For Karl and the kids
Sixth annual Karl Kelly memorial concert takes place Sunday
In his Dionysian majesty, Jim Morrison became an icon through such dark pronouncements as “This is the end / My only friend, the end” and “When the music’s over / Turn out the lights.”
Well, Jimbo never met Karl Kelly — whose celebratory approach to music and life were diametrically opposite reflections of pure, joyous optimism. Kelly, for decades one of the region’s most popular rock and soul vocalists, died in 2012 of cancer. But in no way did Kelly, a member of the Connecticut Blues Hall of Fame, want his death to signify the music was over.
In fact, his legacy is proudly celebrated annually with the Karl Kelly Memorial Scholarship Fund Concerts, the sixth of which takes place from 3 to 7 p.m. Sunday in Langley’s Restaurant at Great Neck Country Club in Waterford.
As always, numerous musicians who shared the stage with Kelly over the years — routinely some of the best players around — will take part in a barrage of favorite songs. Kelly was a top draw and a world-class frontman who headed up such bands as Little Anthony and the Locomotives, KBM, Vice, and Karl Kelly and Company. The groove and material were always top notch, and it’s a given that, on Sunday, fans, friends and family will rock the place.
Too, the memorial has evolved in philanthropic purpose. The first concert was designed to help Kelly’s family with medical expenses. Soon, though, it became a
smoothly machinated operation that provides funds, lessons and instruments to music programs in New London schools. And, starting last year, those efforts expanded with contributions to the Junior Cabaret program at the Eugene O'Neill Theater Center in Waterford.
“As far as the scholarships go, we were basically working with New London High School,” says Donna Vendetto, a close friend of Kelly's since they were students at New London High School together. Vendetto attended the first two memorial concerts and, after noting attendance was down at the latter, volunteered to help with organizing and promoting the events.
“We ended up last year with some additional money, so we started encouraging other local schools and organizations to apply,” Vendetto says. “Karl's wife, Sue, suggested we reach out to the Cabaret Junior Fellows (at the O'Neill). I went and saw them last year and convinced the committee to give three scholarships this year. The Junior Cabaret was a favorite of Karl's.”
The Junior Fellows program offers successfully auditioned middle and high school students professional instruction and hands-on guidance in voice and movement as part of the Cabaret & Performance Conference.
“Karl played the O'Neill Barn,” says Amanda Kay Ritchie, director of marketing and college relations for the O'Neill. “We'd hosted Karl in performances as part of our Cabin Fever winter music series, and he and his family were frequent attendees at O'Neill shows for years.”
Funds for the Kelly scholarships come through ticket sales to the memorial concerts as well as income from event raffles that feature bountiful array of prizes supplied by local businesses and well-wishers. Advance tickets for Sunday's concert are $15 and available at Groton Guitars, Spindrift Guitars, Café Sol, Silva's Package Store, Nancy's Hair Salon, Muddy Waters and the Bird's Eye Tavern. It's $20 at the door, and contributions are welcome.
Along with Vendetto, Stephanie Hughes and Kathy Olbrys and other volunteers have become the do-all committee that keeps the concert and scholarship programs fluid.
“We don't think of this as work at all,” Vendetto says. “It's something where we regularly get together, and it's fun. It's something we enjoy doing, and that it helps people remember Karl and helps out young musicians is such a good thing.”
“In one way, I'm not surprised the concerts have gone in this direction,” says Andre Danford, the popular local R&B singer who will emcee the concert. “At the same time, I don't know that any of us realized it would turn into the success it has in terms of community outreach. It just really took root. Part of that is Karl, of course, but so many people have volunteered and been active — whether in terms of the music or organizing the events and working on the scholarships.”
Of course, the music will be excellent and presented in exuberant and poignant fashion. In addition to Danford and his musical partner, guitarist Eddie Aleida, there will be a veritable southeastern Connecticut rock hall of fame onstage including Dan Solomons, Billy Light, Doug Church, Bernie Santor, Roy MacLean, Mike Palazzolo, Steve Belgrade, Ron Lewis, John Van Ness, and several more.
“To Karl's credit, he reached a lot of people, both musicians and fans,” says Danford. “And as musicians, we still benefit from that. In almost any musical situation across the region, you'll meet a player and they'll say, ‘You're from New London? You must know Karl Kelly, right?' He was so well liked and so respected.”
Part of the fun of the performances is simply finding room and time to get everyone involved who wants to play. “What we're looking at right now is a set list of about 35 songs,” Danford laughs. “So you have to figure out what key, which instruments and which musician will fit, and make it happen. The easy part is that we all play to play. We love the music, and we love to see each other and thinking of Karl brings out the best in all of us.
“I'm sure I'm not the only one who grew up seeing and hearing Karl sing and thought, ‘I could be the next Karl Kelly!' It's something you celebrate, and it's something you learn not to take for granted.”