by Ken Laster This summer, my wife and I made a life altering decision to move cross-country to be near our granddaughter and family. We sold most of our belongings; home, cars, furniture, etc, packed just a few essentials and moved to San Diego to start anew. Selling my stereo system, all my CD's and [...]
A recently found article from the Hartford Courant, tells the story of the founding the the Hartford Jazz Society. Beautifully written by Herbert J. Stoeckel, this piece of Hartford history recounts the very beginnings of what was to become the jazz scene in our city. Excerpts: It was a balmy, fragrant midsummer night in 1961... [...]
The Hartford Jazz Society is proud to present our 60th Anniversary Concert and Fundraiser, Friday November 13th, 7pm on HJS Facebook Live. Our special guest is trombonist/seashellist Steve Turre. Mr Turre will be leading an all-star sextet with: Orion Turre, drums; Wallace Roney Jr., trumpet; Emilio Modeste, tenor saxophone; Isaiah Thompson, piano; and Corcoran Holt, acoustic [...]
After the success of our virtual Paul Brown Monday Night Jazz (PMMNJ) concert series, we are proud to continue our virtual Monday Night Jazz concerts on a monthly basis through the rest of 2020. Schedule of Events September 14 - Dan Liparini Quartet October 12 - Warren Byrd and Saskia Laroo November 13 - Special [...]
Hartford/Netherlands pianist Warren Byrd re-releases rare CD from 1999, “Truth Raised Twice”... **PRESS RELEASE** May 6, 2020 A one-hundred percent American underground post-bebop CD fielded a modest release in America 20 years ago. The album was performed by a group of like-minded musicians led by Hartford, CT. USA-born pianist/composer Warren Byrd. The CD, “Truth Raised [...]
Mike Casey is a Hartford trained, New York based saxophonist. He attended the Greater Hartford Academy of the Arts and University of Hartford’s Jackie McLean Institute of Jazz (BA). He then completed Berklee’s master’s program in Contemporary Performance and Music Production at their Valencia, Spain campus. "On Monday May 4 to celebrate International Star Wars Day [...]
Connecticut Office of the Arts announces grants available for Connecticut artists impacted by pandemic ** MAY 4 DEADLINE TO APPLY ** Recognizing that artists provide inspiration, connection, and education, particularly at times when the creative sector is needed most, the Connecticut Office of the Arts – a state office housed within the Department of Economic [...]
For nearly 50 years, Ed Krech owned and operated this record and CD store in Wethersfield, CT. But this was much more than a place to peruse and purchase the latest jazz CD's. Ed Krech provided a venue for young musicians to showcase their craft and gain experience performing in front of dedicated and knowledgeable [...]
by Ken Laster There has always been a special bond between photography and jazz. Black and white images of Miles and Trane, iconic album covers and classic photographs taken in NYC clubs, are as connected to the jazz idiom as is the music itself. Even today photographers are a prominent part of the Hartford Jazz [...]
by Ken Laster Miles Davis is undoubtably one of the most influential artists in the history of the jazz idiom. He is also among the most revered, respected as well as criticized and controversial players in jazz. So, when any new media is released regarding the life and music of Miles, it is always met [...]