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ART TALKS
THE CONNECTION
by Donna Torres
Big Band. Full circle we had come, following our means of expression, worlds colliding so to speak, renewing an old acquaintance, catching up on old times and talking about new projects. Some friendships are never meant to go away completely.
Dick StocksI walked into the breakfast shop on a snowy February Cape Cod morn. White fluff covered the wheat colored marsh stems peaking their heads through its covetous blanket feathering a wind blown needlepoint design. Two morning doves twittered on a naked branch and Dick Stocks, dressed in “snow wear”, a burly black sweater, faded jeans and outdoor boots, sat across my table. I met Stocks years ago when we had an occasion to work together in radio. At that time I was selling radio ads, as was he, and we both knew it was something we couldn’t do very long. What I remember most about Stocks is that he wanted to make every ad about the music rather than the message. He was and is a musician. But like most musicians he had to do something else until he realized his path, passion, and life needed to be devoted to his music. That realization didn’t take too long and he was gone on his journey. I never thought I would see Stocks again, other than in a drive-by or a bump-in, as we all do on the Cape. But, here we were, me interviewing him as a full-time faculty member at the Academy of Performing Arts and “the student leader” as he’s affectionately called by his band mates in his Ironically, friendship is how “The Connection”, Stocks’ Big Band came to be. In 1986, Dick and his wife Sherry, both who originally hail from Connecticut, made their pilgrimage over the bridge to visit their families at Christmas. Whilst in the old neighborhood, they took advantage of the opportunity and dropped in on some old friends of theirs, some dating back to grammar school. In conversation, they found out what this one was doing and what that one was doing and decided to have a reunion of sorts at a friend’s house. Dick thought, “Wouldn’t it be fun if the guys brought their instruments and we had a jam session.” They came with instruments in tow, talking, singing, playing, laughing and linking the past to the present. It became a bi-annual event. Then, at one jam session a studio musician friend of theirs made the trip east and asked them to do a gig for charity. Happily, “The Connecticut Connection” (as they originally called themselves in jest because 10 of the 11 members came from Connecticut), obliged. “The Connection” was born.
A public dance was planned. The members of this newly formed assemblage contributed personal monies to rent the hall, print the tickets and create the advertising. In two days, the tickets sold out, and after expenses, all proceeds were donated to charity. In the 12 years they have played publicly, “The Connection” raised thousands of dollars for playgrounds, the Genesis Foundation, Ovarian Cancer Survivor and Research Groups and Scholarships for students interested in the performing Arts.
“The Connection” is not a Big Band in the traditional Tommy Dorsey sense. Their repertoire spans from doo-op to Steely Dan. They have a Blues Brothers Show and an Elvis Show. Devoted to each other, “The Connection” primarily plays to enjoy “each other’s company and do positive things for kids.” “The Connection” in essence, is doing for kids of today what they did for themselves years ago, and that is helping them form lifelong bonds that bring joy and meaning to their lives.
Become a part of “The Connection” and go to their next charity dance held for “The Academy of Performing Arts Scholarship Fund” to provide aspiring young artists in music, dance and voice. The dance will be held at Christine’s Restaurant, March 24th, in Dennis. For ticket information contact:
The Academy School: 508-255-5510.
Come, dance and support the kids because some connections are never meant to be broken.
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