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Monka Hatch rino/jazz at the Green RoonerPlus: Boots Mussulli tribute, Keys to the City, jazz in Elm ParkBy Chet Williamson

YoU could call her a classical singer,but she sings jazz. So call her a clas-sical jazz singer. But she singsBrazilian bossa novas like AstridGilberto. So call her a classical jazz nova.That has a nice ring to it but MonicaHatch would be happy if you simplycalled her a singer.

"Jazz to classical? It's not a difficulttransition for me," she said of her

chameleon-like ability toshift stylisti-cally. "Thetransition is

easy because I rarely perform both stylesin one concert."

Transition and versatility define Hatchas a singer. Since receiving her master'sdegree at the New England Conservatoryof Music, she has been a featured soloistfor many of the area's finest choruses andorchestras, and has gigged at the region'sbest jazz clubs.

Wearing her jazz suit, Hatch willappear at 8 p.m. Saturday, June 14, at theGreen Rooster Coffeehouse in UnitedCongregational Church, 6 InstituteRoad. She will be accompanied bypianist Paul Broadnax and bassist BobSimonelli.

The hiring of Broadnax offers a dou-ble treat. Besides being an accomplished

pianist, Broadnax is a singer of nationalimport.

"We'll probably do a couple of duos,"Hatch said. "I'm thinking of doing a tunethat he often does, "Don'tMisunderstand." A beautiful tune. Maybea cut from the CD that we do together,"Anthropology."

The CD is If You Never Come to Me,her debut, on the Worcester-basedBrownstone label. The disc showcases herversatility, offering a mix of bossa novaand standard jazz repertoire. Broadnaxplays piano throughout.

The voices of Hatch and Broadnaxoffer an intriguing coupling.

''We usually sing in the same key," shesaid. "I just happen to be an octave higherthan he is so we don't have to worry abouttransposing tunes very much at all. Ourvoices match nicely. He's got the rich,lower bass and I've got more of the sopra-no range. And he harmonizes really nice-lywithme."

BOOTS IN BRONZE: The late, greatsaxophonist Henry "Boots" Mussulli willbe honored in a special Father's Day ded-ication at 2 p.m. Sunday, June 15. A mon-ument with a plaque reading "Milford'sMusic Man" will be set not far from theformer Mussulli home on Pond Street,across from the Sacred Heart of Jesuschurch in Milford.

"He was one of the finest alto saxo-phonists in the country," said longtime

friend and fellow musician Emil Haddad.Mussulli, who was best known for his

work with Stan Kenton, was a brilliantsoloist whose melodic ideas always readas tight and concise as gold on a hom.Born and raised in Milford, Mussullidirected a youth orchestra and taught pri-vately there. Dave McKenna began hiscareer working with Mussulli. Hom manKen Sawyer, a longtime student ofMussulli's, will present the SawyerSaxophone Student Workshop withpianist Teesha Sawyer, bassist BunnyPrice and drummer Dave Karacrus.According to Haddad, many of "the cats"who played with Mussulli, as well as fam-ily and friends, will be there to celebratehis memory.

28 KEYS TO THE CITY: Keys to theCity is a double album to benefit theAmerican Cancer Society and featuresmany of New England's finest pianists,including Dave McKenna, Paul Broadnax,Paul Schmeling and Ray Santisi.

The album was produced by EricPreusser, a drummer who played on all ofthe album's tracks. He is also the owner ofMagnetic Music records, a Boston-basedlabel that released the disc. Keys to theCity is a follow-up to In Our Time, aBoston jazz music sampler, which alsobenefited the American Cancer Society.

"I lost my father and sister to cancer,"Preusser said. "I was in the middle of pro-ducing In Our Time, at that time, and it

Monica Hatch

was going to be a for-profit venture. Idecided to change the angle. It was a wayfor me to grieve."

Keys to the City is a double disc thatfeatures original work by the pianists. It'savailable in your better jazz-stockedrecord stores or by calling (617) 354-7705.

JAZZ IN THE PARK: Two jazz groupsslated for the Thursday-night concerts atElm Park. Beginning at 6:30 p.m., July 17,Dom V. and the Swing Out Big Band willperform. And on July 31, Toni Ballard andthe Bevan Manson Trio will play songs offher new CD, I'm Your Pal. •

page1titlesMonka Hatch rino/ jazz at the Green Rooner Plus: Boots Mussulli tribute, Keys to the City, jazz in Elm Park By Chet Williamson Monica Hatch