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Local Man’s ‘Blue Avenue Groove’ to Play at GTP

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The Bruce Avenue Group will perform at the 2016 Greenwich Town Party (Contributed Photo)
The Bruce Avenue Group will perform at the 2016 Greenwich Town Party (Contributed Photo)

For Will Kencel and his band The Blue Avenue Groove, Saturday’s Greenwich Town Party will be a homecoming of sorts when they play on the town stage, opening for Tedeschi Trucks Band.

In the sixth annual Greenwich Town Party, Kencel’s group was chosen out of numerous local musical acts that auditioned to be a part of the lineup for Saturday’s event, and the longtime Greenwich resident says the stage has never been bigger for him.

The 12-hour event will feature music, food vendors and a sense of community at Roger Sherman Baldwin Park.

“The Greenwich Town Party is an event I’ve been going to for years now,” Kencel, 25, said. “I would get to go with my dad a lot. This year, I’m inviting him to come up to the stage for one of the songs to play and sing, because he plays in a cover band in Greenwich.”

Growing up in Greenwich for most of his life, which included his elementary school years at North Street School, Kencel says his passion for music has stayed the course with him and eventually brought him to the soul scene in Brooklyn. There, he met and connected with many talented artists, which led to a melding of soul and funk sounds.

“When I graduated, I thought to myself about how I was going to make this whole music thing work,” Kencel said. “I had a lot of friends who were trying to make music and I said, ‘We have a lot of great musicians in the scene’.”

Kencel, a professional bassist, says his band is no ordinary cover band.

Set to take the town stage at 3:15 p.m. on Saturday, The Blue Avenue Groove will feature Elise Testone, a former American Idol finalist, as part of the set.

“Elise has done some great original music along with being on American Idol,” Kencel said. “Our sound is going to be soulful and kind of funky for the town party.”

In attendance for the first GTP event, Kencel has always been always impressed with the music selection at the party, as well as the different genres offered.

“I like the mix of new and old music,” Kencel said. “I remember the year Buddy Guy was playing, and so was Dr. Dog. It’s a great mix.”

Having performed at the Metropolitan Museum of Art, the J House in Greenwich and many other local spots in Brooklyn, Kencel says the excitement of Saturday’s town party will be a new high for him.

“We’re super excited to open up for Tedeschi Trucks Band,” Kencel said. “It’s going to be very exciting, but I’ll also be very nervous. It’s one of the biggest stages I’ve played on.

For a full lineup of musical acts, visit GreenwichTownParty.Org.

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