Jim Perry Big Band featuring Dick Wells to perform in final free concert of the season at Railroad Green

WARWICK — On Sunday, Sept. 9., the final free summer concert series at Railroad Green will feature a performance by the Jim Perry Big Band and Dick Wells from 3 to 5 p.m.
That date also happens to be the 10th anniversary of the first performance by Dick Wells at what was then the new Village Park on Railroad Avenue.
Wells, who is well known locally as a radio personality on WTBQ (1110 AM/99.1 FM), is a longtime professional singer who has performed on Las Vegas stages with Frank Sinatra and Sammy Davis Jr.
In addition to singing with the Harry James orchestra, Wells sang with the Sammy Kaye orchestra and has also appeared on the Johnny Carson Tonight Show.
All of the band arrangements are the work of retired Sgt. Major Jim Perry, former group leader and lead alto saxophonist with the United States Military Academy Band Jazz Knights at West Point.
Many of the musicians with the Jim Perry Band are veteran performers who appeared with famous band leaders and entertainers like Benny Goodman, Gene Krupa, Lionel Hampton, Bob Crosby and Paul Simon.
Visitors can relax on the grass at Railroad Green or enjoy refreshments and seating at one of the nearby outdoor restaurants. Bring chairs or blankets.

Don’t put up a parking lot

During the concert a special tribute will be paid to former Warwick Advertiser publisher Ed Klein, who in the 1960s, raised public awareness to save the park.
Klein learned that village officials were planning to turn the current site of Railroad Green, into a parking lot. In response he printed a front-page article in the Warwick Advertiser that caught everyone’s attention and stopped the plan.
Ten years ago, however, all concerts were still held at Stanley-Deming Park.
Wells was not on the schedule and the final concert had already been held. But at the suggestion of Leo Kaytes, chairman of Leo Kaytes Ford, and with his financial assistance along with that of other sponsors, Mayor Michael Newhard approved a request to hold another concert featuring Wells and the big band at the new Railroad Green.
Since that time former Village Trustee Bill Iurato, who had been charged with overseeing the development of Railroad Green, continues to organize the free concert series in the park that residents enjoy today.
“On behalf of the Klein family, I want to thank the Village and Town of Warwick for commemorating my late father, Ed Klein’s contributions to saving the Railroad Green, “ said his daughter Pip Klein. “Thank you to all involved, and especially to Dick Wells, for dedicating this concert to his memory. I hope friends and new Warwickians alike will gather to enjoy great music and a chance to remember my dad.”