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By Stephen Press
Hometown Weekly Staff
Needhamites fidgeted in their lawn chairs, making themselves comfortable in the afternoon sun. Meanwhile, the Memorial Park gazebo was bustling with instrument-toting individuals in neat white shirts. It’s a scene that has greeted the town every summer for years.
“The Nutile Band, run either by my father, Roy, or by me, has opened the Needham Arts in the Park series every year since 1975,” said Tom Nutile, leader of the Tom Nutile Big Band and a Needham native. This year was no different from any other as Nutile and his 15-piece orchestra wowed the crowd, kicking off the town’s summer concert season with vim and vigor.
There were, of course, some recurring themes that would have felt in place at any of the Nutile Band’s concerts on the gazebo over the years. For one, the cast of characters had a number of familiar faces. “[Needham’s] my hometown, and I always get surprised by an old friend or two when I perform at the Arts in the Parks series,” said Nutile of his audience. “We draw a good crowd of Needhamites who enjoy hearing the music that we play.”
Perhaps most significantly among the recurring figures, Tom was quick to point out, was the person who’d brought him there. “Louise Condon of Louise Condon Realty has sponsored most, or probably all, of those concerts,” he said. “Thanks so much, Louise!”
He was also very liberal with his praise for the Needham Parks and Rec staff. “The hard-working, very professional staff of the Needham Parks and Recreation Department,” he said, “make every concert a pleasure. They deserve a lot of credit for making this series happen.”
In many ways, the tenor of the evening seemed a perfect reflection of Needham itself. On one hand, there was ample reverence for the past, most notably in the music.
“We play music from my father’s generation,” remarked Nutile, “which is the music I grew up hearing around the house, along with classic rock and modern jazz from my era.”
On the other hand, there was a very comfortable embrace of the present on display, too, as the band added some modern flair to their vintage vibe. “I try to mix in swing classics with more current fare,” said Nutile. “Everything from “Under the Boardwalk” and “Brown-Eyed Girl” from the 50s and 60s, to tunes such as “Uptown Funk” and “Happy” from the last few years.”
Another distinctly modern wrinkle? Local high school chanteuse Deirdre Pedersen joined the band for part of its set, thoroughly delighting the crowd with her poise and pipes.
“Deirdre Pedersen is fantastic. She is a rising star, and you will definitely be hearing more about her in the years to come,” gushed Nutile about his youthful collaborator. “Deirdre has a natural music sense – she knows how to put across a song, and she knows how to work with a large ensemble like The Tom Nutile Big Band, which has 15 musicians. She has a strong voice, and she knows how to emote musically … Deirdre Pedersen is a professional and we feel fortunate to have had her sing with us.”
All in all, there was something for everyone, it seemed, at this year’s Arts in the Park opening. The fun will continue tonight (July 14) at 7 p.m. with Classic Groove. They will be followed on July 21 by the Needham Community Band.
