The samplesled by Norwalk’s Sean Kelly, bring their mix of reggae-influenced rock to the historic Wall Street Theater on March 25and to benefit the Darien Arts Center. Local favorite and Darien native, Walleropens at 8 p.m.
Best known for his high tenor, unique guitar playing and songwriting (“Nature”, “Feel Us Shaking”, “Did You Ever Look So Nice”) rock, reggae and folk singer/songwriter Sean Kelly was born on February 7 1965 in Norwalk, Connecticut. The son of a World War II veteran and a mother who worked in construction to put food on the table, Kelly grew up in Vermont. While only studying for a year in high school, he started playing guitar and composing his own songs. After moving to Colorado in 1987 to start a band, Kelly became a fixture on local club scenes as the frontman of The samplesplaying original songs with a variety of rock, reggae and folk.
The samples have shared the stage with big names such as The Allman Brothers Group, blues travelerand Phishing in the early to mid-1990s. Many up-and-coming bands opened up to them on their own tours, including the Dave Matthews Band, Hootie and the puffer fishand Lisa Loeb. Their music has been described as a cross between The police and the Grateful Dead and their success has included television performances on The show tonight and House of Blues. In addition to releasing several albums, Kelly’s songs have been featured in Benefits of being a wallflowerand more recently on TV Younger and in advertisements for MSNBC’s midterm election coverage.
Wallera popular group of kindred spirits is led by James “Waller” Crafford, who was born and raised in Darien and is an alumna of Darien High School’s class of 2016. In addition to being a finalist in DAC’s Darien has talent, Crawford, a multi-talented singer-songwriter, plays multiple instruments and writes, composes and produces his own music. The group Waller facilitates an atmosphere where love is palpable and pleasure is guaranteed. His sound is characterized by raw expressive vocals and vintage guitar tones. This beloved band is high on life and knows how to rock and roll, leaving the audience with nothing to do but smile.
The Wall Street Theatre, a newly renovated venue in the heart of historic Wall Street in Norwalk, opened in 1915 as Regent and has played host to many important performers, including John Phillip Sousa and John Barrymore. For most of the 1990s, the theatre, renamed The Globe, hosted many national artists, including David Lee Roth, The Go-Gos and Wayne Jennings. In 1999 it morphed into The Roxy, a dance club, and now a non-profit organization, The Wall Street Theater embraces its mission from its history, combining live performances, interactive entertainment, film, digital production, art space and a community arena.
Proceeds from the concert benefit the Darien Arts Center, the local non-profit organization dedicated to educating, promoting and providing artistic expression in dance, music, visual arts and theater for all ages from the community. General admission and tiered tickets cost between $35 and $80 and are available on eventbrite. Doors open at 7 p.m. for the 18+ event at the Wall Street Theater located at 71 Wall Street in Norwalk. For more information, visit darienarts.org or call the CAD office at (203) 655-8683.
