As we emerge from COVID, the DMA Social Committee, led by Jan Selkowitz, Gehr Brown and Bob McGroarty, has been seeking to schedule a variety of events and activities for this spring. Plans are in preliminary stages, with many options being considered, including musical performances, sporting events, trips to museums, sorties on Long Island Sound and the June DMA picnic. The first event is a catered musical performance on March 31, at St. Luke’s, by The Melissa Newman Quartet. The Quartet, which has been together since 2012, will be performing standards from The Great American Songbook.

The musical ensemble includes the following talented performers:

Melissa Newman, Vocals: In addition to her vocal talents, Melissa has appeared in many television series (“Bonanza”, “Entertainment Tonight” and “The New Perry Mason” to name a few) and movies (“Mr. and Mrs. Bridge”, “See How She Runs”, etc.). You will also have heard her singing on many commercial jingles. In addition, Melissa is a sculptor and works with ceramics and has volunteered her time to teach art, singing and drawing at correctional facilities for women. She is currently working with the publisher on a previously unreleased memoir by her father, Paul Newman.

Phil Bowler, Bass: Phil graduated with a music degree from The University of Hartford in 1972 and has since played with a long list of jazz greats such as Roland Kirk, Hugh Masekela, Wynton Marsalis, Slide Hampton, John Faddis, Max Roach, Horace Silver and the Count Basie Orchestra. He also hosted Jazz Adventures on WHKN in Bridgeport from 1999-2009.

Tony Lombardozzi, Guitar: Tony has been a jazz guitar instructor and ensemble director on the Wesleyan University music faculty since 1986. He has performed at many famous jazz venues such as the Blue Note and Lincoln Center Jazz in New York City and at many jazz festivals. Since the ‘70s he has performed with a long list of jazz greats such as Clark Terry, Les Paul, Kenny Barron, Rufus Reed and others too numerous to mention.

Matt Moadel, Drums: Matt is a working drummer as well as a teacher. Armed with a degree in percussion from Western Connecticut State University, he has studied many different drumming styles from traditional drum set styles and rudimentary snare drumming to Middle Eastern and African drumming. Matt has performed in many settings—from Jazz and Reggae to Flamenco and Funk to marching bands and pit orchestras.

Time and Location: St. Luke’s Youth and Community Center, at St. Luke’s Parish, 1864 Post Road, Darien Wine and Hors d’oeuvres, 6:30 p.m.—7:30 p.m./Music 7:30 p.m.—8:45 p.m. Catering by Carolyn Eddie’s Absolutely Fabulous Events

Cost: $20 per attendee for DMA members and spouses/significant others. Sign-up sheets will be available during the DMA’s general meetings at the DCA in the month of March. Make checks payable to the Darien Men’s Association and either deliver them when you sign up or mail them to the DMA, c/o the Darien Community Association, attention of Marilyn DeMaio, 274 Middlesex Road, Darien, CT 06820.

Plan to join us for a wonderful evening of food, drink and an outstanding musical performance!