Bassist Steve Varner and drummer Jim Miller, both award-winning sidemen, kept things interesting with their complimentary playing. The night ended with DiBlasio doing his signature "Flintstones Theme," complete with breakneck speed scatting and the crowd went ballistic. Great time was had by all and four lucky people won CDs! Everyone is looking forward to hearing songstress Miss Justine, next First Thursday.