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07/04/2023 07:41 AMAs the presenting platinum sponsor of the 2023 Branford Jazz on the Green Series, Bob Alvine of Branford Premier Subaru and Branford Premier Kia has delivered a $30,000 contribution supporting weekly, live, free performances of top national and international artists all summer long.
Now in its 15th year, Branford Jazz on the Green Series has lined up nine live performances of top talent on Thursday nights. The 2023 series kicked off Thursday, June 29, and concludes Thursday, Aug. 24. All shows begin at 6:30 p.m. at Branford’s new showmobile stage on the Branford green.
As a jazz series sponsor last year, Alvine provided critical assistance by contributing $12,000 to fund a stage for the event, said Branford Parks and Recreation Director Alex Palluzzi Jr.
“This year, Bob approached [Jazz Series committee member] Greg Robbins and asked what he could do,” said Palluzzi.
Alvine exceeded all expectations by offering a donation of $30,000, said Palluzzi. On June 29, Alvine presented Palluzzi and Branford First Selectman Jamie Cosgrove with two $15,000 checks (one from Premeir Kia and one from Premeir Subaru) at the showmobile stage on the Branford green.
“This is exciting for us,” said Alvine. “This is an amazing job that the team has done to bring in these national and international acts. To see these acts on social media, talking to their thousands of followers about being on the town green in Branford, is really putting this town on the national jazz music scene, more than ever.”
Alvine said the caliber of entertainment filling the Branford Jazz series is a credit to its organizers. Instituted in 2009 as a program of the Branford Festival Corporation and Branford Parks and Recreation, the jazz series is organized each year by a team of committee members.
Parks and Recreation program supervisor and Jazz Series committee member Victor Amatori deserves kudos for his work in curating and coordinating the roster of top acts each year, Palluzzi said. Jazz Series committee members include Alex Palluzzi Jr., Victor Amatori, Greg Robbins, Dale Izzo, Colin Sheehan, Peter Indeck, and Parks and Recreation staff members Monica Sullivan and Marissa Dugan. Palluzzi also thanks Parks and Recreation and Public Works maintenance crews for their assistance with the series.
Branford First Selectman Jamie Cosgrove said Alvine’s enthusiasm for supporting the Jazz Series is just one of many ways Alvine and the Branford Premier Auto Group continue to contribute and make an impact in the Branford community.
“We’re grateful to receive this generous contribution, but this is just one way that Bob Alvine has contributed to the Town and to numerous organizations throughout our town,” said Cosgrove. “He continues to invest in our community, not only through his businesses but also by his support he provides to many organizations. We’re fortunate to have him here in Branford.”
In particular, Alvine’s support of the Branford Jazz Series on the Green also supports other local businesses, Cosgrove noted.
“Events like this, that Bob, by his contributions, supports, have a ripple effect through supporting other businesses that are here,” said Cosgrove. “Beyond just the opportunity that it gives people to come out and enjoy free entertainment and a great event, it helps our ongoing effort to create a robust economy.”
The weekly Jazz Series draws between 1,000 to 1,500 people to downtown Branford each Thursday.
“When they come to town, we want them to be supporting the restaurants and the other retail businesses that are here in town, and we see that is happening. So Bob truly is continuing to make an investment in our community,” said Cosgrove.
“We just believe in Branford,” said Alvine. “The Parks and Rec Department does so much to enrich the lives of so many people in town, and we like to be a part of it. This is an amazing opportunity, especially after the pandemic, for everybody to come back out and be together and listen to some incredible music on a beautiful green in this amazing town.”
In addition to support provided by the presenting platinum sponsor, the Branford Jazz on the Green Series is also put on with the additional support of 21 local businesses and organizations. Learn more about the Branford Jazz on the Green Series and find the full line up of acts and sponsors at branfordjazz.com