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Health & Fitness

the Who Dat Loungers brings N'Awlin's Music to Port Jefferson

A review of the Who Dat Loungers in Port Jefferson, NY

 

 

You don’t have to travel to New Orleans to hear or see a genuine New Orleans style  party band.  One is right here on Long Island as the audience on the lush lawns at Harbor Side Park, in Port Jefferson village, discovered on the picture perfect summer evening of Thursday, August 16th.  The Who Dat Loungers, featuring the dynamic dancing and vocals of Darnette Daren and the upbeat and funky performance of Sam Pruyn, had the audience clapping and dancing at their seats throughout this “N’ Awlin’s” flavored show.

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After the opening number, Feel Like Funking it Up, you knew you were in for a fast paced, high energy concert.  The Band paraded on stage with the horn section in full swing, swaying and prancing, in full regalia with hats, beads, and an open New Orleans style  “second line” sunshade parasol.   It was a bit loud at first which made it difficult to hear the lyrics, however, after the sound mikes were adjusted by the sound engineers, we could hear the band clearly.

A number of songs featured standout performances from the band, one of which was You Can Have My Husband, a jazz/blues number performed with sizzle and sass by lead vocalist,  Dawnette Darden.  Ms. Darden holds a degree in performance arts from Adelphi University, and has performed at Theatre Three right here in Port Jefferson.  Her performance skills were noticeable from the start of this number mesmerizing the audience with cat-like movements and a wide range of tones and notes.  She brought the song to life as she exhorted the women in the audience not to give up their “man.”  In   addition to this number Ms. Darden also displayed her musical talents with her renditions of I’ll Put a Spell on You, and Don’t You Feel My Leg,  both of which she captivated her listeners with her vocal range, dance movement, and presence.

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The horn section was a genuine Dixieland collaboration featuring Nick Gianni on tenor and baritone sax,  Joe Devassey on slide trombone, and Gary Henderson on trumpet.  They were particularly good in numbers like Iko Iko and the gospel standard This Little Light of Mine, in addition to their sharp and ringing interludes in Time is on My Side and Let the Good Times Roll.

Joe Lauro, co-leader of the Who Dat, played an outstanding standup base which happily for him was just “released from the bass hospital where it was under repair.”  Fortunately for us the bass has fully recovered providing for a fine foundation and backbone for this evening’s selection of traditional and jazzy selection of songs. In addition to Mr. Lauro, lead guitarist Michael Schiano was a pleasure to hear both as a vocalist and as a lead.  His solo in Time is on My Side was craftily done.

Stand in drummer, Howard Silverman and keyboard player Mark Mancini, a well known Manhattan musician, were no strangers to this music, fitting in nicely and enhancing the festive, ever lively show band performance.

The show ended with the audience dancing and singing in the aisles lead by the  rousing singing and calling of lead vocalist Sam Pruyn. His swinging version of Over in the Glory Land t had everyone up on their feet dancing and cheering.  Mr. Pruyn’s jovial and upbeat performance throughout the evening, culminated in this pageant of dancing, singing, twirling and weaving his way through the crowd bringing the funky Mardi Gras spirits to rest at Harborfront Park.  His gritty vocals and strong two part harmonies were at the center of the evenings performance.

Once again Port Jefferson Village has done a spectacular job of bringing great live performances to the village with another successful season of free summer evening concerts.



By Robert Makofsky

August 21,2012

 

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