by Ken Laster In 1967, bassist Paul Brown brought world famous musicians to downtown Hartford for free concerts during July and August. Monday nights were ideal to book these artists, because gigs in NYC were sparse on that day of the week. For the first concert, saxophonist Cannonball Adderley performed on Barbour Street. "PB" had [...]
by Ken Laster During this COVID-19 isolation, I must have way too much time on my hands. I have been obsessed with DIY facemasks. Since I don't sew, either with a machine or by hand (despite actually trying), I spent way too much time watching YouTube in search of the best "no-sew" face covers. After [...]
by Ken Laster Click to enlarge The 52nd consecutive year of Paul Brown Monday Night Jazz wrapped up with some adventurous free jazz from the OGJB Quartet. The avant garde sounds emanating from the pavillion came from the venerable masters Lake, Haynes, Fonda and Altschul. They thrilled thousands in attendance for this finale [...]
by Ken Laster You couldn't ask for a more perfect night to start the 52nd consecutive year of the Paul Brown Monday Night Jazz series. As the crowds gathered at 6:00 PM, the sky was clear, temperatures were comfortable and the anticipation was growing for this return to Hartford of a couple of the most beloved [...]
The Sara Hanahan Quintet opened up the finale concert of the Paul Brown Monday Night Jazz Series of 2018. Recorded August 13 from the WWUH radio simulcast on a rainy evening. Harvey Jassem and Ken Laster provide the on-air commentary and post concert interview. Sarah Hanahan Quintet: Sarah Hanahan - Alto Sax Nat Reeves - [...]
by Ken Laster photos by Maurice D. Robertson Make no mistake, there were clouds (and heavy rain) the evening of the 2018 Paul Brown Monday Night Jazz (PBMNJ) finale concert. But as I learned as a child, for every cloud there is a silver lining. That "Silver Lining" prevailed the evening of August 13 in [...]
by Ken Laster - WWUH I had the opportunity to speak with pianist Helen Sung following her set at the Newport Jazz Festival. We spoke about her performance (a Tap/Piano duet), her classical influences and an upcoming performance at Hartford Jazz Society's Paul Brown Monday Night Jazz Series. All this in less than 3 1/2 [...]
Monday July 9 was the opening night for the Paul Brown Monday Night Jazz Series. You could not ask for a more perfect evening. It was a gorgeous summer evening in beautiful Bushnell Park. The crowd was large and attentive throughout the nearly 4 hour night of music. As is the tradition, friends and families [...]
by Lisa Chase The final evening of Monday Night Jazz’s six-week series showcased the genre’s almost limitless variety and its continuous reinvention. Saxophonist Allen Lowe and his quartet started off with a series of original compositions showcasing Aaron Johnson on clarinet, Louis Porter at the piano, Kevin Ray plucking the bass and drummer Ben Bilello. [...]
Asylum Hill Congregational church could not contain the joyful music of Monday Night Jazz in its rainy-day setting. For opening act Matt and Atla DeChamplain, the church was the ideal acoustic venue for Atla’s soaring vocals, set off by Matt DeChamplain at the piano, Matt Dwonszyk on bass, tenor saxophonist Jovan Alexandre and drummer Curtis [...]