Westwood Swing brings dancing to Norwood Common

The Summer Concert Series is back in full “swing” this year, with concerts on Sundays, Mondays, and Wednesdays free of charge for patrons to enjoy throughout the summer on The Common.

On Sunday, July 19, The Westwood Swing Band took center stage in the gazebo as they played familiar tunes with members who have been playing for decades, some of whom are also related.

Founded in the late 1980s by Mark Rogers, who passed away in 2017, the band is now run on a committee structure, according to Mike Greenfield, who plays baritone sax, clarinet and flute for the band. The general feel was that of a group of friends who have a lot of respect for each other's talents and who enjoy showcasing their ensemble efforts in a myriad of places. This year, they decided to center the music around the 250th celebration of the United States.

“It’s a challenging time and very different from the bicentennial 50 years ago. Hopefully people get a lot of joy from hearing music from the ’30s to ’80s,” Greenfield said.

The band takes liberties with more modern music and fits it to a swing band era sound, Greenfield added.

Wayne Carlson, who is lead trumpet, said this year’s concert includes new material and even some duets with his wife, Maria, who is the lead singer. Those duets included “Fly Me to the Moon” and the “Lady is a Tramp.”

“It’s the largest thing I’ve ever done. More than any job,” Carlson said smiling. He joined the group in 1991.

His son, Andy, who played in last year’s concert, took a seat this year on the Common along with the nearly 150 guests seated comfortably in colorful lawn chairs dotted all over the area. He said he normally plays guitar as a standby but tonight he was just there as a spectator and to support his parents.

Families spread out on blankets as toddlers played with soccer balls, maybe because the World Cup final match was going on (Spain beat Argentina). But on the Common, the listeners were the winners as they sat and enjoyed a free concert in comfortable 70-degree weather on a beautiful lawn with a gazebo covered in white lights.

An old couple danced, and a little girl in a pink tutu had more energy than anyone as she kept twirling as her caregivers sat and encouraged her spunky dance moves.

Jonathan Monahan, who also plays trumpet, said it was a wonderful opportunity to share music with the community and he felt it was his responsibility to keep this kind of music alive. The fact he gets to make music with really good friends is an added bonus. In his spare time, he said he is also a photographer and contributes to the local Dedham newspaper, but by trade he is a software engineer. He said he said he even combined two of his passions by shooting a car show in Dedham.

Many of the band members were in good spirits and eager to share their experiences with the band and each other.

Thomas Lawlor said he was the only bandmate to actually live in Westwood, and he is the person responsible for arranging the music. Of their 150 selections, they had a setlist of roughly 26 songs. David Doucett, bass player, said they were focusing more on ’50s and ’60s music this year. He referred to himself as a long-standing member and that he used to play with one of Artie Shaw’s swing bands. Artie Shaw is one of the most well-known swing band leaders and enjoyed prominence during the ’30s and moved on to smaller bands after his heyday.

Advertisement

Most of the people in the crowd were simply there to enjoy the vibe. A husband and wife sat closely, their heads tilted, as they listened to the familiar songs of the Westwood Swing Band. Margie Cibotti said she simply wanted to get out of the house, but looked quite comfortable in her outdoor seat. Andrea Vezina, of Norwood, who smiled at her friend’s blunt comment said she enjoys the Wednesday offerings which have so far included rock, jazz and country. Robert Cambria sat with his wife and son and said it was “a nice, relaxing, peaceful way to get away from the actual world and live in your own world for a bit.” He commented on an elderly couple dancing and said it brought out their inner selves which he called “fantastic.” His son Ethan, 10, plays the trombone. Robert added that he gets involved in a lot of new languages. Those who think the younger generation likes to hide away on their laptops have not met Ethan and probably many other kids who thrive with opportunities to enjoy higher art forms in person.

Theresia Luna and her condo mate, Sandra, who said they have known each other for 22 years from their Dedham abode, enjoy the convenience and pleasant surroundings these concerts offer.

Norwood Selectman and Town of Norwood Concert Committee Chair Bob Donnelly said none of these events would be possible without the generous support of the donors and the Town of Norwood, so a big thank you was on the back of the pamphlet to all the local businesses who also benefit from the crowds these concerts attract.

All the concerts start at 6:30 p.m. Sundays are called Concerts on the Common. Future bands include: Sharon Concert Band and She Bop Swing Orchestra. Mondays are Carillon Concerts which feature an organ played from town hall which has bells attached to the keyboard. The sound is very familiar and having a day dedicated to this music makes one appreciate the musicality attached to what we typically hear from churches. Wednesday are Summerfest Concerts.

For those interested in donating to the concert committee, mail checks to 566 Washington St., Norwood, MA 02062.

For a list of all concerts, go to: https://gvimes.link/nrwdcncrts