| JANUARY 19, 2010 -- For about 15 years, the Chris Coogan Quintet was a fixture at the Silvermine Tavern in Norwalk.
The group frequently performed in the restaurant's live jazz series, along with other musicians from the area. As the quintet built up a loyal fan base, it also helped to foster an appreciation of the music among those who were new to the genre.
However, the restaurant closed in 2008.
The quintet's saxophonist, Jim Clark of Norwalk, likened the closing to losing a home base, or an anchor, for musicians and fans alike.
"We had to explore what we could do to replace that," Clark said of the area's jazz musicians.
Coogan, a Weston resident, is hoping a monthly jazz series in Weston will help to fill that void.
The next concert is Saturday night at the Norfield Grange.
"It is a fun place to be in," he said of the building, which serves as a meeting place for all sorts of creative pursuits, such as swing dancing, drum circles and community presentations. "It is kind of a funky, unassuming place."
Coogan, who plays piano for the group, is a performer, composer and producer whose musical roots are embedded in jazz and gospel. He also is the director of the Good News Gospel Choir, which performs throughout the area.
Clark applauded Coogan for taking the initiative and developing a vision of the Grange as a new jazz venue.
Given that jazz tends to have a small, but loyal following, Clark said, "Jazz musicians really have to be proactive in preserving and promoting an appreciation of jazz as a unique American art form."
In addition to Clark and Coogan, the quintet is rounded out by drummer Jim Royle of Monroe, bass player John Mobilio of Watertown and Rex Denton of Madison, who plays trumpet.
Saturday's concert will be a mix of original works and standards, such as selections from Cole Porter, Wilton resident Dave Brubeck and George Gershwin. The group also plans on creating medleys inspired by audience requests -- an improvisational technique that was a hit when the band played recently at First Night Westport/Weston.
"We are making it up on the fly; making arrangements on the spot. People love it," Royle said. "We want to bring them in and feel a part of the music."
Given jazz's broad swath of styles, from standard to swing, Dixieland to gospel, funk to fusion, Royle, who grew up in Stamford, said it is a genre that can appeal to many.
One of its hallmarks is the improvisation, as musicians play off of one another, swooping and looping through the music and having fun as they bend rhythms this way and that. Coogan said the audience is invited to come along for the ride, sometimes as unsure as of where the music is headed as the musicians themselves.
"There is this notion that music has to be serious," Coogan said. "But I think it can be quite clever, very funny and entertaining."
Coogan hopes the series takes off, given there are few area venues devoted to live jazz. He said in addition to the quintet, he plans to bring in more musicians.
"This will be a fun, lively event," Coogan noted in a recent release. "We will definitely bring the audience into the spirit of the music."
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