Instantiations, formerly known as Improvisations Now, is a monthly series of concerts conceived and programmed by Joe Morris (guitarist, bassist, improviser, composer-wearer of many hats). Joe invites dynamic, innovative musicians - important members of the global improvised music scene - and performs with them. The music is completely improvised. Every concert, every instance is a [...]

Civil Disobedience, created by New York bassist David Ambrosio, is a project that has been carefully crafted to showcase the compositions of progressive jazz maestros from the late 60s Blue Note Era, such as Bobby Hutcherson, Jackie McLean Stanley Cowell, Harold Land, Joe Chambers, Duke Pearson, and James Spaulding. Aside from leader Ambrosio, members of [...]

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 [...]

Jane Monheit is a jazz and adult contemporary vocalist with a deep passion for the Great American Songbook. With many highly acclaimed solo albums, countless awards and accolades, and over two decades of international touring experience, Jane has not only been an extremely successful bandleader, but has had the privilege of making music with some [...]

The Hartford Sound is a group of accomplished musicians with a repertoire filled with classic jazz, Latin jazz and original material that has been pleasing audiences for 10 years. The band formed in 2015 and debuted at Pittsburgh’s James Street Gastropub and Speakeasy. This group of accomplished musicians from Connecticut has a repertoire that is [...]

Join us for a special night of jazz with Pianist Brandon Goldberg and his Trio! Brandon Goldberg - Piano David Wong - Bass Aaron Kimmel - Drums Award-winning pianist and composer Brandon Goldberg has been playing piano and making music since he was three years old. Critics have praised his “unassailable technique, advanced harmonic understanding, [...]

Hear the earthy vocalist, Faye Green along with guitarist Michael Coppola, bassist Jeff Fuller and a drummer TBA

Snarky Puppy makes their return to the Jorgensen stage! The five-time Grammy® winning collective, “has always been a band that prioritizes the sound of the music,” says bandleader and bassist Michael League. Displaying a wide array of influences including funk, rhythm & blues, hard rock, classic soul, modern gospel, new tech, fusion and jazz, Snarky [...]

Join us for a special night of jazz with Vocalist Halie Loren and her Quartet! Halie Loren - Vocals John O'Leary - Piano Will Slater - Bass Rick Costa - Drums Halie Loren is an international, award-winning jazz singer/songwriter. She brings a fresh and original perspective to time-honored musical paths, channeling her innate understanding of [...]

Concerts will be held at HPL’s Downtown Library on Sunday afternoons at 3:00 p.m. from January through April, excluding Easter Sunday on April 5. Performances will take place in the Center for Contemporary Culture, 500 Main Street, Hartford. Doors open at 2:00 p.m., and each concert lasts about an hour. Concerts will be streamed on [...]

A native of Connecticut, Jimmy Greene is one of the most respected saxophonists of his generation. His most recent recording, As We Are Now, was released on July 25, 2025. His 2014 release, Beautiful Life (Mack Avenue), garnered two Grammy® Award nominations: one for Best Jazz Instrumental Album and one for Best Arrangement, Instruments and Vocals for Greene’s song “When I Come Home.” Greene has performed [...]

The Sean Nelson Jazz Orchestra returns to the Side Door as part of their monthly residency with Guest Vocalist Leala Cyr Saxes Erik Elligers Matt Parker Josh Thomas Lisa LaDone Trombones Sean Nelson Leroy Loomer Vince Yanovitch Wes Mayhew Trumpets Don Clough Seth Bailey Luke Wingfield Haneef Nelson Rhythm Earl MacDonald Gianni Gardner Lou Bocciarelli [...]

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 [...]

For Lee Ritenour, there aren’t many ‘firsts’ left to achieve. During his dazzling five-decade career, the fabled LA guitarist has taken his music to the outer limits, alighting on every genre and occupying every position in the rock ‘n’ roll firmament. He’s been an enfant terrible of ’70s fusion, a crossover star of the ’80s [...]