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Jazz News (JazzTimes) | Jazz News (AllAboutJazz.com) | Today's Jazz Birthdays | Jazz à la Mode The most precious gift we can offer anyone is our attention. - Thich Nhat Hanh I dwell in possibility. - Emily Dickinson This will be our reply to violence: to make music more intensely, more beautifully, more devotedly than ever before. - Leonard Bernstein March, 2017 Friday, March 17, 2017—6:30pm—FREE JOHN BRIGHENTI SOLO JAZZ PIANO Vito’s Wethersfield - 673 Silas Deane Hwy – Wethersfield 860-673-3333 Friday March 17, 2017 - Two Shows - 7pm & 9pm - $32 LOUISE BARANGER TRIO St Patrick’s Day Beer Tasting Hosted by Black Hog Brewery Palace Theater Poli Club - 100 East Main St – Waterbury 203-346-2000 www.PalaceTheaterCT.org Full Series Info : www.neaae.com What better way to spend St. Patrick’s Day than with an evening of jazz and beer tasting. Join the Louise Baranger Trio and a beer tasting hosted by Black Hog Brewery. The beer tasting is included in the ticket price. Born in Hollywood, Louise grew up in Irvine, CA, because her lawyer dad wanted to distance the family from the air pollution and rat race of LA. She and her husband, Fred Tregaskis, now reside in Connecticut. Louise has been on TV shows including Saturday Night Live and The Tonight Show with Johnny Carson, and in movies. She played on albums and videos with Joe Cocker and Bobby Womack, and backed up live performances by Dionne Warwick, Carol Lawrence, Joan Rivers and others. Louise was a soloist with the Cleveland Jazz Orchestra and at the Stars and Stripes Presidential Inaugural Ball in Washington, D.C. in 2005. She currently plays with the brass quintet, Revolutionary Brass, and perform a wine tasting and music show for fundraisers and other private events with her husband. Friday, March 17, 2017 – 7:30pm - $18 / $14 students POPS 'N JAZZ 2017 - BRISTOW MIDDLE SCHOOL JAZZ BAND, JOHN DAVERSA Hall High School Auditorium - 975 North Main Street - West Hartford The 59th annual Pops ’n Jazz features more than 100 student performers; the school's Concert Jazz Band, Jazz Band, Jazz Combo, Jazz Dancers, Choraliers (jazz singers) and I Giovani Solisti. The program, which varies slightly each night, offers an array of American jazz classics from all eras, performed in big band and combo settings, highly choreographed jazz productions, and featured solo performances. The show is known for its eclectic blend of music, ranging from traditional and progressive jazz to pop-rock and Broadway. This year the program will revolve around a New Orleans theme, featuring scenes and music from the Crescent City. Ticket Website: http://hallhighjazz.tix.com. Tickets are $18 for adults and $14 for students. Beginning February 22, 2017, tickets can be purchased in person at the Hall High box office and online. Box office hours will be Monday - Friday, 11 a.m. – 2:30 p.m., and Tuesday and Thursday evenings, 7-8:30 p.m. Like us on Facebook at pops ’n jazz. Follow us on Twitter @pop_jazz. For more information, please call the Pops 'n Jazz hotline at (860) 929-5151, or visit www.hallhighjazz.com. Friday, March 17, 2017 - 8 pm - $15 JOE FONDA & SATOKO FUJII The Buttonwood Tree Performing Arts and Cultural Center - 605 Main Street – Middletown - 860-347-4957 Intimate and mercurial, Duet features the adventurous musical exchange between two masters of their art. Pianist Fujii and bassist Fonda tap a rich vein of musical understanding in this collaboration showcasing a lifetime of experience and artistry. The woody sound, intense physicality, and percussive quality of Fonda’s bass contrasts beautifully with Fujii’s more flowing lines. When they add trumpeter Natsuki Tamura, the music grows richer and even more complex and layered. The group has released one recording, 2016’s Duet, which captured their second ever performance together. The rapport between them is magical and they seem to anticipate each other, sometimes spontaneously playing the same phrases at the same time, finishing each other’s thoughts, or concluding independent lines simultaneously. Tickets for all shows available at the door. Door and Cafe/Bookstore open half hour before performance time. Friday, March 17, 2017 – 8pm - $10 / $5 students (cash only) JACK WRIGHT / STEPHEN HAYNES / BEN STAPP / DAMON SMITH The Dirt Salon – 50 Bartholomew Avenue – Hartford 860-978-9345 Friday, March 17, 2017 - 8:30 pm ($20) and 10 pm ($15) STEPHAN CRUMP'S RHOMBAL Firehouse 12 - 45 Crown Street - New Haven This event takes place in the unusually intimate setting of the venue's acoustically engineered recording studio, which the New York Times' Nate Chinen has called "the pre-eminent spot for improvised music in the region.” Tickets can be purchased online at http://firehouse12.com or by phone at (203) 785-0468, or in person at the box office beginning at 7 pm. the night of the show (subject to availability). Friday, March 17, 2017 - 8:30pm (doors at 7:30) - $30 DAN PRATT QUARTET SideDoor Jazz Club - 85 Lyme Street - Lyme 860-434-2600 Saturday, March 18, 2017 – 3pm – FREE - donations to musicians encouraged JACK WRIGHT (sax) / PAUL FLAHERTY (sax) / MIKE YARRISH (bass) / RANDALL COLBOURNE (drums) Willimantic Records - 744 Main St. (Back Entrance) - Willimantic 860-450-7000 Jack Wright will perform one solo set followed by the group. Saturday, March 18, 2017—7pm—FREE JOHN BRIGHENTI WITH BASSIST ESDRAS LUBIN AND VOCALIST GAIL LUMPKIN Pazzo Café—377 Cromwell Ave.—Rocky Hill 860-721-8888 Saturday, March 18, 2017 – 7:30pm - $18 / $14 students POPS 'N JAZZ 2017 - KP SINGERS (KING PHILIP MS,) HALL JUNIOR ARTISTS (AIKEN AND NORFELDT) Hall High School Auditorium - 975 North Main Street - West Hartford The 59th annual Pops ’n Jazz features more than 100 student performers; the school's Concert Jazz Band, Jazz Band, Jazz Combo, Jazz Dancers, Choraliers (jazz singers) and I Giovani Solisti. The program, which varies slightly each night, offers an array of American jazz classics from all eras, performed in big band and combo settings, highly choreographed jazz productions, and featured solo performances. The show is known for its eclectic blend of music, ranging from traditional and progressive jazz to pop-rock and Broadway. This year the program will revolve around a New Orleans theme, featuring scenes and music from the Crescent City. Ticket Website: http://hallhighjazz.tix.com. Tickets are $18 for adults and $14 for students. Beginning February 22, 2017, tickets can be purchased in person at the Hall High box office and online. Box office hours will be Monday - Friday, 11 a.m. – 2:30 p.m., and Tuesday and Thursday evenings, 7-8:30 p.m. Like us on Facebook at pops ’n jazz. Follow us on Twitter @pop_jazz. For more information, please call the Pops 'n Jazz hotline at (860) 929-5151, or visit www.hallhighjazz.com. Saturday, March 18, 2017 - 8pm –$20 Advance Online / $25 Door / $10 students at door (with valid I.D.) GREG ABATE QUARTET - Greg Abate - Woodwinds; Matt DeChamplain - Piano; Nat Reeves - Bass; Ben Bilello - Drums Presented by the Eastern Connecticut Center for History, Art, and Performance (EC-CHAP) The Packing House - 156 River Road - Willington 518-791-9474 Greg Abate jazz saxophonist, flutist, composer continues as an International Jazz/Recording Artist with 225 days a year touring the globe. In the mid 70’s after finishing a four year program at Berklee College Of Music, Greg played lead alto for the Ray Charles Orchestra for 2 years. In 1978 Greg formed his group Channel One which was a favorite in the New England area and from there had the opportunity to play tenor sax with the revived Artie Shaw Orchestra under leadership of Dick Johnson from 1986 to ’87. Following this experience Greg ventured out as post hard bop soloist playing Jazz Festivals, Jazz Societies and Jazz Clubs throughout the U.S. Canada and abroad, including most of Europe, UK, and Moscow and Georgia Russia (Greg Abate). Greg’s newest release The Greg Abate Quintet features Phil Woods, Jesse Green, Evan Gregor and Bill Goodwin (Rhombus Records). Greg will be joined at The Packing House by Matt DeChamplain on piano, Josh Uguccioni on bass, Ben Bilello on drums. More info... Join us for a rare opportunity to hear these accomplished jazz musicians in an historic intimate setting! This concert is hosted by the "Eastern Connecticut Center for History, Art, and Performance" (EC-CHAP). Doors7:30pm / Show 8:00pm. Soft drinks and snacks available. "BYOB&F" - Bring Your Own Beverage & Food (Wine & Beer Only - I.D. Required). For information and table reservations, please call 518-791-9474. Tickets may be purchased here. Saturday, March 18, 2017 - 8:30pm (doors at 7:30) - $30 YVONNICK PRENE SideDoor Jazz Club - 85 Lyme Street - Lyme 860-434-2600 Sunday, March 19, 2017 - 3 pm - FREE THE O-TONES Baby Grand Jazz 2017 Hartford Public Library (Center for Contemporary Culture, main floor) - 500 Main Street – Hartford 860-695-6320 Sunday, March 19, 2017 - 3pm - FREE ALEX NAKHIMOVSKY, piano Avon Free Public Library - 281 Country Club Road – Avon Monday, March 20, 2017 - 7pm - $15 / $10 students DECHAMPLAIN TRIO with special guest STEVE DAVIS Gaylord Memorial Library - 47 College Street - South Hadley, MA - 413-538-5047 The first Music Mondays Cafe performance of 2017 at the Gaylord Memorial Library in South Hadley features yet another evening of great vocal jazz as The DeChamplain Trio (Atla & Matt DeChamplain - vocals and piano; Matt Dwonszyk - bass) headlines in March. Joining the trio for this performance is Steve Davis on Trombone. Doors open at 6:30, music starts at 7 pm. Tickets are available at the door (cash). Coffee and other refreshments included. More information is available here on Facebook. Monday, March 20, 2017 - 8 pm - 11 pm - FREE HARTFORD JAZZ JAM JOCELYN PLEASANT: Jocelyn Pleasant-drums; TBA Presented by the Hartford Jazz Society and Neefjazz Entertainment Black-eyed Sally's - 350 Asylum Street - Downtown Hartford Located in downtown Hartford, for the aficionado, musician, or the curious first-timer, Jazz Mondays is the best taste of live jazz in Hartford. Set in the southern juke joint atmosphere of Black-eyed Sally’s, Jazz Mondays 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. Jam session begins after 1st set. $5 cover once a month, under 21s welcome. Tuesday, March 21, 2017 – 8pm STEVE DAVIS & FRIENDS - Steve Davis, Josh Bruneau, Tony Davis, Matt Dwonzsyk, Corey Garcia Prospect Cafe - 345 Prospect Ave. - West Hartford 860-519-1048 Wednesday, March 22, 2017 - 7:30pm - FREE NEW LONDON BIG BAND Social Bar + Kitchen - 208 Bank Street - New London Led by trombonist Sean Nelson, the band is made up of the region’s finest jazz musicians. The band plays music from the libraries of Count Basie, Stan Kenton, and Maynard Ferguson, as well as compositions by bandleader Nelson and pianist and UConn professor Earl MacDonald Wednesday, March 22, 2017 – 7:30pm - FREE THE UCONN JAZZ ENSEMBLES WITH EJ STRICKLAND Masterclass at 6-7pm taught by EJ Strickland UConn West Hartford Campus - 1800 Asylum Ave - West Hartford Featuring performances by the UConn Jazz Ensemble, UConn Jazz Sextet and UConn Faculty Jazz Quintet (Doug Maher: guitar, John Mastroianni: alto sax, Earl MacDonald: piano, Gregg August: string bass) with Special Guest EJ Strickland. EJ Stickland is one of the most frequently recorded drummers of the 21st century, appearing on over 30 albums. Downbeat Magazine described his drumming as emitting "fields of cumulative energy, clouds of feather-touch and heavy-handed syncopations, latent with power like an oncoming storm." Friday, March 24, 2017 – 6pm - $15 ORICE JENKINS Artists Collective - 1200 Albany Avenue – Hartford 860-527-3205 Friday, March 24, 2017—6:30pm—FREE JOHN BRIGHENTI SOLO JAZZ PIANO Vito’s Wethersfield - 673 Silas Deane Hwy – Wethersfield 860-673-3333 Friday, March 24, 2017 - 8:30 pm ($20) and 10 pm ($15) JOE FIEDLER QUINTET Firehouse 12 - 45 Crown Street - New Haven This event takes place in the unusually intimate setting of the venue's acoustically engineered recording studio, which the New York Times' Nate Chinen has called "the pre-eminent spot for improvised music in the region.” Tickets can be purchased online at http://firehouse12.com or by phone at (203) 785-0468, or in person at the box office beginning at 7 pm. the night of the show (subject to availability). Friday, March 24, 2017 - 8:30pm (doors at 7:30) - $40 FRED HERSCH TRIO SideDoor Jazz Club - 85 Lyme Street - Lyme 860-434-2600 Saturday, March 25 2017 - Time TBA - $18 SWAN DAY CT SUPPORT WOMEN ARTISTS NOW 10 YEAR CELEBRATION - NICKI MATHIS' AFRIKAN AMERIKAN JAZZ w/Paul Arslanian-keyboard, Jim Daggs-bass, Joanne James-djimbe, Gwen Laster-violin, Maxine Martin-tenor sax, Jocelyn Pleasant-drums, Dotti Anita Taylor-flute, and more. Trinity on Main - 69 W. Main St. - New Britain Saturday, March 25, 2017 - 2 pm - FREE KARIM ROME QUARTET - Karim Rome-Tenor Sax, Mike Carabello-Piano, Leo Catricala-Bass, Corey Garcia-Drums Integrity N Music - 506 Silas Deane Highway (Rear) – Wethersfield 860-563-4005 Saturday, March 25, 2017 - 7:30pm - $15 AL FENTON BIG BAND New England Carousel Museum - 95 Riverside Avenue - Bristol Swing, dip, and jive your way into the new season at the Spring Fling featuring the 21 piece Al Fenton Big Band! Pre-paid tables of 8 or more may be reserved ahead of time. This is a BYOB event and snacks and set-ups will be available for purchase. Grab your saddle shoes and best vintage attire and come dance the night away! Saturday, March 25, 2017 – 8pm - $10 A MUSICAL WORK IN PROGRESS: BLACK, BROWN, AND BEIGE: YELLOW, TRANS, AND QUEER: MY COUNTRY ‘TIS OF THIS - COMPOSED BY ALLEN LOWE Best Video - 1842 Whitney Avenue - Hamden Performed by the Fake Music Ensemble with: Allen Lowe, alto saxophone; Herb Wilson, tenor saxophone; Rex Denton, trumpet; Kevin Ray, bass; Rob Landis, drums; Michael Coppola, guitar; Ben Bilello, drums, Vance Provey, trumpet, Chris Morrison, guitar. A suite based conceptually on Duke Ellington’s landmark composition Black, Brown, and Beige, celebrating our differences. Allen Lowe IS the tradition. He is one of the few musicians doing anything new today.” – Anthony Braxton. “Angular, sly, and funky, Allen Lowe’s work is a bona fide wake-up call from the avant-garde.” -Jonathan Lethem. "Allen Lowe is a genius! His work is always full of wonder, the excitement of discovery, and humor…the best work has always been done at the margins, by the so-called underground - Poe, Whitman, Monk, Harvey Pekar, Herbie Nichols, James Joyce, Sun Ra - but it's still a surprise and a revelation whenever you find it." -John Szwed Saturday, March 25, 2017 - 8:30pm (doors at 7:30) - $35 EXPANSIONS: DAVE LIEBMAN GROUP SideDoor Jazz Club - 85 Lyme Street - Lyme 860-434-2600 Sunday, March 26, 2017 - 1pm - $10 - $20 per show SOUTHERN NEW ENGLAND HIGH SCHOOL JAZZ FESTIVAL Infinity Hall Norfolk - Route 44 – Norfolk 866-666-6306 Infinity Hall Norfolk will host the Southern New England Jazz Fest again this year. Experience the amazing talent of New England’s youth during this event! The 30 minute performances will feature meticulously-practiced jazz ensembles performed by the jazz bands of six CT high schools, including Simsbury, Berlin, Farmington, Middletown, Torrington and Litchfield High Schools! Share this experience with a young musician and inspire them to perform to their full potential! Each show will feature two bands performing individual 30 minute sets: 1st Show: 1:00PM – Berlin High School | 1:45PM – Simsbury High School 2nd Show: 4:00PM – Middletown High School | 4:45PM – Farmington High School 3rd Show: 7:00PM – Torrington High School | 7:45PM – Litchfield High School Sunday, March 26, 2017 – 1:30pm - FREE NITA ZARIF Baby Grand Jazz 2017 Hartford Public Library (Center for Contemporary Culture, main floor) - 500 Main Street – Hartford 860-695-6320 Sunday, March 26, 2017 – 2pm - FREE NOAH BAERMAN TRIO WITH MATT WILSON Cheshire Public Library - 104 Main Street – Cheshire Sunday, March 26, 2017 - 3 pm - FREE EUGENE UMAN'S COVERGENCE PROJECT Baby Grand Jazz 2017 Hartford Public Library (Center for Contemporary Culture, main floor) - 500 Main Street – Hartford 860-695-6320 Sunday, March 26, 2017 - 5:30pm - FREE THE CASTLEFIELD TRIO - Sarah LeMieux-vocals and guitar, Joe Casillo-bass, Andy Chatfield - drums Millwright's Restaurant and Tavern - 77 West Street - Simsbury 860-651-5500 Enjoy inspired New England cuisine in a beautiful, historic setting as The Castlefield Trio makes their debut at Millwright´s Restaurant and Tavern, playing two sets from 5:30pm to 8pm. Sarah LeMieux’s quintet has won the “Best Jazz” category in the Connecticut Music Awards three years in a row (2016, 2015, 2014); while Andy Chatfield’s quartet “Stanley Maxwell” won the “Best Jazz Band” category in the Hartford Advocate’s "Grand Band Slam” three times (2010, 2009, 2007). The trio will be performing original songs by Sarah LeMieux, pop, jazz, and blues standards, and covers of tunes by Led Zeppelin, Fleetwood Mac, Freddie King, the Grateful Dead, Steely Dan, Bill Withers, Chris Isaak, Django Reinhardt, Édith Piaf, Elvis Presley, Etta James, Gary Wright, Jimi Hendrix, Lowell Fulson, Marvin Gaye, The Police, and Willie Nelson, among other artists. The sophisticated comfort food at Millwright´s Restaurant and Tavern is carefully crafted from locally-sourced ingredients. The Hop Brook Mill was built in 1680 and overlooks a sparkling pond and rushing waterfall. Partake in half-price bottles from their vast wine selection - the tavern offers myriad choices, both in varietals and prices. Monday, March 27, 2017 - 7:30pm - FREE JEFF HOLMES BIG BAND - FEATURING DAWNING HOLMES 121 Club (at Eastworks) - 116 East Pleasant St - Easthampton, MA Jeff Holmes Big Band plays leaders arrangements and compositions along with featured vocals by Dawning Holmes; Jazz, Soul, Blues, Pop and more performed by great musicians/music educators from MA, CT and NYC Monday, March 27, 2017 - 8 pm - 11 pm - FREE HARTFORD JAZZ JAM SARAH HANAHAN: Sarah Hanahan-alto sax; Nathan Serot-trumpet; Jeremey Galloway-guitar; Mike Carabello-piano; Nat Reeves-bass; Kirk Woodard-drums Presented by the Hartford Jazz Society and Neefjazz Entertainment Black-eyed Sally's - 350 Asylum Street - Downtown Hartford Located in downtown Hartford, for the aficionado, musician, or the curious first-timer, Jazz Mondays is the best taste of live jazz in Hartford. Set in the southern juke joint atmosphere of Black-eyed Sally’s, Jazz Mondays 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. Jam session begins after 1st set. $5 cover once a month, under 21s welcome. Monday, March 27, 2017 – 8pm – FREE MARY HALVORSON REVERSE BLUE - Mary Halvorson-guitar, Chris Speed-saxophone & clarinet, Eivind Opsvik,-bass, Tomas Fujiwara-drums Sweeney Concert Hall - Smith College - 122 Green Street - Northampton, MA One of improvised music’s most in-demand guitarists, Mary Halvorson has been active in New York since 2002, following jazz studies at Wesleyan University and the New School. Critics have called her “a singular talent” (Lloyd Sachs, JazzTimes), “NYC’s least-predictable improviser” (Howard Mandel, City Arts), “one of the most exciting and original guitarists in jazz—or otherwise” (Steve Dollar, Wall Street Journal), and “one of today’s most formidable bandleaders” (Francis Davis, Village Voice). The Philadelphia City Paper‘s Shaun Brady adds, “Halvorson has been steadily reshaping the sound of jazz guitar in recent years with her elastic, sometimes-fluid, sometimes-shredding, wholly unique style.” After three years of study with visionary composer and saxophonist Anthony Braxton, Halvorson became an active member of several of his bands, including his trio, septet and 12+1tet. To date, she appears on six of Mr. Braxton’s recordings. Halvorson has also performed alongside iconic guitarist Marc Ribot, in his bands Sun Ship and The Young Philadelphians, and with the bassist Trevor Dunn in his Trio-Convulsant. Over the past decade she has worked with such diverse bandleaders as Tim Berne, Taylor Ho Bynum, Ingrid Laubrock, Myra Melford, Jason Moran, Joe Morris, Tom Rainey and Mike Reed. As a bandleader and composer, one of Ms. Halvorson’s primary outlet is her longstanding trio, featuring bassist John Hébert and drummer Ches Smith. Since their 2008 debut album, Dragon’s Head, the band has been recognized as a rising star jazz band by Downbeat Magazine for five consecutive years. Ms. Halvorson’s quintet, which adds trumpeter Jonathan Finlayson and alto saxophonist Jon Irabagon to the trio, has released two critically acclaimed albums on the Firehouse 12 label: Saturn Sings and Bending Bridges. Most recently she has added two additional band members—tenor saxophonist Ingrid Laubrock and trombonist Jacob Garchik—to form a septet, featured on her 2013 release Illusionary Sea. Halvorson also co-leads a longstanding chamber jazz duo with violist Jessica Pavone, the avant-rock band People and the collective ensembles Thumbscrew and Secret Keeper. “In the past few years, Mary Halvorson, already an acclaimed member of New York's Downtown improv scene, has been earning widespread recognition as a bandleader and composer of note,” writes Troy Collins. “Her writing displays an increasing sophistication with each new effort, revealing a compositional maturity as distinctive as her idiosyncratic guitar technique. Her latest ensemble, Reverse Blue, first performed at NYC's Blue Note as part of Search and Restore's ‘Spontaneous Constructions’ series. Despite their mixed pedigree, there is an aesthetic similarity amongst the tunes that lends a sense of stylistic cohesion to the proceedings. Cohesive, yet varied enough to signify its collaborative nature, Reverse Blue is another exceptional release from one of today's most adventurous artists.” Friday March 31, 2017 - Two Shows - 7pm & 9pm - $26 PHILIPPE LEMM TRIO Palace Theater Poli Club - 100 East Main St – Waterbury 203-346-2000 www.PalaceTheaterCT.org Full Series Info : www.neaae.com New York based drummer Philippe Lemm was born in Amsterdam, where he started his musical journey at the age of 16. At the age of 19 he was admitted at The Amsterdam Conservatory. In his second year at the conservatory Philippe started touring internationally with jazz trumpeter Saskia Laroo as well as leading his own group Wazabe. At the end of his studies in Amsterdam Philippe was extensively playing with renowned Dutch jazz musicians like Karel Boehlee (Toots Thielemans), Jorg Kaaij (Jazz Orchestra of the Concert Gebouw) and Peter Tiehuis (Metropole Orchestra). In 2009 he started his second group as a leader: Philippe Lemm Group where he released 2 records with and toured extensively with in Europe. In 2011 he was a recipient of one of the most prestigious scholarships in The Netherlands; Huygens Scholarship, which allowed him to continue his studies at Manhattan School of Music with John Riley. Philippe graduated in 2013 and receives his Masters Degree from this prestigious institute and becomes the first Dutch drummer that earns his Masters Degree for Jazz Drums from the Manhattan School of Music. After graduating from Manhattan School of Music Philippe was invited by India’s leading school for contemporary music, True School of Music in Mumbai, to be an Artist in Residence and Head of the Drum Department for 4 months. In india he started to collaborate with Bollywood superstar Shilpa Rao and accompanied he in her “Hard Rock Café India Tour 2013” Friday, March 31, 2017 – 7pm - $30 AL FENTON BIG BAND - "TO PUT THE MOVES ON M.S.!" Georgina’s Restaurant - 275 Boston Turnpike - Bolton My daughter, Jen Neri, my son James and myself will be leading a Muck Fest Team and racing for a cure to fight this disease. 100% of all funds raised will be donated to the National M.S. Society! The Italian Dinner Dance tickets include a big band to dance to, an Italian buffet with cash bar and a $10 donation to M.S.! Call Joel Schlank at (860) 729-2025 to reserve your seat at the table. Together we can put the moves on M.S! Friday, March 31, 2017 – 8pm - $40 / $35 Series, SCSU Faculty/Staff, Active Alumni with valid ID (Limit 2) / $20 SCSU students with valid ID (Limit 2) FOURPLAY John Lyman Center for the Performing Arts - Southern Connecticut State University - 501 Crescent Street - New Haven 203-392-SCSU For two decades, the contemporary jazz quartet known as Fourplay has enjoyed consistent artistic and commercial success by grafting elements of R&B and pop to their unwavering jazz foundations. In the course of a dozen recordings – six of which have climbed to the top of Billboard’s Contemporary Jazz Album charts – the supergroup has continued to explore the limitless dimensions of jazz while at the same time appealing to a broad audience. This popular show is sure to sell out! Friday, March 31, 2017 - 8:30 pm ($20) and 10 pm ($15) TRIO M Firehouse 12 - 45 Crown Street - New Haven This event takes place in the unusually intimate setting of the venue's acoustically engineered recording studio, which the New York Times' Nate Chinen has called "the pre-eminent spot for improvised music in the region.” Tickets can be purchased online at http://firehouse12.com or by phone at (203) 785-0468, or in person at the box office beginning at 7 pm. the night of the show (subject to availability). Friday, March 31, 2017 - 8:30pm (doors at 7:30) - $35 DONALD VEGA TRIO SideDoor Jazz Club - 85 Lyme Street - Lyme 860-434-2600 April, 2017 Saturday, April 1, 2017—6:30pm—FREE JOHN BRIGHENTI SOLO PIANO Vito’s Wethersfield - 673 Silas Deane Hwy – Wethersfield 860-673-3333 Saturday, April 1, 2017 – 7:30pm – donations to Ana Grace Project accepted NOAH BAERMAN TRIO WITH JIMMY MACBRIDE Jonathan Edwards College - 68 High St – Yale University - New Haven Saturday, April 1, 2017 - 8 pm - CONNOR WAAGE – JAZZ GUITARIST The Buttonwood Tree Performing Arts and Cultural Center - 605 Main Street – Middletown - 860-347-4957 Connor Waage is a CT-based jazz guitarist having recently graduated from SUNY Purchase with a degree in Jazz Performance and bursting onto the scene. He leads a duo, trio, and quartet that play bebop and great American songbook-era songs. Hear some of his music: https://soundcloud.com/connor-waage For more information on Bert Seager and Tetraptych, click here and here. Tickets for all shows available at the door. Door and Cafe/Bookstore open half hour before performance time. Saturday, April 1, 2017 - 8:30pm (doors at 7:30) - $35 RICKY FORD SideDoor Jazz Club - 85 Lyme Street - Lyme 860-434-2600 Sunday, April 2, 2017 – 11am - $10 CHIELI MINUCCI (guitar) Northeast Guitar Expo - Farmington Marriott – 15 Farm Springs Road - Farmington Chieli is an amazing guitarist, composer, arranger and the longtime leader of the Grammy-nominated jazz-fusion group Chieli Minucci & Special EFX. He will also be having a meet & greet booth during the show. Sunday, April 2, 2017 - 3 pm - FREE EARL MACDONALD / FELIPE SALLES QUARTET Baby Grand Jazz 2017 Hartford Public Library (Center for Contemporary Culture, main floor) - 500 Main Street – Hartford 860-695-6320 Sunday, April 2, 2017 - 7pm - $20 Tickets & reserved table-side seating on sale now GIACOMO GATES with WALTER GWARDYAK-piano, JEFF FULLER-bass, CARMEN INTORRE-drums Beth El Temple - 2626 Albany Avenue - West Hartford Call 860-233-9696 or contact BEMA@betheltemplemusic for tickets or table reservations. Wine & snacks provided. Monday, April 3, 2017 - 8 pm - 11 pm - $5 HARTFORD JAZZ JAM HANEEF N. NELSON SEXTET: Haneef N. Nelson/Tommy Lehman-trumpet; Frank Kozyra-tenor sax; Taber Gable-piano; Matt Dwonszyk-bass; Mike Camacho-drums Presented by the Hartford Jazz Society and Neefjazz Entertainment Black-eyed Sally's - 350 Asylum Street - Downtown Hartford Located in downtown Hartford, for the aficionado, musician, or the curious first-timer, Jazz Mondays is the best taste of live jazz in Hartford. Set in the southern juke joint atmosphere of Black-eyed Sally’s, Jazz Mondays 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. Jam session begins after 1st set. $5 cover once a month, under 21s welcome. Tuesday, April 4, 2017 – 8pm STEVE DAVIS & FRIENDS - Steve Davis, Josh Bruneau, Tony Davis, Matt Dwonzsyk, Corey Garcia Prospect Cafe - 345 Prospect Ave. - West Hartford 860-519-1048 Thursday, April 6, 2017 – 8pm - $5 ELM FICTION - JEFF CEDRONE – Guitar, Electronics/Keys; BOB GORRY – Guitar; TOM HOGAN – Drums, Vibraphone; ADAM MATLOCK – Accordion, Cassette Player Best Video Cultural Center – 1842 Whitney Ave – Hamden 203-287-9286 NHIC Records announces the release of the new CD, Score by Elm Fiction. Elm Fiction is a thoughtful mix driven by twin guitars, accordion, and drums, with occasional synth, noise, vibraphone and cassette. Jazz elements. New Music. Adventurous. Elm Fiction tells a story about ten years. It is the music behind the story, the Score, that is presented here. The themes and tones follow a narrative arc that reflects this experience from a few particular angles. One story. One score. The group came together to celebrate the 10 year anniversary of the New Haven Improvisers Collective. Each player brought a piece in and the group worked together to turn them into a complete work, arranging and connecting the pieces and using ideas and themes across the entire work. Out of Many, One. It rewards a full listen as a single work, but the parts stand alone as well. The striking themes and sound collage elements of T. Krex. The meditative look within and without of Impermanence, The epic suite on the degeneration of sound and memory of Sick Wires. The off kilter groove of scattered recollection in Memory N. Listen right now: www.music.nhic-records.com. In 2005 Bob Gorry started holding monthly workshops under the banner of the New Haven Improvisers Collective. Tom Hogan was in the drum chair briefly, before bringing his sticks to the west coast for much of the next decade. Jeff Cedrone joined shortly thereafter and Adam Matlock came to town a few years later. In 2015, they collectively put together this record to reflect on the force of the music made by many individuals and groups in this place during this time. Jeff Cedrone has a wide array of vintage and modern guitar electronics at his command shaping sounds to fit the mood of the piece from the otherworldly ring modulated moogerfooger to just the precise atmospheric fuzz of a modern pedal. Jeff’s synthesizer adds a further array of textures and tones. He plays with his progressive art rock group The Floating Lanterns, Vance Provney’s OutFunked, the electronica of Greylyng and the uncompromising force of Light upon Blight. Jeff is a prolific composer contributing extensively to new music ensembles in CT. Bob Gorry leads the New Haven Improvisers Collective and many of its offshoot bands including ELECTRONHIC, Guitar Trio E, the electro-minimalist Erasmus Quintet, the Avant-Rock-Funk, Beefheart meets Miles “Mayhem Circus Electric”, and the wide open Jazz of nhic:atlas. He worked with the late Lawrence D. “Butch” Morris producing one of Mr. Morris’s conductions with an All-Star New Haven Cast. He continues to play in and support new music being produced in the New Haven area. Tom Hogan is a drummer, vibraphonist and composer playing in a wide variety of styles. He is a founding member of the New Haven Improvisers Collective. Shortly after seeing NHIC through its infancy he moved west with his touring band Strike the Colors. After playing, design, producing, and engineering music in southern California for a decade he moved back east where he teaches music and plays in several groups including Emily B, The Zero Dollar Trio, Olde Guard, Light Upon Blight and more. He also works as ProgressNotes, composing and producing music for short and feature length films, non-profits, television commercials and recording artists. Adam Matlock works as an accordionist, composer and vocalist, exploring traditional music from Spirituals to Klezmer, Balkan to American Old-time, and incorporates this into various projects as a composer, songwriter, and improviser. He studied music and narrative with composer/trombonist Michael Dessen and flautist Margo Simmons-Edwards at Hampshire college and produced recordings of two short stories with music interwoven into the narration. He began exploring improvisation, electronic music, and long form instrumental and vocal composition after graduating. He further explored narrative, writing dramatic/narrative works that culminated in an opera in two stages between 2012-2014. He records as a songwriter under the name An Historic; as a member of the collective trio Broadcloth; and with the folk destructionalist group Dr. Caterwaul’s Cadre of Clairvoyant Claptraps. Matlock has also performed with Kindred Queer, Anthony Braxton’s Syntactical Ghost Trance Choir, the Yale Klezmer Band and various lineups of the New Haven Improvisers Collective. He has performed in New Haven, New York, Boston, and all over New England, North as far as Halifax and Montreal, and South as far as Atlanta. He also works as a music teacher in the New Haven area. The New Haven Improvisers Collective is in its thirteenth year and remains one of the focal points of a thriving improvised and experimental music scene here in New Haven, CT. The Collective now numbers more than 50 members and has been featured in the New York Times along with very major local publication. NHIC members form the core of many of New Haven’s most adventurous groups including: Electronhic, Dr. Caterwaul’s Cadre of Clairvoyant Claptraps, Rivener, OutFunked, Emily B, Goodnight Blue Moon, Floating Lanterns, Afro-Semitic Experience, the Sawtelles, Zero Dollar Trio, Mayhem Circus Electric and many more. NHIC continues to hold free monthly workshops, sponsors performances of various combinations of NHIC members and hosts visiting jazz and new music ensembles. Please see www.nhic-music.org for more information and checkout the ever growing members’ page to see all of the local, national and international musicians based in the New Haven area who count themselves as members. Friday, April 7, 2017 - 8:30 pm ($20) and 10 pm ($15) WEBBER/MITCHELL/HOLLENBECK Firehouse 12 - 45 Crown Street - New Haven This event takes place in the unusually intimate setting of the venue's acoustically engineered recording studio, which the New York Times' Nate Chinen has called "the pre-eminent spot for improvised music in the region.” Tickets can be purchased online at http://firehouse12.com or by phone at (203) 785-0468, or in person at the box office beginning at 7 pm. the night of the show (subject to availability). Saturday, April 8 – Sunday, April 9, 2017 THE CREATE FESTIVAL PRESENTED BY LEGENDARY COMPOSER AND TRUMPETER WADADA LEO SMITH Firehouse 12 - 45 Crown Street - New Haven Visionary composer and trumpeter Wadada Leo Smith proudly announces the first-ever CREATE Festival, a two-day celebration and exploration of his inventive and unclassifiable music that will feature classic works alongside world premiere performances. The festival will include performances by five separate ensembles as well as seminars discussing Smith’s singular compositional innovations. “This idea has been in a dream state for many, many years,” Smith says. That long-cherished dream has been realized in part due to support from the Doris Duke Charitable Foundation, which awarded Smith the Doris Duke Artist Award in 2016. The festival offers a thrilling, rare opportunity to delve deeply into the full scope of Smith’s sui generis compositional voice and approach, which – in their category-defying range and breadth – can only be classified using Smith’s preferred term, “Creative Music.” The eclectic weekend will include two unique trios, each featuring unusual, ingenious instrumentation; three of the composer’s most recent works for string quartet, the latest entries in an oeuvre now spanning more than five decades; a vocal oratorio; and the world premiere performance of Smith’s latest epic composition, “America’s National Parks.” In addition, both days’ performance schedules will kick off with short sets by young, unrecorded musicians (including Wadada’s 21-year-old grandson, guitarist Lamar Smith), providing an invaluable opportunity for artists in the early stages of their careers to receive guidance and exposure from the iconic composer. Both evenings’ concert programs will culminate with the first-time live performance of the four largest movements from “America’s National Parks” by Smith’s newly-expanded Golden Quintet: Smith, pianist Anthony Davis, bassist John Lindberg, drummer Pheeroan akLaff, and cellist Ashley Walters. Cuneiform’s 2-CD recording of the suite last year was widely acclaimed, taking its place at or near the top of most annual lists of the year’s best releases. JazzTimes wrote that the album “unites political engagement with a soul-deep connection to nature… rich with ineffable majesty, [the suite] fully engages with tensions at the heart of the American experience.” Saturday’s line-up commences with “Dark Lady of the Sonnets,” a piece dedicated to Billie Holiday and originally recorded in 2011, by Smith’s Mbira Trio with akLaff and pipa virtuoso Min Xiao-Fen. Mbira will then be joined by the RedKoral Quintet, a string quartet specially assembled to perform Smith’s music, and a pair of vocalists for excerpts from his “Rosa Parks Oratorio,” originally premiered during the 2016 FONT Festival of New Trumpet Music. The Oratorio, Smith says, “is not a portrait of Rosa Parks. It’s my view of how she generated her ideas, her courage and her notions about how to resolve conflict.” The RedKoral Quintet, comprising longtime collaborators Shalini Vijayan and Mona Tian (violin), Lorenz Gamma (viola) and Ashley Walters (cello), will then premiere Smith’s “String Quartet No. 9” and the first movement of “String Quartet No. 10,” two of the latest in a book of music begun in the mid-1960s. “No. 9” features four movements dedicated to female African-American pioneers in music and the Civil Rights movement (Ma Rainey, Marian Anderson, Rosa Parks, and Angela Davis), while “No. 10” was inspired by the legendary Duke Ellington and also features pianist Anthony Davis. Sunday’s concert begins with Smith’s 12th String Quartet, the “Pacifica,” which was premiered at the 2016 Vision Festival and was written for four violas (Stephanie Griffin, Gwen Lester, Tanya Kalmanovitch and Jason Kao Hwang) with Smith’s trumpets and electronics by New York-based sound designer Hardedge. The evening continues with a newly-composed piece for the trio New Delta Akhri, in which Smith is joined by saxophonist and flutist Dwight Andrew and vibraphonist Bobby Naughton. That trio, Smith says, continues to expand concepts inaugurated with his influential early trio, the Creative Construction Company, with fellow AACM pioneers Anthony Braxton and Leroy Jenkins. “That trio set the pace for the idea of an ensemble that didn't have a set bottom, middle and top,” he says. “It sits in a zone that’s quite unique.” Several of the works will be supplemented by images provided by video artist Jesse Gilbert, who Smith says adds integral visual context to the aural elements. “The music and imagery don’t move in separate streams,” he says. “They’re actually intimately connected and responsible for each other, allowing us to create a narrative that transcends space and time. It’s twofold: there’s a technical and musical connection, and then there’s a psychological and historical connection that help to provide for comprehension of the work.” In order to further that comprehension, Smith (aided again by Gilbert’s images) will offer two afternoon seminars during the weekend, one to elaborate on several of the compositions and the inspirations and approaches behind them, and one to offer insights into his symbolic musical language, Ankhrasmation. Both seminars will be accompanied by premium coffee brewed by Wadada himself and Creole gumbo prepared by Gianna Chachere, executive director and founder of New Orleans arts organization The New Quorum. Smith chose New Haven’s Firehouse 12 as the ideal venue for the CREATE Festival, calling it “almost a perfect place to play. The size is intimate enough that everybody in the space will feel that they’re part of the performance and can have a clear, engaged audio and visual experience. It’s a strong center for music in Connecticut.” As with every performance, Smith sees the overall festival as a work in itself, which he calls “Kosmic Music: A Sonic Spectrum of Crystallized Rhythm: Pure – In Eight Parts with Five Ensembles.” In the end, Smith hopes that audiences who attend the festival will come away “with a deeper understanding of how I make my art. I expect that they’ll be more informed about what my music is and therefore they can create a deeper level of appreciation for what I do. Ultimately I wish to create a dialogue about issues of liberty, democracy, art and the connection between human beings.” Saturday, April 8 12-2:00pm Seminar A presentation centered around a dialogue about Wadada Leo Smith’s music and some of the pieces being performed over the two days, with Jesse Gilbert, video artist. Premium coffee brewed by Wadada and Creole gumbo prepared by Gianna Chachere. 7:00pm Concert 1. Young People’s Opening Act LaStar Lamar Smith, guitar, plus two musicians TBA 2. Dark Lady of the Sonnets 3. Excerpt from Rosa Parks Oratorio The Montgomery Bus Boycott: 381 Days: Fire Mbira Pheeroan Aklaff, drums and percussion Min Xiao Fen, pipa and voice Wadada Leo Smith, trumpet with RedKoral Quartet and Jesse Gilbert, video artist on Rosa Parks Oratorio 4. String Quartets 9 and 10, World Premiere String Quartet No. 9 Ma Rainey Marian Anderson Rosa Parks Angela Davis String Quartet No. 10 Ellingtonia Reminiscing in Tempo RedKoral Quartet Shalini Vijayan, violin Mona Tian, violin Lorenz Gamma, viola Ashley Walters, cello Anthony Davis, piano on String Quartet #10 5. Excerpts from America’s National Parks New Orleans; National Cultural Park, World Premiere Yellowstone; the Spirit of America Wadada Leo Smith’s Golden Quintet Wadada Leo Smith, trumpet Anthony Davis, piano Ashley Walters, cello John Linberg, bass Pheeroan Aklaff, drums Jesse Gilbert, video artist Sunday, April 9 12-2:00pm Seminar A presentation of a dialogue concerning the symbolic music language Ankhrasmation, with Jesse Gilbert, video artist. Premium coffee brewed by Wadada and Creole gumbo prepared by Gianna Chachere. 7:00pm Concert 1. Young People’s Opening Act Musicians TBA 2. String Quartet #12, Pacifica Viola Quartet with Trumpet and electronics The Sextet Stephanie Griffin, viola Gwen Lester, viola Tanya Kalmanovitch, viola Jason Kao Hwang, viola Hardedge, electronics Wadada Leo Smith, trumpet 3. New premiere, TBA New Delta Ahkri Wadada Leo Smith, trumpet Dwight Andrew, saxophones/flutes Bobby Naughton, vibraphone 4. Excerpts from America’s National Parks Mississippi River Yosemite Wadada Leo Smith’s Golden Quintet Wadada Leo Smith, trumpet Anthony Davis, piano Ashley Walters, cello John Linberg, bass Pheeroan Aklaff, drums Jesse Gilbert, video artist Saturday, April 8, 2017 - 8pm - $10 BRIAN FRIEDLAND TRIO The Buttonwood Tree Performing Arts and Cultural Center - 605 Main Street – Middletown - 860-347-4957 The Brian Friedland Trio plays original music with an emphasis on melody, narrative, atmosphere, and interaction. Friedland’s piano work with bassist Brad Barrett and drummer Austin McMahon on compositions like Northwest Passage, Listen, and Praise Be The Mammal evoke mysterious, contemplation, and humorous moods. The versatility and imagination of their live performances have created a loyal following in the Boston area throughout a decade of active performances. Individually, Brian, Brad, and Austin play with a wide swath of notable Boston artists and can be heard on dozens of recordings. Tickets for all shows available at the door. Door and Cafe/Bookstore open half hour before performance time. Saturday, April 8, 2017 - 8pm - FREE EMMET COHEN Presented by the Yale Undergraduate Jazz Collective The Underbrook - Saybrook College - 242 Elm - Entryway H – Yale University - New Haven Multifaceted American jazz pianist and composer Emmet Cohen has emerged as one of his generation's pivotal figures in music and the related arts. Downbeat observed that his "nimble touch, measured stride and warm harmonic vocabulary indicate he's above any convoluted technical showmanship." A member of both the "Ali Jackson Trio" and the "Christian McBride Special Trio," he has also appeared regularly with Kurt Elling, Billy Hart, Jimmy Heath, Brian Lynch, and Herlin Riley. Saturday, April 8, 2017 - 8pm - In advance – $10 p/person, At the door – $15 single/$25 couple THE ALVIN CARTER PROJECT WITH SPECIAL GUEST TONY DAVIS A fundraiser presented by the Greater Hartford Festival of Jazz, in partnership with J's Crab Shack J's Crab Shack - 2074 Park St. - Hartford - 860-231-9545 Advance tickets can be purchased at www.hartfordjazz.org Happy Hour prices available! Saturday, April 8, 2017 – 8pm - $45 in advance / $55 at the door - Tickets MARCUS ANDERSON'S "LIMITED EDITION" TOUR - Marcus Anderson-sax, Rohn Lawrence-guitar, Jay Rowe-keys, Dave Anderson-bass, Trever Sommerville-drums A Portion of the Proceeds from This Show Will Go to a Deserving Branford High School Instrumental Music Student Who is Continuing Their Music Studies After Graduation Local Kitchen and Beer Bar – 850 West Main Street - Branford One of the premiere saxophonists in the world, Marcus Anderson is not only a sought after solo artist, with eight albums to date, who performs to audiences all over the world, and who accompanies other great artists such as CeeLo Green and Judith Hill, but he is also known as being a featured saxophonist with the late Prince’s New Power Generation. In addition to being a sax maestro, Marcus plays the flute, sings, writes, dances, produces and arranges music; his talent is undeniable to most audiences and to his peers. As if that wasn’t enough, his recent accomplishments include ranking #1 on Billboard's Smooth Jazz chart. Marcus Anderson recently became a key contributor to CeeLo Green’s tour band, traveling internationally with the Love Train Tour. Marcus is no stranger to notoriety touring often with his own band both as a recording artist and performer. Marcus Anderson has played with several headliners during guest appearances on well-noted shows such as Jimmy Kimmel Live!, Arsenio Hall Show, Jimmy Fallon and The Tonight Show. He is a veteran and audience favorite at such notable festivals as the Essence Music Festival, Catalina Island JazzTrax Festival, Seabreeze Jazz Festival, Capital Jazz Festival, Montreux Jazz Festival, Curacao North Sea Jazz Festival, and more. As a solo artist, Marcus has been honored to open for and join on stage artists such as Ledisi, Lalah Hathaway, Brian Culbertson, Esperanza Spaulding, Peter White, Boney James, Kirk Whalum, Gerald Albright, George Duke, Wynton Marsalis, Alex Bugnon, Nnenna Freelon, Jeff Lorber, Bob Baldwin, Jennifer Holiday and The Sax Pack. Watch a video of Marcus Anderson performing with Prince: https://youtu.be/BZTTgxIysU8 Sunday, April 9, 2017 - 3 pm - FREE NICKI MATHIS: Afrikan American Jazz Baby Grand Jazz 2017 Hartford Public Library (Center for Contemporary Culture, main floor) - 500 Main Street – Hartford 860-695-6320 Sunday, April 9, 2017 - 7:30pm - $15 PETER EVANS SEPTET - Peter Evans-trumpet, Sam Pluta-live electronics, Ron Stabinsky-piano, Mazz Swift-violin, Tom Blancarte-bass, Levy Lorenzo-percussion and electronics, Jim Black-drums Arts Block - 289 Main St. - Greenfield, MA Peter Evans is a trumpet player, and improvisor/composer based in New York City since 2003. Evans is part of a broad, hybridized scene of musical experimentation and his work cuts across a wide range of modern musical practices and traditions. Evans is committed to the simultaneously self-determining and collaborative nature of musical improvisation as a compositional tool, and works with an ever-expanding group of musicians and composers in the creation of new music. His primary groups as a leader are the Peter Evans Septet and the Zebulon trio. In addition, Evans has been performing and recording solo trumpet music since 2002 and is widely recognized as a leading voice in the field, having released several recordings over the past decade. He is a member of the cooperative groups Pulverize the Sound (with Mike Pride and Tim Dahl) and Rocket Science (with Evan Parker, Craig Taborn and Sam Pluta) and is constantly experimenting and forming new configurations with like minded players. As a composer, he has been commissioned by the International Contemporary Ensemble (ICE), Yarn/Wire, the Donaueschingen Musiktage Festival, the Jerome Foundation's Emerging Artist Program, and the Doris Duke Foundation for the 2015 Newport Jazz Festival. Evans has presented and/or performed his works at major festivals worldwide and tours his own groups extensively. He has worked with some of the leading figures in new music: John Zorn, Kassa Overall, Jim Black, Weasel Walter, Levy Lorenzo, Nate Wooley, Steve Schick, Mary Halvorson, Joe McPhee, George Lewis, and performs with both ICE and the Wet Ink Ensemble. He has been releasing recordings on his own label, More is More, since 2011. “His reputation among freethinking trumpet players is ironclad, a function of superhuman precision and a trailblazing technical vocabulary,” writes Nate Chinen in the New York Times. Pioneer Valley Jazz Shares concerts are produced by a group of music lovers who have purchased jazz shares. Like farm shares, where stakeholders ensure the success of the farm by pre-paying for food, Pioneer Valley Jazz Share members purchase jazz shares to provide the capital needed to produce concerts with minimal institutional support. Operating under the fiscal sponsorship of The Northampton Center for the Arts, we are a grassroots, all-volunteer organization dedicated to the continued vitality of the music. Single tickets are available at www.jazzshares.org and at the door. Monday, April 10, 2017 - 8 pm - 11 pm - FREE HARTFORD JAZZ JAM MICHAEL SCOTT TRIO: Michael Scott-drums; Emery A. Smith-piano; James Daggs-bass Presented by the Hartford Jazz Society and Neefjazz Entertainment Black-eyed Sally's - 350 Asylum Street - Downtown Hartford Located in downtown Hartford, for the aficionado, musician, or the curious first-timer, Jazz Mondays is the best taste of live jazz in Hartford. Set in the southern juke joint atmosphere of Black-eyed Sally’s, Jazz Mondays 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. Jam session begins after 1st set. $5 cover once a month, under 21s welcome. Friday, April 14, 2017 - 8:30 pm ($20) and 10 pm ($15) RALPH PETERSON'S TRIANGULAR III TRIO Firehouse 12 - 45 Crown Street - New Haven This event takes place in the unusually intimate setting of the venue's acoustically engineered recording studio, which the New York Times' Nate Chinen has called "the pre-eminent spot for improvised music in the region.” Tickets can be purchased online at http://firehouse12.com or by phone at (203) 785-0468, or in person at the box office beginning at 7 pm. the night of the show (subject to availability). Monday, April 17, 2017 - 8 pm - 11 pm - FREE HARTFORD JAZZ JAM STEVE DAVIS GROUP: Steve Davis-trombone; tba Presented by the Hartford Jazz Society and Neefjazz Entertainment Black-eyed Sally's - 350 Asylum Street - Downtown Hartford Located in downtown Hartford, for the aficionado, musician, or the curious first-timer, Jazz Mondays is the best taste of live jazz in Hartford. Set in the southern juke joint atmosphere of Black-eyed Sally’s, Jazz Mondays 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. Jam session begins after 1st set. $5 cover once a month, under 21s welcome. Tuesday, April 18, 2017 – 8pm STEVE DAVIS & FRIENDS - Steve Davis, Josh Bruneau, Tony Davis, Matt Dwonzsyk, Corey Garcia Prospect Cafe - 345 Prospect Ave. - West Hartford 860-519-1048 Wednesday, April 19, 2017 – 7pm - FREE 4TH ANNUAL JOBIMFEST, CELEBRATING THE MUSIC OF ANTONIO CARLOS JOBIM (1927-1994) Joe Carter and the Brazilian Jazz All Stars - Prof. Joe Carter – guitar, Hendrik Meurkens – harmonica, Tim Moran – woodwinds, David Finck – bass, Adriano Santos – drums Edgerton Center For The Performing Arts - Sacred Heart University - 5151 Park. Ave. – Fairfield 203.371.7735 The group will be performing the music of acclaimed Brazilian composer, Antonio Carlos Jobim, the composer of The Girl From Ipanema, Corcovado, One Note Samba and many more. Thursday, April 20, 2017 – 7pm – FREE SUNNY JAIN Russell Library – 123 Broad Street - Middletown Friday, April 21, 2017 - 6:30 pm – FREE SIMPLY SWING FEATURING VIVIAN LAROSA Enes Community Center - 150 Nevers Rd - South Windsor 860-989-9217 The 2017 Farmington Bank Community Concert Series featuring Simply Swing kicks off indoors with the popular 10-piece swing orchestra presenting a Salute to the Big Bands. Under the musical direction of musical director/drummer Joe LaRosa, Simply Swing will perform selections from 10 different Big Bands including selections made popular by Glenn Miller, Benny Goodman, Duke Ellington, Count Basie, Artie Shaw, Harry James, Tommy Dorsey, Buddy Rich, Stan Kenton and Woody Hermann. Vocalist Vivian LaRosa will sing a number of selections commemorating the Ella Fitzgerald Centennial. See www.simplyswingmusic.com for more series info. Friday, April 21, 2017 – 8:30pm - $44 / $74 JANE MONHEIT Infinity Hall Hartford - 32 Front Street – Downtown Hartford 866-666-6306 Grammy-nominated jazz vocalist Jane Monheit returns to our Hartford stage!! In addition to the charted hits off of her nine studio albums, Jane is also presenting the music of the great Ella Fitzgerald. If you consider yourself jazz savvy, or you just like the sound of a beautiful voice, we will see you at this show!! Friday, April 21, 2017 - 8:30 pm ($20) and 10 pm ($15) MICHAËL ATTIAS QUARTET Firehouse 12 - 45 Crown Street - New Haven This event takes place in the unusually intimate setting of the venue's acoustically engineered recording studio, which the New York Times' Nate Chinen has called "the pre-eminent spot for improvised music in the region.” Tickets can be purchased online at http://firehouse12.com or by phone at (203) 785-0468, or in person at the box office beginning at 7 pm. the night of the show (subject to availability). Saturday, April 22 – Sunday, April 23, 2017 - FREE JAZZ FESTIVAL AT YALE Yale University – New Haven We are very excited to announce the lineup for our fifth annual Jazz Festival at Yale, a student-organized weekend of jazz events. This is one of the highest quality free jazz festivals in the United States, bringing world-class musicians to give concerts and talks on the Yale campus free of charge with no tickets required. We would love to coordinate with you to publicize the Festival to the community! The Yale Undergraduate Jazz Collective seeks to promote a community of music education on Yale’s campus and in New Haven. We serve as the hub of Yale’s jazz community by organizing concerts, talks, and events throughout the year, lobbying for a formal jazz curriculum at Yale, and of course, by hosting our fast-growing annual Jazz Festival. Last year’s Jazz Festival featured Grammy Award-winning artists Wayne Escoffery and Arturo O’Farrill, drew in hundreds people, and was extremely well received by the Yale, New Haven, and greater New England communities. You can read more about the Collective in this recent New York Times Article or on our website. This year, we are proud to be hosting a new lineup of phenomenal musicians. Our Sunday headliner, performing and giving a talk on the afternoon of 4/23, is Grammy Award-nominated New Orleans trumpeter Christian Scott aTunde Adjuah. Scott, hailed by critics as “Jazz’s young style God,” is a beacon of innovation in jazz today and the architect of a new genre called Stretch Music. He is known for developing the harmonic convention known as the “forecasting cell” and for his use of an un-voiced tone in his playing, emphasizing breath over vibration at the mouthpiece, widely referred to as his “whisper technique.” Over the past decade Scott has also scored award-winning films, designed an interactive media player called the Stretch Music App, and has collaborated with McCoy Tyner, Prince, Marcus Miller, Mos Def, and Solange Knowles, among others. He will be performing and delivering a pre-concert talk at the Jazz Festival at Yale in promotion of his newest record, Ruler Rebel, which will be the first in a three album set that Scott is producing to commemorate the 100th anniversary of the very first Jazz recordings of 1917. On Saturday, April 22nd, the Collective is thrilled to be hosting Yale alumnus M’Balia Singley (SY’94), as our the festival opening headliner. M’Balia is a singer who approaches jazz standards with a “fiercely individualistic style and a generous dollop of gospel grounding,” and an “ace” songwriter with a caustic wit and piquant attitude born of lived experience. Her infectious bluesy vocals have been likened to those of Cécile McLorin Salvant, and her list of collaborators includes such renowned artists as John Legend and Orrin Evans. She will bring her powerful and unique artistry to the stage alongside her longtime pianist Sarah Slonim, who she performs with bimonthly at Smalls, NYC. Before her performance she will be leading a discussion and Q&A about her time studying at Yale and her illustrious artistic journey since then. This year’s Festival will also feature the young powerhouse group, Adam O’Farrill’s Stranger Days. Trumpeter and composer Adam O’Farrill has been featured on Grammy Award-nominated and Latin Grammy Award-winning albums. His own group’s 2016 release, Stranger Days earned the New York Times’ acclaim; they wrote that, “Mr. O’Farrill establishes both a firm identity and a willful urge to stretch and adapt.” The band is comprised of some the most talented young players in the New York jazz scene today-- O’Farrill is joined by the notable Chad Lefkowitz-Brown on tenor saxophone, the seasoned Walter Stinton on bass, and O’Farrill’s own brother Zack on drums. In conjunction with their performance, the ensemble will be conducting a performance workshop with current Yale students. Finally, we have the pleasure of co-hosting the incredible Cameroonian bassist, vocalist, and composer, Richard Bona, as well as the visionary pianist composer, Randy Weston, at the closing event of the Festival. The two artists will perform consecutive sets on the evening of Sunday the 23rd at Toad’s place. This final concert is organized by the Yale Department of Music as part of the Africa Into Jazz/Jazz Into Africa series. Richard Bona has been described by the Los Angeles Times as “an artist with Jaco Pastorious’s virtuosity, George Benson’s vocal fluidity, Joao Gilberto’s sense of song and harmony, all mixed up with African culture.” A Grammy Award-winner, Bona has collaborated with top jazz artists such as Pat Metheny and Bobby McFerrin. Randy Weston has been said to have “the biggest sound of any jazz pianist since Ellington and Monk, as well as the richest most inventive beat.” His long list of honors and awards include NEA Jazz Master (2001) and a spot in the “DownBeat Hall of Fame.” The Collective is excited to once again partner with the Yale University Art Gallery. Our headlining acts will perform in the Gallery’s beautiful Robert L. McNeil, Jr., Lecture Hall. The Yale University Art Gallery has long supported Jazz on our campus and we are very thankful that they will be hosting Jazz Festival events for the the third year in a row! Saturday, April 22, 2017 – 7pm - $150 20TH ANNIVERSARY JAZZ FOR JUVENILE DIABETES BENEFIT CONCERT - CURTIS STIGERS QUARTET Town Hall - West Hartford Center With one of the most distinctive voices in music, Stigers pushes the boundaries of conventional jazz and expands the jazz repertoire, creating modern jazz standards. Throughout his career, singer/songwriter/saxophonist Stigers has been celebrated for a surprisingly wide variety of impressive accomplishments – from his early pop chart success with several self-penned, top-ten singles and hit albums and an appearance on the soundtrack for “The Bodyguard” (one of the biggest selling albums of all time), to Downbeat Magazine naming him one of the jazz genre’s “Rising Male Stars,” to the London Times selecting his recording, “You Inspire Me,” as the number one jazz album of the year and to his songwriting for the acclaimed Sons of Anarchy TV series, writing “This Life,” the series theme song. Curtis has toured the world in concert with such renowned pop artists as Elton John, Eric Clapton, Bonnie Raitt, and Prince, while also sharing the bill with such jazz greats as George Benson, Diana Krall, Wynton Marsalis, Nancy Wilson, Herbie Hancock, Randy and Michael Brecker and Toots Thielmans. Stigers has performed his hits on “The Tonight Show” and “The Late Show with David Letterman” in the U.S., and has been called “one of the best male jazz singers of his generation” by JazzTimes. He’s appeared on albums by Al Green, Jules Shear, Suzzy Roche, and Julia Fordham, as well as his early mentor, jazz piano legend, Gene Harris. His refusal to stand still and his consistent desire to grow and evolve musically, have earned him admiration and recognition – and kept the critics guessing. His latest project, “One More for The Road,” celebrates the timeless cool when Frank Sinatra met the robust swing of the Count Basie Orchestra at the Sands Hotel in Las Vegas. Stigers captures the rare alchemy of hipness, elegance, playfulness and feeling that made Sinatra’s renditions of these songs immortal while adding his own unique twist. The April 22 Town Hall event will include appetizers, dinner and drinks. Please attend what some call “the event of the year” in West Hartford. All proceeds will benefit the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation. For further inquiries and ticket information please visit www.JazzForJuvenileDiabetes.com or call the JDRF at (860) 470-0020 or Steven Sussman at (860) 614-0770 Saturday, April 22, 2017 - 8 pm - $15 TETRAPTYCH The Buttonwood Tree Performing Arts and Cultural Center - 605 Main Street – Middletown - 860-347-4957 Say: “TET-trup-tick:” a four-paneled painting where each panel can stand on its own. Grounded in the lineage of the modern jazz saxophone quartet, Tetraptych brings a breathing conversant quality to the music, where movement, playfulness, sensitivity, and deep groove are ever-present in an openhearted chemistry. Hery Paz – tenor saxophone, Bert Seager – piano, Max Ridley – bass, Dor Herskovits – drums. The band plays the music of pianist, composer and band leader Bert Seager, who has written tunes specifically to fit these musicians, their strengths and collaborative chemistry. The music prominently features New York City-based Hery Paz on tenor saxophone. Each one of his solos is imbued with a depth of purpose, a sense of patience and a willingness to venture into the unknown. This commitment reflects the essential inner resources that were required of him during his family’s harrowing emigration from Cuba and subsequent struggle here in the United States. Max Ridley, their upright bassist, makes the music dance while playfully breaking open the grid of time to liberate the proceedings. Dor Herskovits, the Israeli-born drummer whose deep feel and intelligent phrasing drive and shape the music, holds the key to its ebullience. For more information on Bert Seager and Tetraptych, click here and here. Tickets for all shows available at the door. Door and Cafe/Bookstore open half hour before performance time. Saturday, April 22, 2017 – 8pm MARION MEADOWS WITH SPECIAL GUEST JOE SALLINS Hukelau Dinner Theater - 705 Memorial Drive – Chicopee, MA Ticket information call 413-593-5222 Sunday, April 23, 2017 - 3 pm - FREE THERESA WRIGHT Baby Grand Jazz 2017 Hartford Public Library (Center for Contemporary Culture, main floor) - 500 Main Street – Hartford 860-695-6320 Monday, April 24, 2017 - 8 pm - 11 pm - FREE HARTFORD JAZZ JAM JOHN KORDALEWSKI/FEYA FAKU QUARTET: Feya Faku-trumpet; John Kordalewski-piano; Carlos Pino-bass; Kesivan Naidoo-drums Presented by the Hartford Jazz Society and Neefjazz Entertainment Black-eyed Sally's - 350 Asylum Street - Downtown Hartford Located in downtown Hartford, for the aficionado, musician, or the curious first-timer, Jazz Mondays is the best taste of live jazz in Hartford. Set in the southern juke joint atmosphere of Black-eyed Sally’s, Jazz Mondays 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. Jam session begins after 1st set. $5 cover once a month, under 21s welcome. Thursday, April 27, 2017 - 7pm - $25 (Only 40 tickets will be sold, first come first served) A NIGHT OF JAZZ WITH ROHN LAWRENCE & FRIENDS A fundraiser presented by the Greater Hartford Festival of Jazz, in partnership with The Tobacco Shop & The Red Gold Fine Wine & Spirits The Tobacco Shop - 89 Pratt St. - Hartford - 860-524-8577 Advance tickets can be purchased at www.hartfordjazz.org. Doors open at 6pm. Wine and spirit tasting, sponsored by The Red Gold! Hors d'oeuvres provided Thursday, April 27, 2017 - 8pm – FREE TOMAS FUJIWARA & THE HOOK-UP WITH JONATHAN FINLAYSON, BRIAN SETTLES, MARY HALVORSON AND TREVOR DUNN Bezanson Recital Hall - UMass – 151 Presidents Drive - Amherst, MA Friday, April 28, 2017 - 7 pm – FREE SIMPLY SWING FEATURING VIVIAN LAROSA Pleasant View Senior Center - 328 North Main Street - East Longmeadow, MA 860-989-9217 The 2017 Farmington Bank Community Concert Series featuring Simply Swing continues indoors with room for dancing to the popular 10-piece swing orchestra presenting a Salute to the Big Bands. Under the musical direction of musical director/drummer Joe LaRosa, Simply Swing will perform selections from 10 different Big Bands including selections made popular by Glenn Miller, Benny Goodman, Duke Ellington, Count Basie, Artie Shaw, Harry James, Tommy Dorsey, Buddy Rich, Stan Kenton and Woody Hermann. Vocalist Vivian LaRosa will sing a number of selections commemorating the Ella Fitzgerald Centennial. See www.simplyswingmusic.com for more series info. Friday, April 28, 2017 - 8pm - FREE WESLEYAN JAZZ ORCHESTRA AND JAZZ ENSEMBLE Crowell Concert Hall - Wesleyan University – 283 Washington Terrace – Middletown The Wesleyan University Jazz Orchestra, directed by Professor of Music Jay Hoggard, and Jazz Ensembles, directed by Noah Baerman and Visiting Assistant Professor of Music and Private Lessons Teacher Pheeroan akLaff, present an exciting evening of classic and contemporary jazz repertoire, as part of the 16th annual Wesleyan Jazz Orchestra Weekend. Saturday, April 29, 2017 – 8pm - $35 / $30 Series / $30 SCSU Faculty/Staff, Active Alumni with valid ID (Limit 2) / $20 SCSU students with valid ID (Limit 2) PETER WHITE WITH SPECIAL GUEST LINDSEY WEBSTER John Lyman Center for the Performing Arts - Southern Connecticut State University - 501 Crescent Street - New Haven 203-392-SCSU Join Peter White one of the most energetic and prolific acoustic guitarists on the contemporary jazz landscape to celebrate the release of his new recording “Groovin” and you’ll be in for a treat with a performance by soulful R+B vocalist Lindsey Webster. Lindsey has been compared to Sade and Anita Baker and she opens this fantastic double bill concert and you’ll see for yourself why she had a song go to #1 on the Billboard Contemporary Jazz charts. Saturday, April 29, 2017 - 8pm - $15 general public / $12 senior citizens, Wesleyan faculty/staff/alumni, non-Wesleyan students / $6 Wesleyan students, youth under 18 ELI FOUNTAIN'S PERCUSSION DISCUSSION Crowell Concert Hall - Wesleyan University – 283 Washington Terrace – Middletown Acclaimed percussionist and composer Eli Fountain presents an evening of music alongside a formidable cast of fellow jazz musicians including Warren Smith, Professor of Music Jay Hoggard, Bryan Carrott, Bobby Sanabria, Reggie Nicholson, Lyndon Achee, and Patience Higgins, as part of the 16th annual Wesleyan Jazz Orchestra Weekend. Saturday, April 29, 2017 - 8:30 pm ($20) and 10 pm ($15) ANTHONY BRAXTON SEPTET Firehouse 12 - 45 Crown Street - New Haven This event takes place in the unusually intimate setting of the venue's acoustically engineered recording studio, which the New York Times' Nate Chinen has called "the pre-eminent spot for improvised music in the region.” Tickets can be purchased online at http://firehouse12.com or by phone at (203) 785-0468, or in person at the box office beginning at 7 pm. the night of the show (subject to availability). Sunday, April 30, 2017 - 3 pm - FREE ALVIN CARTER PROJECT: CONFLUENCE OF INFLUENCE IV Baby Grand Jazz 2017 Hartford Public Library (Center for Contemporary Culture, main floor) - 500 Main Street – Hartford 860-695-6320 Sunday, April 30, 2017 - 8:30 pm ($20) and 10 pm ($15) FIREHOUSE 12 RECORDS ALL-STARS Firehouse 12 - 45 Crown Street - New Haven This event takes place in the unusually intimate setting of the venue's acoustically engineered recording studio, which the New York Times' Nate Chinen has called "the pre-eminent spot for improvised music in the region.” Tickets can be purchased online at http://firehouse12.com or by phone at (203) 785-0468, or in person at the box office beginning at 7 pm. the night of the show (subject to availability). May, 2017 Wednesday, May 3, 2017 - 7:30pm - FREE NEW LONDON BIG BAND Social Bar + Kitchen - 208 Bank Street - New London Led by trombonist Sean Nelson, the band is made up of the region’s finest jazz musicians. The band plays music from the libraries of Count Basie, Stan Kenton, and Maynard Ferguson, as well as compositions by bandleader Nelson and pianist and UConn professor Earl MacDonald. Friday, May 5, 2017 - 8:30 pm ($20) and 10 pm ($15) MATTHEW SHIPP TRIO Firehouse 12 - 45 Crown Street - New Haven This event takes place in the unusually intimate setting of the venue's acoustically engineered recording studio, which the New York Times' Nate Chinen has called "the pre-eminent spot for improvised music in the region.” Tickets can be purchased online at http://firehouse12.com or by phone at (203) 785-0468, or in person at the box office beginning at 7 pm. the night of the show (subject to availability). Tuesday, May 9, 2017 - 9pm - FREE TONEBURST LAPTOP AND ELECTRONIC ARTS ENSEMBLE Memorial Chapel - Wesleyan University – 221 High Street – Middletown World premiere! The Toneburst Laptop and Electronic Arts Ensemble, under the direction of Associate Professor of Music Paula Matthusen, teams up with Artist in Residence and University Organist Ronald Ebrecht to present a series of works involving live-electronics and the Memorial Chapel organ. The concert will feature world premieres by Linda Buckley, Visiting Scholar in Music Terri Hron, and Jeff Snyder, as well as new works by ensemble members. Friday, May 12, 2017 - 7 pm – FREE SIMPLY SWING FEATURING VIVIAN LAROSA Avon Senior Center - 635 West Avon Road – Avon 860-989-9217 The 2017 Farmington Bank Community Concert Series featuring Simply Swing continues indoors with room for dancing to the popular 10-piece swing orchestra presenting a Salute to the Big Bands. Under the musical direction of musical director/drummer Joe LaRosa, Simply Swing will perform selections from 10 different Big Bands including selections made popular by Glenn Miller, Benny Goodman, Duke Ellington, Count Basie, Artie Shaw, Harry James, Tommy Dorsey, Buddy Rich, Stan Kenton and Woody Hermann. Vocalist Vivian LaRosa will sing a number of selections commemorating the Ella Fitzgerald Centennial. See www.simplyswingmusic.com for more series info. Friday, May 12, 2017 - 8:30 pm ($20) and 10 pm ($15) HARRIET TUBMAN Firehouse 12 - 45 Crown Street - New Haven This event takes place in the unusually intimate setting of the venue's acoustically engineered recording studio, which the New York Times' Nate Chinen has called "the pre-eminent spot for improvised music in the region.” Tickets can be purchased online at http://firehouse12.com or by phone at (203) 785-0468, or in person at the box office beginning at 7 pm. the night of the show (subject to availability). Saturday, May 13, 2017 – 8pm - $35 / $25 Series / $25 SCSU Faculty/Staff, Active Alumni with valid ID (Limit 2) / $20 SCSU students with valid ID (Limit 2) MARION MEADOWS AND PAUL TAYLOR John Lyman Center for the Performing Arts - Southern Connecticut State University - 501 Crescent Street - New Haven 203-392-SCSU Buckle up for a musical ride when these two hugely successful solo artists join forces for a concert that will blast off with energy and music that is fresh, hip and edgy. Their careers have been filled with non-stop hit making and thousands of charismatic performances worldwide and they have set new standards for contemporary urban jazz. Friday, May 19, 2017 - 7 pm – FREE SIMPLY SWING FEATURING VIVIAN LAROSA Bristol Senior Center - 240 Stafford Avenue – Bristol 860-989-9217 The 2017 Farmington Bank Community Concert Series featuring Simply Swing continues indoors with room for dancing. The popular 10-piece swing orchestra which includes musicians with more than 100 years of combined service in military bands, will commemorate Armed Forces Day with a patriotic salute to America. Under the musical direction of musical director/drummer Joe LaRosa, Simply Swing will perform selections including American Patrol, Boogie Woogie Bugle Boy, Bugle Call Rag, St. Louis Blues, I'll Be Seeing You, contemporary arrangements of Yankee Doodle and The Battle Hymn of the Republic, as well as the Armed Forces Medley and God Bless America. Vocalist Vivian LaRosa will also sing a number of selections commemorating the Ella Fitzgerald Centennial. See www.simplyswingmusic.com for more series info. Friday, May 19, 2017 - 8:30 pm ($20) and 10 pm ($15) PETE MALINVERNI TRIO Firehouse 12 - 45 Crown Street - New Haven This event takes place in the unusually intimate setting of the venue's acoustically engineered recording studio, which the New York Times' Nate Chinen has called "the pre-eminent spot for improvised music in the region.” Tickets can be purchased online at http://firehouse12.com or by phone at (203) 785-0468, or in person at the box office beginning at 7 pm. the night of the show (subject to availability). Saturday, May 20, 2017 - 8 pm - $50 / $70 VIP SPYRO GYRA Eastern Connecticut State University - Concert Hall, Fine Arts Instructional Center - 83 Windham Street – Willimantic Friday, May 26, 2017 - 8:30 pm ($20) and 10 pm ($15) JOE MORRIS "HOUSE OF REFRESHMENT" Firehouse 12 - 45 Crown Street - New Haven This event takes place in the unusually intimate setting of the venue's acoustically engineered recording studio, which the New York Times' Nate Chinen has called "the pre-eminent spot for improvised music in the region.” Tickets can be purchased online at http://firehouse12.com or by phone at (203) 785-0468, or in person at the box office beginning at 7 pm. the night of the show (subject to availability). Sunday, May 27, 2017 - 8pm - $45 OTTMAR LIEBERT AND LUNA NEGRA The Ridgefield Playhouse - 80 East Ridge Road - Ridgefield (203) 438 5795 Ottmar Liebert is one of the most successful instrumental artists of the past decade, thrilling audiences throughout the world. The five-time Grammy nominee is best known for his engaging mix of subdued flamenco guitar with South American percussion, rock, jazz, and pop influences. His popular albums “Barcelona Nights,” “Nouveau Flamenco” and “Borrasca” have earned 38 Gold and Platinum certifications in the United States and more internationally. A German-born guitarist, songwriter, and producer, he cites musical influences such as Carlos Santana, Miles Davis, Paco de Lucía, Robert Fripp, and Jeff Beck. Liebert has brought his Spanish-influenced easy listening music and flamenco to mainstream America with a certain level of class and accessibility. Wednesday, May 31, 2017 - 7:30pm - FREE NEW LONDON BIG BAND Social Bar + Kitchen - 208 Bank Street - New London Led by trombonist Sean Nelson, the band is made up of the region’s finest jazz musicians. The band plays music from the libraries of Count Basie, Stan Kenton, and Maynard Ferguson, as well as compositions by bandleader Nelson and pianist and UConn professor Earl MacDonald. June, 2017 Friday, June 2, 2017 – 8pm – $35 / $30 Series / $30 SCSU Faculty/Staff, Active Alumni with valid ID (Limit 2) / $20 SCSU students with valid ID (Limit 2) CANDY DULFER WITH SPECIAL GUEST GRACE KELLY John Lyman Center for the Performing Arts - Southern Connecticut State University - 501 Crescent Street - New Haven 203-392-SCSU Dutch saxophonist Candy Dulfer is known around the world for her powerful and high-energy concerts. She’ll be bringing a super band and horn section that is going to bring the house down! Opening for Candy’s performance is singer and saxophone player Grace Kelly, a 24-year-old winner of the 2016 Annual Downbeat Critics Poll (as a rising star in the alto sax category ) You get a chance to see why she was snagged a spot as a regular on The Late Show with Stephen Colbert’s band! Friday, June 2, 2017 - 8:30 pm ($20) and 10 pm ($15) BRANDON SEABROOK Firehouse 12 - 45 Crown Street - New Haven This event takes place in the unusually intimate setting of the venue's acoustically engineered recording studio, which the New York Times' Nate Chinen has called "the pre-eminent spot for improvised music in the region.” Tickets can be purchased online at http://firehouse12.com or by phone at (203) 785-0468, or in person at the box office beginning at 7 pm. the night of the show (subject to availability). Sunday, June 4, 2017 – 7:30pm - $49 / $69 SPYRO GYRA Infinity Hall Hartford - 32 Front Street – Downtown Hartford 866-666-6306 Spyro Gyra returns to Hartford!! For over 40 years, and with more than 30 Albums that have sold over 10 million copies, these multi-Grammy nominated fusion-jazz-funk giants refuse to slow down, and continue to delight audiences the world-over!! You don’t want to miss this show!! Friday, June 9, 2017 – 8:30pm - $74 / $104 AN EVENING WITH PAT METHENY W/ ANTONIO SANCHEZ, LINDA MAY HAN OH, GWILYM SIMCOCK Infinity Hall Hartford - 32 Front Street – Downtown Hartford 866-666-6306 20-time Grammy-Award winning jazz guitarist and composer, Pat Metheny comes to Hartford!! For those of you who couldn’t get in to his two sold-out shows in our beautiful Norfolk venue, here is your chance to experience the legend himself!! Joining Pat will be his long-time collaborator, 4-time Grammy-Award winning drummer and composer, Antonio Sanchez, as well as Award-winning musicians Linda May Han Oh on bass and Gwilym Simock on piano. Friday, June 9, 2017 - 8:30 pm ($20) and 10 pm ($15) BASSDRUMBONE Firehouse 12 - 45 Crown Street - New Haven This event takes place in the unusually intimate setting of the venue's acoustically engineered recording studio, which the New York Times' Nate Chinen has called "the pre-eminent spot for improvised music in the region.” Tickets can be purchased online at http://firehouse12.com or by phone at (203) 785-0468, or in person at the box office beginning at 7 pm. the night of the show (subject to availability). Sunday, June 11, 2017 – 8pm - $35-40 TROMBONE SHORTY & ORLEANS AVENUE College Street Music Hall - 238 College Street - New Haven This event is General Admission Standing Room on the Floor and Reserved Seated in the Loge Balcony. July, 2017 Thursday, July 6 – Sunday, July 9, 2017 MONTREAL JAZZ WEEKEND - SPACE IS LIMITED! BOOK NOW! Montreal, Canada Contact: Tonya Knight, 860-922-7220, tonanite@gmail.com Package Includes: Round Trip First Class Motorcoach Transportation * 3 Nights Quality Accommodations at the Newly Renovated Holiday Inn Select Montreal Centre-Ville - www.yul-downtown.hiselect.com * 235 rooms * Health & Fitness Center * Indoor Heated Swimming Pool, Sauna, Whirlpool * Spa Facilities * Full Buffet Breakfast each morning Transportation to the Casino de Montreal - Friday evening Hotel taxes and Gratuities DISCOUNT PRICE PER PERSON $750 per person based on 1 per room $480 per person based on 2 per room $395 per person based on 3 per room $360 per person based on 4 per room Passports are needed Bus Departs: 8:00AM From: Windsor Commuter Lot, Windsor Ct (Rte 218) Next to Mt. St. Benedict’s Cemetery Make checks or money orders payable to: Tonya Knight Mail payments to: Tonya Knight P.O. Box 232011 Hartford, CT 06123 Payment schedule per person: March 1st100.00; April 1st $100.00; May 1 $100.00; June 1st balance in full Deposits are non-refundable unless trip is cancelled Saturday, July 22, 2017 - 7:30pm - $38 GLENN MILLER ORCHESTRA The Ridgefield Playhouse - 80 East Ridge Road - Ridgefield 203-438 5795 A legend lives on! The World Famous Glenn Miller Orchestra returns to the Playhouse! With its unique jazz sound, the 18-member Glenn Miller Orchestra is considered one of the greatest bands of all time. Under the baton of Music Director/vocalist Nick Hilscher, the consummate entertainers will play and sing selections from the vast Glenn Miller Orchestra library including all of the biggest hits that were the soundtrack of The Greatest Generation — “Moonlight Serenade,” “A String of Pearls,” “Chattanooga Choo-Choo,” “Pennsylvania 6-5000,” “At Last,” “Tuxedo Junction,” “In The Mood,” “Stardust,” “Rhapsody in Blue,” plus some more modern selections arranged and performed in the Miller style. August, 2017 September, 2017 October, 2017 November, 2017 December, 2017 Other Regional Jazz Calendars Connecticut
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