by Ken Laster
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The 52nd consecutive year of Paul Brown Monday Night Jazz wrapped up with some adventurous free jazz from the OGJB Quartet. The avant garde sounds emanating from the pavillion came from the venerable masters Lake, Haynes, Fonda and Altschul. They thrilled thousands in attendance for this finale of 6 wonderful evenings of jazz music and communal gatherings in Bushnell Park.
Throughout the series, the weather mostly cooperated with only one rain-soaked evening. For the other 5 shows, beautiful summer nights and the anticipation of hearing great music, brought crowds of nearly 2,000 people to some of these events. For those who couldn’t make it to the park, West Hartford’s WWUH radio simulcast each concert. People brought their own picnic baskets, or purchased from Black Eyed Sally’s tent. As always, the PBMNJ crowds were peaceful, diverse and appreciative of the great music and environment that this concert series is known for.
The Hartford Jazz Society programming committee put together a slate of musical performances that captured the wide spectrum of artistry that makes up the jazz genre. Opening acts were local favorites that call Hartford their home base. The headliners ran the gamut of professionals on the rise to jazz “stardom” (Dezron Douglas, Darryl Yokley), to the grand masters that have shaped jazz music over long careers (Oliver Lake, Barry Altschul, Antonio Hart). Several nights featured a theme such as Hartford Jazz heroes (Jovan Alexandre, Dezron Douglas), Latin Jazz (Orquest Espada, Elio Vilafranca), Roy Hargrove Tribute (Matt Chasen, Antonio Hart), venerated masters (OGJB) and Women led ensembles (Jocelyn Pleasant Lost Tribe, Sheri Winston).
Elio Villafranca Quartet
Antonio Hart
For me, some of the most memorable performances were Cuban born Elio Villafranca and Antonio Hart. The evening for latin jazz night was under threatening storm conditions, yet a couple hundred or so diehard music fans were not deterred. Those that persisted through the heavy downpours were all invited up on the stage, and the Elio Villafranca Quartet put on an intimate show and intense performance with the audience flanked on either side of the band just a few feet away. It was a wonderful and unique way to see a concert.
Antonio Hart brought an all-star band with him to remember the music of the late Roy Hargrove. Antonio not only played the music, but recounted tales of his relationship with Hargrove and conveyed the influence of a man that gave so much of himself to the music and to other young musicians that he mentored and collaborated with throughout his lifetime.
In conjunction with PBMNJ, the Jazz Society conducted the Emerging Artist Showcase. This contest featured over a dozen aspiring jazz artists that posted their videos on HJS’s website. Jazz fans voted for their favorite. The final voting took place over the six weeks of the concert series. With over 1,600 votes cast, the winner was saxophonist Dakota Austin. Congrats to Dakota and all the participants and those that viewed the videos and voted.
In all, the 52nd Paul Brown Monday Night Series was a success on all fronts. From the beautiful summer evenings, to the artistry of the music presented, to the fun and communal atmosphere, the PBMNJ hit a high note during the 2019 summer months in Hartford.
See the entire photo gallery here.
photos by Maurice D. Robertson
