Jimmy Mazz kicks of Summer Concerts in the Park Series

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He had upwards of 250 people smiling, singing and whistling last Friday evening under a spectacular backdrop of sparkling sun and blue skies inside Johnston War Memorial Park.

He had the crowd clapping in unison to iconic musical numbers from the 1960s through 1980s.

In short, Jimmy Mazz had people dancin’ in the streets during a prolific performance that served as the official kickoff for the Johnston Community Center Association’s (JCCA) second annual Summer Concerts in the Park Series

“This is incredible,” said Mark Gilmore, vice president of the JCCA, who served as the night’s emcee. “This crowd loves Jimmy Mazz. They just don’t want him to leave.”

Gilmore delivered that statement after the Ludlow, Mass., resident and famed singer/entertainer did the second of three curtain calls.

Mazz put on what Gilmore and Johnston Recreation Department Director Dan Mazzulla, as well as people of all ages, concurred was an “absolutely dazzling performance.”

The concert, which was the first of three scheduled performances the JCCA and recreation department will host inside Johnston War Memorial Park this summer, was scheduled to run from 6:30 p.m. to 8 p.m., but wound up clocking in at more than two hours.

“If Jimmy didn’t have to catch a plane for Florida early tomorrow morning, he probably would have stayed even longer,” Gilmore said. “This man is a polished and professional entertainer; he’s not only a great singer, but he comes loaded with all kinds of knowledge and history about each and every song he sings.”

There was also one constant that people like Gilmore and others emphasized separates Mazz from other one-man entertainment.

“Jimmy’s musical backdrop isn’t second rate,” Gilmore said. “Some sound systems are just there … but Jimmy’s is top rate. It’s easy to see why he’s requested and is headed for two special shows in Florida.”

Yet another crowning moment last Friday came when Mazz introduced Gillian Austin, a 14-year-old Johnston girl who attends La Salle Academy in Providence and who is the daughter of just one of many Jimmy Mazz fans who live in Rhode Island.

“That young girl is going to have a really bright future,” he said of Gillian, who was introduced by her sister Sara, 9. “What a beautiful voice and what a special talent.”

The audience concurred, giving the young Johnstonian a standing ovation after she sang two songs, one being from the famed “Phantom of the Opera.”

There was yet another special story during the concert. That’s when Ronnie Paquin – a part-time recreation staffer – scooted to the park’s storage shed and put almost a dozen folding chairs on a small tractor he drove near the viewing area and set up for some late-arriving ladies.

So, the JCCA and recreation department launched yet another successful community event, with two more scheduled next month. The Cross Country Band is scheduled to perform at 6 p.m. on Sunday, Aug. 2, while the Van Pelt Family featuring Erika Van Pelt of “American Idol” is set to perform at 6 p.m. on Sunday, Aug. 16.

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