Hartford Jazz Society

Javon Jackson Band
2025-10-25 20:00 - 22:30, 2025-10-24 20:00 - 22:30 (America/New_York) | Side Door Jazz Club, 85 Lyme Street, Old Lyme, CT, United States
Javon Jackson – Tenor Saxophone
Jeremy Manasia – Piano
David Williams – Bass
McClenty Hunter – Drums
Born on June 16, 1965, in Carthage, Missouri, Javon Jackson was raised in Denver, Colorado and chose saxophone at the age of 10. At age 16 he switched from alto to tenor and later enrolled at the University of Denver before spending part of 1985–86 at the Berklee College of Music in Boston. He left Berklee in 1986 to join Art Blakey’s Jazz Messengers, where he later played alongside pianist Benny Green, trumpeter Philip Harper, trombonist Robin Eubanks and bassist Peter Washington. Jackson remained a fixture in the Jazz Messengers until Blakey’s passing in 1990.
In 1991, Jackson made his recording debut with Me and Mr. Jones, featuring James Williams, Christian McBride, and master drummer Elvin Jones. He joined Jones’ group in 1992, appearing on the great drummer’s albums Youngblood and Going Home. Jackson’s 1994 Blue Note debut, When the Time Is Right, was a straight-ahead affair produced by iconic jazz vocalist and bandleader Betty Carter. His subsequent four recordings for the Blue Note label through the ‘90s were produced by Craig Street and featured wildly eclectic programs ranging from Caetano Veloso, Frank Zappa and Santana to Muddy Waters, Al Green and Serge Gainsbourg. His subsequent four recordings for the Palmetto label had him exploring a blend of funk, jazz and soul with such stellar sidemen as organist Dr. Lonnie Smith, guitarists Mark Whitfield and David Gilmore, trombonist Fred Wesley and drummer Lenny White. In 2009, Javon was commissioned by the Syracuse International Film Festival to compose a full-length score for the Alfred Hitchcock film, “The Lodger,” a silent movie based on the hunt for Jack the Ripper. The original score had its debut at the festival, performed live by Jackson’s band (featuring pianist Manasia) at the film’s screening in October 2010.
In 2012, the saxophonist released a potent tribute to a towering influence, Celebrating John Coltrane, his inaugural release on his Solid Jackson Records which featured the venerable drummer and former Coltrane collaborator Jimmy Cobb. He followed later in 2012 with Lucky 13, which featured the great soul-jazz keyboardist Les McCann and included a mellow instrumental rendition of Stevie Wonder’s “Don’t You Worry ‘Bout a Thing” along with a version of McCann’s 1969 hit, “Compared to What.” That same remarkably productive year, Jackson was the recipient of the prestigious Benny Golson Award from Howard University in Washington, D.C. for recognition of excellence in jazz. Jackson’s debut on the Smoke Sessions label, 2014’s Expression, was a live quartet recording from the Smoke Jazz & Supper Club in Upper Manhattan. On February 18, 2022, Javon will release, The Gospel According to Nikki Giovanni, his fifth album for his Solid Jackson Records label.
Jackson finished and received his undergraduate degree from the Berklee College of Music and obtained a master’s degree from the State University of New York at Purchase, where he also taught. In 2013, he accepted the position of Professor of Jazz Saxophone; Director of the Jackie McLean Institute of Jazz Studies at the University of Hartford’s Hartt School of Music, Theatre and Dance.

Bob Ahern Quartet
2025-10-25 18:00 - 21:00 | Lighthouse Inn, 6 Guthrie Pl, New London, CT
The Bob Ahern Quartet featuring Jazz drummer Bob Ahern will be performing the last Saturday of every month for 2025 at the legendary Lighthouse Inn in New London. Each month, Bob features a different Jazz celebrity. Great jazz venue and restaurant.

Thread City Jazz Trio
2025-10-24 19:30 - 21:30 | Eastern CT State University – Fine Arts Instructional Center, 83 Windham Street, Willimantic, CT
Please join the Thread City Jazz Trio (Anthony Cornicello, piano; Rick O’Neal, bass; Matt Bronson, drums) and special guest Steve Ohm, guitar as they perform jazz classics, original material, and some surprises from the popular music repertoire. This is a live recording session, so the seating is limited. Reservations are strongly suggested. Tickets to this performance are FREE but limited

Black Eyed Sally’s Jazz Jam - Mentorship Series led by Haneef Nelson
2025-10-22 19:00 - 22:00 | Black-eyed Sally’s Southern Kitchen & Bar, 350 Asylum St., Hartford, CT, 06103
Located in downtown Hartford, for the aficionado, musician, or the curious first-timer, Black Eyed Sally’s Jazz Jams are the best taste of live jazz in Hartford. Set in the southern juke joint atmosphere of Black-eyed Sally’s, these jam sessions will strike a chord as you hear what our local talent has to offer, with regular special appearances by big city jazz names. Experience the cool original music of the jam session while you enjoy the hot fierce cookin’ of Hartford’s favorite BBQ joint.
After a long hiatus due to the pandemic, regularly scheduled jazz jams have returned to Black Eyed Sally’s every Wednesday. There will be a featured jazz ensemble followed by an open jam session. Bring your axe and be ready to jam!
The music begins at 7:00 PM, jam session begins after 1st set. No cover charge most nights, under 21’s welcome.
Presented by the Hartford Jazz Society and Neefjazz Entertainment

Allen Lowe & The All-Stars
2025-10-22 19:00 - 21:00 | Best Video Film and Cultural Center, 1842 Whitney Ave, Hamden, CT

Steve Dyer Quartet - Freedom Melody
2025-10-20 19:30 - 21:30 | Community Music School of Springfield, 127 State St., Springfield, MA
Steve Dyer (saxophones), Aaron Rimbui (piano), tba (bass), tba (drums)
“Steve Dyer …is a visionary, a pioneer and a symbol of a new Africa.” -Vasco Zama Ndebele, Cue magazine
Steve Dyer believes that no single culture owns the monopoly on human wisdom. Every human life born into whatever culture, ethnicity or spiritual belief system has the same value.
Steve was born in Pietermaritzburg, South Africa in 1960. His parents listened consistently to music of the Western classical masters. He also remembers maskandi musicians walking the streets as they played their guitars, and the Soul Brothers and kwela” playing on the radio. He began composing music at the age of 10. Steve completed a B Mus degree in performance at the University of Natal in 1981, majoring in saxophone and flute. Refusing military conscription into the SADF he left South Africa and lived in Botswana for 5 years. Here he came into contact with the exile sounds blowing through the horns of Hugh Masekela and Jonas Gwangwa. He helped form Shakawe” led by Jonas Gwangwa and played in the band for 3 years, where he immersed himself in the mbaqanga music tradition. At this time Steve also listened to saxophonists such as John Coltrane and Winston Mankunku. In 1988 after a stint in the U.K. he settled in Zimbabwe where he formed the group Southern Freeway. Two albums were produced; Southern Freeway (1989) and Indlelayenkululeko (1992). Steve came into contact here with the more introspective and often rhythmically complex mbira based Shona music, as well as reliving some Nguni based music playing with musicians that had Ndebele cultural roots.
In 1990 he joined the Amandla cultural ensemble of the A.N.C on a 7 week tour of Japan. With democracy on the horizon in 1993 Steve returned to South Africa. After studying briefly at the University of Natal, he relocated to Johannesburg and directed the Soweto String quartet live performance that toured Europe and Australia/New Zealand.
He conceptualised, directed and performed with the first ever substantive Southern African music collaboration Mahube” in 1997. Mahube toured Southern Africa and Europe and recorded recorded 2 albums: Music from Southern Africa 1998 (SAMA nomination), Qhubeka 2003 (Kora award)). Steve went on to produce 6 Oliver Mtukudzi albums between 1998 and 2002 including the seminal “Tuku music”.
He has released 8 solo albums since his return to S.A: Down South in Africa – 2000, Son of the Soil – 2004, Lifecycle 2006 (SAMA nomination) Native Art 2007 (SAMA nomination), IAP (U.S.A.) finalist), Ubuntu music 2012 (SAMA nomination), Confluence 2014 and Genesis of a Different World – 2019 (SAMA, Mzansi jazz nominations), Revision 2021 (SAMA nomination) and Enhlizweni – song stories from my heartland (SAMA Award winner – Best Jazz Album of the year). Steve has also composed and performed for feature film and TV soundtrack, for modern dance companies Moving into Dance and Tumbuka, as well as conceptualising and directing numerous shows and collaborations, and conducting improvising/music workshops.
In 2010 he composed and performed Rebirth, a first African concerto for soprano saxophone, orchestra with saxophones, African percussion and marimbas. Rebirth premiered in Johannesburg on 1st May 2010 with an 118-piece Miagi youth orchestra.
In April 2014 Steve was musical director for the opening show at HIFA (Harare international festival of the arts). He conceptualised, directed and performed in a groundbreaking multimedia work called Colour Me Human” – a new world musical” that premiered at Soweto theatre in May. The production also did a run at the Jo’burg theatre from 12th to 30th November. Colour Me Human was nominated for 5 Naledi theatre awards: Best ensemble, music score, music director, choreographer, animation/AV.
Steve’s latest solo album – “Revision” also nominated for a SAMA award was released in September 2021. In April and May 2023 Steve toured the west and east coasts of the U.S.A. with Bokani Dyer in a series of duo concerts called Dyer-logue. He also performed at Dizzy’s Jazz club in New York with a 6-piece band performing the “Genesis of a different world” repertoire. In 2024 Dyertribe (co-led by Steve & Bokani Dyer) performed at a series of festivals in the US, including Unity Festival, NYC, and Yerba Buena Gardens Festival, San Francisco, California.
In June 2024 his large-scale project, Visions of Ubuntu, was performed by an 8-piece band and a 40-strong Young People’s Chorus of New York City as part of the Summer for the City festival at Lincoln Center, NY. The project is presented in September 2025 at Joy of Jazz Festival, Johannesburg, South Africa. Steve Dyer’s next project, Freedom Melody, co-commissioned by Lincoln Center, will be performed at the Center in October 2025. Steve releases his 11th album as a leader entitled Multipolar in October 2025 on Ropeadope.

Dr. G’s Jazz Brunch
2025-10-19 12:00 - 15:00 | Quattro’s Italian Restaurant & Wine Bar, 14 Water Street, Guilford, CT
Upcoming “special guests” for Dr. G’s Jazz Brunch held on the 1st, 3rd & 5th Sundays from 12pm (noon) until 3pm at Quattro’s Italian Restaurant:

1/19- Ben Bilello -bebop drummer
2/02- Naomi Wharry– jazz vocal & trombone
2/16- Billy Cofrances– alto saxophone
3/02- Giacomo Gates-world renown jazz vocalist
3/16- Harvey Martin– trombone
4/06- John Brasile &- drums & vocals
Francesca
4/20- Michael Rabinowitz– jazz bassoon
5/04- Valerie Rogers– vocals
5/18- Tom Boates– trombone

All events will also include jazz masters Jeff Fuller on bass and Barry Ries on drums &/or trumpet. “Dr. G” will provide guitar accompaniment.

Alexander Claffy Quintet "The Music of Cole Porter"
2025-10-18 20:00 - 22:30 | Side Door Jazz Club, 85 Lyme Street, Old Lyme, CT, United States
Eric Alexander – Saxophone
Matthew Rotker Lynn – Guitar
Adam Birnbaum – Piano
Alexander Claffy – Bass
Adam Arruda – Drums
From birth, Alexander Claffy was raised in a musical household (his father is a pianist, his mother, a vocalist), and had many of his earliest lessons on bandstands in the heart of Philadelphia. As a teenager, Claffy was fortunate enough to find a mentor in many Philly natives, and has continued his study of the double bass with some of the world’s finest musicians, including Ron Carter, Dwayne Burno and Orin O’Brien. Since moving to New York City in 2011, he has had the honor of working with many of his living heroes, including Jimmy Cobb, Louis Hayes, Harold Mabern, Kurt Rosenwinkel, Christian Scott, Joey Alexander, Wallace Roney and many more. In the past 3 years he has recorded for the Verve, HighNote, Positone, RopeADope and LaReserve record labels.

Jonathan Barber & Vision Ahead
2025-10-17 20:00 - 22:30 | Side Door Jazz Club, 85 Lyme Street, Old Lyme, CT, United States
Jonathan Barber – Drums
Tony Davis – Guitar
Matt Knoegel – Saxophone
Cameron Campbell – Piano
Matt Dwonszyk – Bass
International Recorded artist, composer, educator and bandleader Jonathan Barber was voted the #1 Up-and-Coming Drummer of 2018 in Modern Drummer. Barber has already recorded and toured worldwide with such artists as Pat Metheny, Terence Blanchard, Christain McBride, Erykah Badu, Nicholas Payton, Buster Williams, Jimmy Greene, Jeremy Pelt, Wallace Roney, Terrace Martin, Gretchen Parlato, Jennifer Holiday, Steve Davis, J.D. Allen, Walter Smith III, The Brooklyn Philharmonic and many more.
In addition to his first-call status as a sideman, Barber has stepped forth as a composer and leader with his band Jonathan Barber & Vision Ahead. Even with Barber’s history of high-profile gigs and recordings taken into consideration, DownBeat magazine gave his latest album “Legacy Holder” 4.5 stars. Jonathan Barber & Vision Ahead is a powerful declaration of intent for a band that’s been making waves on the modern jazz scene. Barber’s blend of classic, swinging jazz with elements of gospel, rock, soul, and fusion is a compelling showcase of Barber’s broad stylistic range as a drummer, performer and composer. Jonathan Barber & Vision Ahead was featured and headline the Rainy Days Jazz Festival held in St. Petersburg and Moscow, Russia, Hartford Jazz Festival, Clifford Brown Jazz Festival, Pittsburgh Jazz Festival as well jazz venues around the world. Since 2020, Jonathan Barber & Vision Ahead have been completed three National tours across the United States.
Being an independent artist Jonathan Barber has released 5 albums with Vision Ahead: Vision Ahead (2018), Legacy Holder (2020), Live at Jazz Standard (which is exclusively on Bandcamp, 2020), Poetic (2022) and In Motion (2024).
Gearing up for their new album release “In Motion” Jonathan Barber & Vision Ahead will embark upon their first International Tour performing at Musig Im Pflegidach (Muri, Switzerland), Ronnie Scott’s (London, U.K.) and Duc Des Lombards (Paris, France).
Stepping into the role as a Drum Clinician, Barber toured as solo clinician in Latin America and China Barber and has been featured artist at PASIC convention.
Barber recently has been appointed as Jazz Drum Professor at the University of Connecticut.
“I recognize my God given gift. Maximizing this gift to its full potential is the best thing you can do for yourself. Operating in this gift is how you give back to the world.”

Jazz at Three Sheets
2025-10-17 18:00 - 21:00 | Three Sheets, 372 Elm Street, New Haven, CT
New England Jazz Underground presents jazz on the 1st and 3rd Friday every month.

Perfido / Humbert Duo
2025-10-16 19:30 - 21:30 | Ely Center of Contemporary Art, 51 Trumbull St, New Haven, CT
The Perfido / Humbert Duo is comprised of Dominique Humbert performing on alto & soprano saxophones & Peter Perfido on drums, gongs and some small percussion instruments. Our repertoire covers a fairly expansive musical palette that is multi-directional in concept. Influences range from tunes by some of the great modern jazz composers such as: Thelonious Monk, Charlie Parker, Wayne Shorter and Paul Motian. We also like to experiment with wide open improvised pieces, exploring areas as diverse as meditative / minimal atmospheres to African-inspired folk sounds. There are also more energetic, charged up excursions that come into play in our « terra incognito » explorations. We have a number of original pieces and a few compositions written by friends that are excellent composers. All this to say: we can cover a wide range of sounds in an exchange that is quite intimate between 2 instrumentalists who enjoy the challenge and sense of spaciousness in performing as a duo.

Black Eyed Sally’s Jazz Jam - Haneef Nelson Sextet
2025-10-15 19:00 - 22:00 | Black-eyed Sally’s Southern Kitchen & Bar, 350 Asylum St., Hartford, CT, 06103

Jazz at Cafe Nine
2025-10-14 19:00 - 21:00 | Cafe Nine, 250 State Street, New Haven, CT, 06510
Presented by New Haven Jazz Underground on the 2nd & 4th Tuesday every month.
