A unique mix of swing, jazz & fun music from the 20's thru today.

Avenue A Concerts & Events 2012

[Diane (keys), Phil (sax) and Dick (trumpet)]

Schedule is subject to change due to weather and other events we can't control. Please check back to confirm dates and appearances.

As always, the band is available for private functions!

Avenue A performs swing, jazz, standards and popular music from the 1920's through today at parties and special events throughout southern New England. Whether you need music for your wedding or your fiftieth anniversary, a gala event or your fiftieth birthday party, Avenue A can provide the classic sound you're looking for without breaking the budget. Contact us about booking your next event: aamusic[at]mac[dot]com or 401-334-3143.

Concerts 2012

July 15 (Sunday): Marina Park, 6:00 p.m.
Salt Pond Road, Wakefield, RI
Go to one of South Kingstown's beautiful beaches, then wrap up the weekend with an Avenue A concert!
(Marina Park is just off Rt. 1, across from South County Hospital.)
Sponsor: Town of South Kingstown Parks and Recreation, (401)789-9301
Rain Site: Performance will be cancelled.
July 18 (Wednesday): Conimicut Point Park, 6:30-8:00 p.m.
Shawomet Ave / Point Ave., Warwick, RI
Beautiful setting in Warwick, right on the water!
Sponsor: City of Warwick Parks and Recreation, (401)738-2000 x6504
In the event of inclement weather, concert will be cancelled.
August 1 (Wednesday): Majestic Gazebo, 6:30 p.m.
6 Washington Street (at Main St. - Rt. 33), West Warwick, RI
Our first appearance in West Warwick at one of Rhode Island's newest bandstands. Look for it where Main Street splits at Washington Street, heading into the center of town.
Sponsor: West Warwick Recreation Department, (401)822-9260
August 7 (Tuesday): Villa at Saint Antoine, 7:00-8:00 p.m.
400 Mendon Road, No. Smithfield, RI
Our only appearance in the northern part of the state. This is an assisted living facility with a beautiful campus.
Sponsor: Villa at St. Antoine, (401)767-2574
Rain Date: August 8
August 23 (Thursday): Easton's (First) Beach, Newport, 6:00-7:30 p.m.
Memorial Boulevard, Newport
Concert on the beach! What else is there to say?
Sponsor: Newport Recreation Department, (401)845-5800
This concert was rescheduled from an earlier date this summer.
August 31 (Friday): Narragansett Gazebo, 6:00 p.m.
Route 1A, Narragansett, RI
Located directly across from Narragansett Beach, this is a great place to spend a summer evening.
Sponsor: Narragansett Parks and Recreation, (401)782-0658
September 2 (Sunday): Last Night, Bristol RI, 5:30 - 6:30 p.m.
Independence Park, Thames Street
Bristol knows how to throw a party, so come celebrate Labor Day and the end of summer here. Avenue A opens the evening festivities and the RI Philharmonic Summer Pops follows at 7, with fireworks over Bristol Harbor around 9:30. Get there early and bring a hearty picnic, a jacket and a blanket for an unforgettable evening as Bristol says goodbye to summer.
Sponsor: Town of Bristol, (401)253-7000
September 18 (Tuesday): Eastern States Exposition
West Springfield, MA
Celebrate Rhode Island Day at the Big "E" with us!
Performances in front of the Rhode Island Building, times to be announced but probably around 11 and 1:30. A parade, featuring some of RI's best high school bands, follows our last performance. A fun-filled day for the whole family - take the day off and come to the Big E!
RI Tourism Council, (401)273-9100.

Other Events

These are not official Avenue A events, but they do feature official Avenue A members:

June 26 (Tuesday): Michael DiMucci and Friends
Fourth of July Concerts, Independence Park, Bristol, RI, 6:30 p.m.
Rt 114 to Thames St., Bristol, by the Bay
Our good friend Michael DiMucci performs swing and standards with Diane and Karen as America's most patriotic town gears up for the Fourth. At 7:45, flashback to the 70's with the nine piece group Disco Inferno for a fun-filled retro evening.
Sponsor: Bristol Fourth of July Committee
July 3 (Tuesday): Bristol County Chorus
Fourth of July Concerts, Bristol, RI, 6:30 p.m.
Rt 114 to Thames St., Bristol, by the Bay
Diane and Karen back up the Bristol County Chorus on the eve of the Fourth. The British Invasion follows at 7:45, a 60's tribute band that covers more than just the Beatles. But didn't we already win the battle?
Sponsor: Town of Bristol, (401)253-7000
Rain Site: St Mary's Church, on the Common
July 19 (Thursday): Bristol County Chorus
Bristol Concerts on the Common, Bristol, RI, 7 p.m.
Bristol Town Common, between State, Church, High & Wood Streets
Diane and Karen back up the Bristol County Chorus in their annual summer pops concert on the Common.
Sponsor: Town of Bristol, (401)253-7000
Rain Site: St Mary's Church, on the Common
July 26-29: Legally Blonde
Bishop Hendricken High School, 2615 Warwick Ave, Warwick
Karen plays for the annual Bishop Hendricken Summer Stage production, always a fun time!
Bishop Hendricken High School, (401)739-3450 x147
August 2 (Thursday): Michael DiMucci and Friends
Bristol Concerts on the Common, Bristol, RI, 7 p.m.
Bristol Town Common, between State, Church, High & Wood Streets
Diane and Karen back up tenor Michael DiMucci as he performs a concert of classic American songs, featuring works by Cole Porter, the Gershwins, Jimmy van Heusen and others in the style of Frank Sinatra, Dean Martin and Michael Buble. This will be a swinging evening on the Common!
Sponsor: Town of Bristol, (401)253-7000
Rain Site: St Mary's Church, on the Common

Ongoing

Philip Mullen around Town
You can also catch Phil with Reminisce and various other local bands. Yep, he's a busy guy . . .
Newport Playhouse and Cabaret
Karen appears occasionally as the guest drummer at the Playhouse Cabaret, after the mainstage show. But whether she's there or not, there's always great food and entertainment at the Playhouse!
Newport Playhouse and Cabaret Restaurant, (401)848-7529

Avenue A is available for weddings, anniversaries, birthdays, and other special occasions.
Our unique selection and presentation of music will compliment your special event.

Contact us at aamusic[at]mac[dot]com.

Download the Avenue A brochure [pdf]

What We Play

Avenue A performs music from the 20's to today's adult contemporary, music that will please all ages. Concert performances feature our specialty of swing and jazz standards, along with a sampling of the many other types of music we enjoy playing, such as ragtime, boogie woogie, Latin and more. Upbeat arrangements of tunes made famous Glenn Miller, the Andrews Sisters, Duke Ellington, Nat "King" Cole, and others showcase the vocal and instrumental talents of the group.

Avenue A also performs as a function band for weddings, anniversaries, fundraisers and other special events. Our ability to play many different styles of music along with our varied instrumentation and great vocal harmonies makes us perfect for any occasion. Check out a sample of our songlist.

The band features keyboards, sax and/or trumpet, guitar, flute, harmonica, and drums. Everyone in the band sings, providing a variety of vocals and vocal harmonies. Whether you need a three, four, or five-piece group, Avenue A has the musical mix that will make your event unforgettable.

Where We've Been

[Phil on banjo] Avenue A began performing together in 1984 when vocalist Don Blais asked his college pal, pianist Diane Gualtieri, to back him up at a St. Patrick's Day party. Diane had been working with drummer Karen Mellor for a few years at that point, and suggested that she should come along, too. After playing mostly Irish music for five hours, the trio decided that they probably had a better future playing swing and jazz. Soon the group evolved into a general business band that played all types of music, performing on Bay Queen cruises for several summers and working steadily as a function band. In 1988, the trio had the good fortune of hooking up with guitar-playing saxophonist Phil Mullen, whose instrumental and vocal talents rounded out the band's sound. On top of that, he had similar culinary interests, which is a critical factor in most musical organizations.

[Diane on keyboards] Don has since retired and dedicated himself to cooking and singing classical music. Diane, Karen and Phil continue the Avenue A tradition, joined in 2000 by Dick Parent on trumpet and trombone. The addition of brass added a new dimension to the group, creating rich horn lines and an expanded repertoire and sound. From time to time, other regular substitutes may be found playing in the band including Mark Armstrong (guitar), Bill Smith (trumpet), Dennis Cook (sax) and Jack Martin (trumpet). Depending on availability and client needs, the group now performs in configurations of three to five players. Need a big band sound? Ask for Avenue A and the Dick Parent Orchestra, which features Diane, Karen and Phil on guitar with an additional five horns, a great sound for those big events!

Avenue A has performed for functions and concerts throughout Rhode Island and southeastern Massachusetts for over twenty-five years. The band provided the music for the annual Chance to Dance performances at the Providence Performing Arts Center for fifteen years, and Diane and Karen celebrated their twenty-fifth year performing with the Bay View Players at St. Mary Academy Bay View's Manhattan at the Bay in Riverside, RI in 2008. Time flies when you're having fun!

Avenue A is . . .

Philip Mullen
Saxophone, Flute, Guitar,
Banjo, Harmonica, Vocals

Karen Mellor
Drums, Vocals

Diane Gualtieri
Keyboards, Vocals

Dick Parent
Trumpet, Trombone, Vocals

Band Manager: Karen Mellor

Avenue A. If music's not fun, why do it?
For more information, contact Avenue A at aamusic[at]mac[dot]com or 401-334-3143.