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DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20260116T200000
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20260116T223000
DTSTAMP:20260424T101852
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SUMMARY:Haneef Nelson Quintet
DESCRIPTION:Haneef Nelson – Trumpet \nNathan Edwards – Tenor Saxophone \nAndrew Wilcox – Piano \nLuques Curtis – Bass \nAkin Hobson – Drums \nHaneef N. Nelson works as a Composer/Arranger\, Bandleader\, Sideman\, Musical Curator\, and Educator based out of Hartford\, CT. He was introduced to the trumpet at age 12 and has stuck with it ever since. His earliest education in Jazz came from the Jazzmobile where he studied with Eddie Preston\, Cecil Bridgewater\, and Donald Byrd among others. He also studied with Dave Burns at the Long Island High School of the Arts and then attended The Hartt School to study with Jackie McLean\, Raymond Williams\, Steve Davis and Nat Reeves as well as other faculty. \nHis passion for the music also brought him to the classroom to teach the cultural significance of the music known as Jazz. He has taught at The Hartt School\, UMASS Amherst\, Amherst College\, Keene State College and currently teaches at the University of Rhode Island. In addition to his own groups\, he is a long-standing member of several other bands in multiple genres. He has also had the honor of sharing the stage with the likes of Rene McLean\, Bill Saxton\, Jimmy Owens\, Donald Byrd\, William Cepeda\, Wilson “Chembo” Corniel\, Nat Reeves\, Steve Davis\, Yoron Israel\, Avery Sharpe\, Winard Harper\, Frank Lacy\, Bill Lowe\, Chico Freeman\, Helen Sung\, Wayne Escoffrey\, Kris Allen\, Abraham Burton\, E.J. Strickland\, Brandee Younger\, Dezron Douglas\, David Bryant\, Stacey Dillard\, Zaccai Curtis\, Luques Curtis\, Ray McMorrin\, Josh Evans\, Doobie Powell\, Billy “Church Boy” Powell\, Kevin Powell\, Ace Livingstone\, and Musiq Soulchild among many others.
URL:https://hartfordjazzsociety.com/event/haneef-nelson-quintet/
LOCATION:Side Door Jazz Club\, 85 Lyme Street\, Old Lyme\, CT\, United States
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20260111T200000
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20260111T223000
DTSTAMP:20260424T101852
CREATED:20251229T155411Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20251229T155411Z
UID:10007506-1768161600-1768170600@hartfordjazzsociety.com
SUMMARY:Delfeayo Marsalis & the Uptown Jazz Orchestra
DESCRIPTION:Uptown Jazz Orchestra’s mission is to promote the rich cultural legacy of American music through both entertaining and educational performances. Our educational shows are designed to give young people a greater awareness of important historical figures and musical traditions. All other shows are designed specifically with the intent of folks having a good time … hands clapping\, toes tapping and rump shaking! \n“The UJO sound [combines] the dance-first sensibility of the Dirty Dozen Brass Band crossed with Count Basie’s early riff bands and post-1952 ‘New Testament’ orchestras [and] the sophisticated dialects of Ellington\, Mingus\, Coltrane and Kenny Kirkland.” – Ted Panken\, DownBeat \nIn 2007\, NEA Jazz Master and Grammy Award winning trombonist Delfeayo Marsalis formed the Uptown Jazz Orchestra (UJO) for the purpose of keeping important jazz music traditions alive; such as riff-playing\, spontaneous group improvisations\, and collective New Orleans instrumental polyphony. At the time\, Marsalis realized that the New Orleans music community was lacking the infusion of young homegrown talent outside of the great brass band tradition\, and chose to form an orchestra that could present traditional\, classic\, and modern compositions with authenticity. Since that time\, UJO has grown into one of the premier large ensembles in the world\, releasing three CDs to critical acclaim\, and touring locally\, nationally\, and internationally. \n“Delfeayo is\, in many ways\, the most fun of the Marsalises.” – The Buffalo News \nIn 2008\, Marsalis founded the educational program\, “Swinging with the Cool School” (a soft introduction to jazz for hip tots and adults)\, which was used as an experimental form of music therapy at the New Orleans Children Hospital. The Cool School has since expanded to introduce live instrumental jazz to students around the country\, with the intent of helping young people develop a relationship with music that has gradually disappeared from mainstream radio and media at large. Through these performances\, UJO is able to introduce students (and adults) to the wide emotional range of instrumental music. \nSince 2021\, UJO has produced the annual Jazz at Congo Square Festival (JACS) to celebrate New Orleans culture by presenting live performances of musicians\, poets\, dancers\, and Black Masking Indians to local and visiting audiences. JACS Festival also features local food\, arts & craft vendors. Marsalis and the Uptown Jazz Orchestra plan to continue using the great legacy of American music to engage and hopefully inspire the younger generations for many years.
URL:https://hartfordjazzsociety.com/event/delfeayo-marsalis-the-uptown-jazz-orchestra/
LOCATION:Side Door Jazz Club\, 85 Lyme Street\, Old Lyme\, CT\, United States
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20260110T200000
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20260110T223000
DTSTAMP:20260424T101852
CREATED:20251229T155131Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20251229T155155Z
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SUMMARY:Boss Baritones Ft Gary Smulyan & Frank Basile
DESCRIPTION:Gary Smulyan – Baritone Saxophone \nFrank Basile – Baritone Saxophone \nSteve Ash – Piano \nMike Karn – Bass \nJason Tiemann – Drums \nInspired by the rich history of the great 2-tenor pairings in jazz (think Lester Young & Herschel Evans\, Gene Ammons & Sonny Stitt\, Lockjaw Davis & Johnny Griffin\, and Al Cohn & Zoot Sims)\, the Boss Baritones continue this tradition\, but with the pairing of the tenor saxophone’s lower pitched baritone brethren.​ \nSo who are these “Boss Baritones?” Locking horns in the front line are two of today’s finest exponents and practitioners of the baritone saxophone in jazz: Gary Smulyan and Frank Basile.​ \nGary Smulyan has been steadily polishing his craft for over 40 years and is all but unanimously regarded as today’s leading baritone saxophonist. Since filling the baritone chair in Woody Herman’s Young Thundering Herd in 1978\, Smulyan has gone on to perform with virtually every important name in jazz since. A sampling of this lofty company includes the Mel Lewis Jazz Orchestra\, the Gene Harris Superband\, B.B. King\, Joe Henderson\, Freddie Hubbard\, Michel Camilo\, the Carnegie Hall Jazz Band\, Cedar Walton\, Joe Lovano\, George Coleman\, the Mingus Big Band\, and Dave Holland. A favorite of critics and peers alike\, Smulyan has consistently topped polls in Downbeat\, Jazz Times\, and with the Jazz Journalists Association for the past two decades. Smulyan is a 6-time Grammy winner. \nFrank Basile made his way on to the New York scene in 2001 after his studies at the University of North Texas and a brief stint at the Juilliard School. He has since forged his own path following in the footsteps of his mentors such as Smulyan. Dubbed a “prized sideman” by The New Yorker\, Basile has been called upon to perform with the Vanguard Jazz Orchestra\, the Dizzy Gillespie All-Star Big Band\, the Jimmy Heath Big Band\, the Bob Mintzer Big Band\, the Jon Faddis Jazz Orchestra\, the Christian McBride Big Band\, the Count Basie Orchestra\, and the Duke Ellington Orchestra. As a “rising star\,” Basile has consistently appeared in the Downbeat critic’s poll since 2014. \nThe Boss Baritones made their debut the weekend of March 6-7\, 2020 at Smalls Jazz Club in New York City. This was an auspicious start for the band\, but one week later\, the Coronavirus pandemic would officially put it all on hold. Since the easing of restrictions and the return of normal aspects to life\, the Boss Baritones have been regaining their momentum with performances in the New York City area (including numerous return engagements at Smalls) as well as their eponymous debut recording on Steeplechase Records.
URL:https://hartfordjazzsociety.com/event/boss-baritones-ft-gary-smulyan-and-frank-basile/
LOCATION:Side Door Jazz Club\, 85 Lyme Street\, Old Lyme\, CT\, United States
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20260109T200000
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20260109T223000
DTSTAMP:20260424T101852
CREATED:20251229T154902Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20251229T154902Z
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SUMMARY:Hamilton de Holanda Trio
DESCRIPTION:Hamilton de Holanda – Mandolin \nSalomâo Soares – Piano \nBig Rabello – Drums \nHamilton de Holanda is one of Brazil’s most celebrated musicians—a global ambassador\, virtuoso performer\, and groundbreaking improviser. Picking up the mandolin at the age of five\, he redefined the 10-string version of the instrument\, transforming it into a versatile voice that bridges the worlds of jazz\, choro\, and beyond. \nThe foundation of his music comes from a combination of family encouragement\, formal training with a university degree in composition\, and the freedom of Brasília’s choro street jams\, where he grew up. \nA four-time Latin Grammy winner with 17 nominations—including a Grammy nod for Best Latin Jazz Album—Hamilton is a multi-award-winning musician. In Brazil\, he has achieved star status\, earning widespread acclaim from critics\, peers\, and audiences alike. \nRecognized for his unique approach to improvisation and electrifying stage presence\, Hamilton’s influence continues to grow. In 2024 alone\, he achieved 14 million streams across 180 countries and reached over 800\,000 monthly listeners on Spotify. \nIn addition to his career as a performer\, Hamilton was one of the founders of the world’s first Choro School\, established in Brasília in 1997. He also spearheaded a petition to Brazil’s National Congress to establish a National Day of Choro\, helping to secure the genre’s cultural legacy. \nHamilton’s career is defined by his ability to blend Brazilian traditions with global sounds. His collaborations include music legends such as Wynton Marsalis\, Chick Corea\, Milton Nascimento\, Djavan\, Gonzalo Rubalcaba\, Dave Matthews\, John Paul Jones (Led Zeppelin)\, and Hermeto Pascoal. \nHe has performed on some of the world’s most iconic stages\, including the Grand Palais in Paris\, the Smithsonian in Washington\, and the Jean Paul Getty Museum in Los Angeles\, as well as at renowned music festivals such as Montreux Jazz\, Newport Jazz\, Montreal\, Umbria Jazz\, Marciac\, and North Sea Jazz\, among others. His performances have also marked historic moments\, including the opening ceremony of the Rio 2016 Summer Games and a private concert for world leaders at the G20 Summit\, where he captivated kings\, presidents\, and prime ministers from countries such as the USA\, France\, Germany\, Canada\, India\, Brazil\, and many others. \nHis upcoming live album\, recorded in the U.S. with the Hamilton de Holanda Trio\, is set to be released in late March 2025. This new work adds to his extensive discography of over 40 albums\, most of which were released independently. Over the years\, he has also partnered with prestigious labels such as ECM and Universal\, and he is currently signed to Sony Brasil. The album will feature his signature fusion of Brazilian roots and jazz improvisation\, with special guest Chris Potter adding a unique dimension to the project. \nHamilton’s music connects cultures\, celebrates diversity\, and pushes the boundaries of sound\, solidifying his place as a true innovator and cultural ambassador.
URL:https://hartfordjazzsociety.com/event/hamilton-de-holanda-trio/
LOCATION:Side Door Jazz Club\, 85 Lyme Street\, Old Lyme\, CT\, United States
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20251231T203000
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20251231T235900
DTSTAMP:20260424T101852
CREATED:20251129T023419Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20251129T023419Z
UID:10007352-1767213000-1767225540@hartfordjazzsociety.com
SUMMARY:New Years Eve w/ Michelle Lordi/Matthew Parrish Quartet
DESCRIPTION:8:30PM and 10:45PM sets (Tickets sold separately) \nCelebrate New Years Eve with an amazing Jazz Quartet featuring Vocalist Michelle Lordi and Bassist Matthew Parrish! \nThis show will have a 1 drink minimum per person \nMichelle Lordi – Vocals \nMatthew Parrish – Bass \nVincent Bourgeyx – Piano \nByron Landham – Drums \nJazz bassist Matthew Parrish has ‘come into his own’ as a sought after performer\, arranger\, composer\, producer and instructor. Matthew brings skills and s wing as he puts his heart into every note he plays. He has a genuine warmth and loyalty to the music that transcends into every note\, every tune\, and every interaction with his fellow musicians. \nBorn in central California to hard-working\, music-loving parents of four children\, Matthew is the youngest to his next sibling by eleven years. With a variety of jazz\, rock\, and classical music being played around him since birth\, whether live or recorded\, and a father who played acoustic bass early in his military career\, Matt was destined for a life dedicated to music. Although he started on trumpet in middle school\, he switched from that instrument for the acoustic bass in a last minute decision of the heart right before his Rutgers Mason Gross School of the Arts music program audition. He was accepted as an acoustic bass student in jazz studies and he has never stopped learning his craft. \nMatt’s young bass career is grounded in Philadelphia\, PA. He had the blessing\, in his late teens and early twenties\, of performing with Shirley Scott\, Mickey Roker\, Bobby Durham\, Cecil Payne\, Johnny Coles\, Harry ‘Sweets’ Edison\, Sylvia Simms\, Danny Turner\, and fellow young musicians\, Orrin Evans and Byron Landham. Matthew went on to have the unforgettable experience of touring with legendary trombonist\, Al Grey. This era also included performing with Clark Terry\, Marion McPartland\, Dr. Lonnie Smith\, Lou Donaldson\, Joe Cohn\, Savion Glover\, and Bill Charlap. \nAfter the sad passing of Al\, an important mentor and friend\, Matthew continued to tour with the bands of Greg Osby\, Jon Jang\, James Newton\, Stefon Harris\, and Regina Carter. Matt came to be relied upon as a gifted composer and arranger in addition to his steady performing. His own works\, as played by Matt on bass\, are on his debut CD\, ‘Circles’ (Hipnotic Records)\, as well as on recordings from Regina Carter and Dave Leonhardt\, Denise Montana\, and Ben Schachter. \nMatthew also has recorded with musicians such as Wynton Marsalis\, Dee Dee Bridgewater\, Paquito D’Rivera\, Clark Terry\, Etta Jones\, James Williams\, Harry ‘Sweets’ Edison\, James Newton\, Miri Ben-Ari\, Gary Thomas\, Vana Gierig\, Orrin Evans\, and Houston Person \nVocalist Michelle Lordi has received international accolades and heavy rotation on jazz radio stations in the US and abroad for her recording projects\, “Drive” (2015) and “Dream A Little Dream” ( 2017)\,“Break Up With The Sound“(2019) and “ Two Moons” ( 2023) \nWhether she’s performing with bebop jazz legends\, exploring experimental soundscapes in her original music or delivering her taut\, mesmerizing jazz interpretations of pop ballads\, Lordi’s profound love of the music she chooses to sing and the musicians she creates with is evident in every note of her vividly expressive and elegantly communicative voice. \nMichelle has performed in performance venues\, jazz clubs and festivals across the US such as the Mann Music Center\, The Kimmel Center\, The Deer Head Inn\, Chris’ Jazz Café\, Philadelphia Museum of Art\, South\, Zlock Performing Arts Center (PA)\, 55 Bar\, Birdland\, Cornelia Street Café\, Jazz Forum\, Maureen’s\, Mezzrow\, Minton’s\, SMOKE Jazz & Supper Club\, Smalls\,(NY)\, DazzleJazz (CO) \, BluJazz\, Bop Stop (OH) The Drake (MA) Cliff Bell’s\, Dirty Dog Jazz Café\, (MI) The Jazz Cruise (FL) & Le Duc Des Lombards (France) \nIn 2019 Michelle Lordi was nominated in three categories ( Best Band\, Rising Star & Female Jazz Vocalist) in the Hot House New York City Readers Jazz Awards. She has performed and/or recorded with musical luminaries such as Orrin Evans\, Sumi Tonooka\, Eric Wortham II\, JD Allen\, Rudresh Mahanthappa\, Larry McKenna\, Greg Osby\, Houston Person\, Matthew Parrish\, Buster Williams\, Eric Revis\, Ben Wolfe\, Matt Davis\, Nir Felder\, Steve Cardenas\, Ian Macaulay\, Tim Motzer\, Miles Okazaki\, Sonny Troy\, Nasheet Waits\, Gene Jackson\, Jerome Jennings\, Donald Edwards\, Wayne Smith\, Jr. EJ Strickland\, Rudy Royston and many others. Lordi has also collaborated with producer/guitarist Warren Defever ( His Name Is Alive).
URL:https://hartfordjazzsociety.com/event/new-years-eve-w-michelle-lordi-matthew-parrish-quartet/
LOCATION:Side Door Jazz Club\, 85 Lyme Street\, Old Lyme\, CT\, United States
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20251227T200000
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20251227T223000
DTSTAMP:20260424T101852
CREATED:20251129T022725Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20251129T022725Z
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SUMMARY:Nat Reeves Trio w/ Jordan Williams & Jeff "Tain" Watts
DESCRIPTION:Join us for a special night of jazz with Bassist Nat Reeves and his Trio! \nNat Reeves – Bass \nJordan Williams – Piano \nJeff “Tain” Watts – Drums \nFor over 40 years\, Nat Reeves has been one of the top bassists in jazz. His supportive and stimulating playing has uplifted a countless number of sessions and recording dates (most notably with the great altoists Jackie McLean and Kenny Garrett). He has lead his own CDs State of Emergency and Blue Ridge. Both as a performer and an educator\, he has made a strong impact on the jazz world. \nNat Reeves was born and raised in Lynchburg\, Virginia. “My grandfather played the banjo\, mandolin and guitar. One day I picked up his guitar and started playing the bass part. He noticed and\, for my 16th birthday\, he bought me an electric bass.” Nat had grown up hearing bluegrass\, rock and soul records but did not get an opportunity to listen to jazz until he was already a bassist. “As a teenager\, I listened closely to the radio\, learning everything by ear. Originally I gravitated towards soul artists such as Marvin Gaye and the music of the time. In high school\, I worked for a time with a band called the Dynatones. We learned all of the top 40 songs as soon as they came out. Whenever a new hit record was released\, we would purchase the recording\, go in the basement\, put it on the turntable\, and learn the song. Quite often the same day we would play the song for dances.” \nNat admired Stanley Clarke\, Jaco Pastorius and all of the top electric bassists of the time\, being interested in all of the styles. “As a bassist it is my function to concentrate on the foundation of the band and make everybody else sound good. To become a better bass player and learn more about the instrument\, I started listening to jazz. In jazz there is much more freedom to create one’s own bass part and to develop my own bass sound. It is my job to always learn and not merely play the bass but be a bass player\, projecting more than just my notes and always sounding fresh and alive.” \nWhen he was 22 and living in Richmond\, Virginia\, Nat joined a band led by trumpeter Tom Mitchell and guitarist Randy Johnston. Johnny Coles\, trumpeter for Ray Charles who frequently sat in with the band\, convinced Nat to switch to acoustic bass. Without taking a lesson\, Nat taught himself the new instrument and quickly developed his own individual voice. \nIn 1979\, Nat Reeves moved to New York City. “I listened\, played on the streets\, listened some more\, and learned. It was at the same time that Kenny Garrett\, Mulgrew Miller\, Tony Reedus and James Williams also came to New York. We were all friends and played together.” He first toured with Sonny Stitt in 1982 during what would be the great saxophonist’s last tour. That year he met Jackie McLean\, who became his mentor.
URL:https://hartfordjazzsociety.com/event/nat-reeves-trio-w-jordan-williams-jeff-tain-watts/
LOCATION:Side Door Jazz Club\, 85 Lyme Street\, Old Lyme\, CT\, United States
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20251226T200000
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20251226T223000
DTSTAMP:20260424T101852
CREATED:20251129T022436Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20251129T022436Z
UID:10007350-1766779200-1766788200@hartfordjazzsociety.com
SUMMARY:Duke Robillard Quartet
DESCRIPTION:Join us for a special night of jazz with Guitarist Duke Robbilard and his Quartet! \nDuke Robillard – Guitar \nDoug James – Saxophone \nMarty Ballou – Bass \nMark Teixeira – Drums \nMichael John “Duke” Robillard is a distinguished American blues guitarist\, vocalist\, songwriter\, producer\, and educator\, renowned for his versatility across blues\, jazz\, swing\, and R&B. Born on October 4\, 1948\, in Woonsocket\, Rhode Island\, he co-founded the influential band Roomful of Blues in 1967\, which played a pivotal role in reviving jump blues and R&B. \nRobillard’s career spans over five decades\, during which he has released numerous solo albums\, collaborated with iconic artists\, and earned multiple accolades. \nHis Grammy nominations include Best Contemporary Blues Album for Guitar Groove-a-Rama (2007) and Best Traditional Blues Album for Stomp! The Blues Tonight (2010). \nHe has been honored with the W.C. Handy Award (now Blues Music Award) for Best Blues Guitarist in 2000\, 2001\, 2003\, and 2004\, and received the Keeping the Blues Alive Award for Producer of the Year in 2004. \nRobillard’s collaborations are extensive and diverse. He has recorded and performed with legends such as Bob Dylan (appearing on Time Out of Mind)\, Tom Waits\, Ruth Brown\, Jay McShann\, Pinetop Perkins\, and Jimmy Witherspoon. \nAdditionally\, he has worked with Maria Muldaur\, John Hammond\, and produced albums for artists like Joe Louis Walker\, Billy Boy Arnold\, and Otis Clay. \nIn 1990\, Robillard replaced Jimmie Vaughan in The Fabulous Thunderbirds\, further showcasing his adaptability and skill. He has also been a member of The Legendary Blues Band\, which included former members of Muddy Waters’ bands\, and has led his own group\, The Duke Robillard Band\, later known as The Pleasure Kings. \nBeyond performing\, Robillard is a respected producer and educator. He has produced albums for various artists and has been involved in music education\, sharing his knowledge and passion for blues and jazz. \nRobillard’s contributions to music have been recognized with multiple awards\, including Grammy nominations and Blues Music Awards. His influence continues to resonate in the blues community\, and he remains an active performer and recording artist.
URL:https://hartfordjazzsociety.com/event/duke-robillard-quartet/
LOCATION:Side Door Jazz Club\, 85 Lyme Street\, Old Lyme\, CT\, United States
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20251220T200000
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20251220T223000
DTSTAMP:20260424T101852
CREATED:20251129T022156Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20251129T022156Z
UID:10007349-1766260800-1766269800@hartfordjazzsociety.com
SUMMARY:Eddie Allen's Jazzy Brass for the Holidays
DESCRIPTION:Join us for a special night of jazz with Trumpeter Eddie Allen and his band\, which will be spreading the Holiday Cheer! \nEddie Allen – Trumpet \nMark McGowan – Trumpet \nAmie Amis – French Horn \nJerrick Matthews – Trombone \nOscar Perez – Piano \nRichie Goods – Bass \nJerome Jennings – Drums \n– CRITIC’S REVIEW – \nA smart holiday set that might have some fat playing but certainly doesn’t show any schmaltz- Chris Spector Midwest Record \nNew Yorker Eddie Allen has assembled a sassy brass quartet (plus acoustic bass and some percussion)\, generating white heat and a slow burn for the holidays. ChristmasReviews.com–Carol Swanson \nTrumpeter Allen has conviction in what he’s doing. Refusing to stoop to weak sentiment\, he communicates his sense of uplift when refurbishing “We Three Kings”\, “O Holy Night” and a dozen more classics. –Downbeat Magazine Frank Hadley \nHere\, Allen has chosen to go the jazzy route from the outset on the pop material. For the carols\, he makes use of the brass quartet to state the melody\, but then allows the individual horn players to follow their improvisational imagination. It makes for an interesting mix that is a pleasant and lively change of pace from most jazz Christmas albums. –Jersey Jazz Joe Lang
URL:https://hartfordjazzsociety.com/event/eddie-allens-jazzy-brass-for-the-holidays/
LOCATION:Side Door Jazz Club\, 85 Lyme Street\, Old Lyme\, CT\, United States
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20251219T200000
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20251219T223000
DTSTAMP:20260424T101852
CREATED:20251129T021835Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20251129T021835Z
UID:10007348-1766174400-1766183400@hartfordjazzsociety.com
SUMMARY:Camille Thurman w/ Darrell Green Quartet
DESCRIPTION:Join us for a special night of jazz with Saxophonist/Vocalist Camille Thurman\, performing with Drummer Darrell Green and his Quartet! \nAs a composer\, multi-instrumentalist\, vocalist\, and unique interpreter of the jazz tradition\, Camille Thurman is quickly becoming one of the standard bearers for the form\, making a considerable and dynamic contribution to the legacy of jazz while paying tribute to its heroes. Fluid and powerful on the tenor saxophone and highly inventive as a vocalist\, she also plays bass clarinet\, flute\, and piccolo. Her rich sax sound has been compared to Joe Henderson and Dexter Gordon\, while her vocal approach—including an impressive scatting ability—has been classified alongside those of Ella Fitzgerald and Betty Carter. \nIn a few short years\, Thurman has shared stages with Janelle Monáe\, Alicia Keys\, Lalah Hathaway\, Jill Scott\, Erykah Badu\, Roy Haynes\, Dianne Reeves\, Kenny Barron\, Dr. Lonnie Smith\, Terri Lyne Carrington\, Jon Batiste\, Diana Krall\, Patti LaBelle\, Gladys Knight\, Chaka Khan\, Nicholas Payton\, The Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra (JALCO) featuring Wynton Marsalis\, and Buster Williams\, among many others. \nThe New York City native has already amassed several distinctive honors for her musicianship: runner up in the 2013 Sarah Vaughan International Vocal Competition\, two-time winner of the ASCAP Herb Alpert Young Jazz Composers Award and a winner of the Fulbright Scholars Cultural Ambassador Grant\, The Chamber Music of America Performance Plus Grant (Sponsored by the Dorris Duke Charitable Foundation) and the Jazz Coalition Composers Grant among others. Thurman also has four full-length recordings as a leader to her credit. \nHer compositions were featured and performed by her quartet in the ASCAP/The Kennedy Center Songwriters: The Next Generation showcase as well as the Greenwich School of Music’s Uncharted Series. Camille has appeared on BET’s Black Girls Rock as the saxophonist and flutist in the All-Star Band. Equally adept as a player and a singer\, and recognized for her compositional abilities as well\, Thurman has also earned accolades from the media\, from JazzTimes to Downbeat\, All About Jazz to the New York Times\, NPR to Sirius XM Satellite Radio\, BET to Jazz Night In America. \nThurman was chosen by the State Department under the Fulbright Scholarship grant to perform in Paraguay and Nicaragua with her band. She and Darrell Green were selected by American Music Aboard to travel and perform in various African nations including Cameroon\, Mozambique\, Nigeria\, Senegal\, and Mauritania.
URL:https://hartfordjazzsociety.com/event/camille-thurman-w-darrell-green-quartet/
LOCATION:Side Door Jazz Club\, 85 Lyme Street\, Old Lyme\, CT\, United States
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20251214T180000
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20251214T220000
DTSTAMP:20260424T101852
CREATED:20251129T021436Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20251129T021552Z
UID:10007347-1765735200-1765749600@hartfordjazzsociety.com
SUMMARY:Eric Mintel Quartet: Charlie Brown Jazz
DESCRIPTION:6PM and 8PM sets (Tickets sold separately) \nNelson Hill – Saxophone \nEric Mintel – Piano \nJack Hegyi – Bass \nDave Mohn – Drums \nEric Mintel has played the piano all his life. Career highlights include two performances by invitation at the White House\, several concerts at the Kennedy Center and a special concert at the United Nations. Eric was a featured guest on Marian McPartland’s award winning program Piano Jazz on NPR and his music is regularly played on XM and Sirius radio. Jazz legend Dave Brubeck has said “As long as the music attracts dedicated young musicians like Eric Mintel\, jazz will continue to thrive and progress as a voice of freedom”. Eric Mintel continues to thrill audiences of all ages and continues to connect with people all over the world.
URL:https://hartfordjazzsociety.com/event/eric-mintel-quartet-charlie-brown-jazz/
LOCATION:Side Door Jazz Club\, 85 Lyme Street\, Old Lyme\, CT\, United States
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20251213T200000
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20251213T223000
DTSTAMP:20260424T101852
CREATED:20251129T021130Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20251129T021130Z
UID:10007346-1765656000-1765665000@hartfordjazzsociety.com
SUMMARY:Benny Benack III Quartet: Season's Swingin' Greetings
DESCRIPTION:Join us for a special night of jazz with Trumpeter/Vocalist Benny Benack III and his Quartet! \nBenny Benack III – Trumpet/Vocals \nTyler Henderson – Piano \nAlex Claffy – Bass \nElio Coppola – Drums \nEmmy-nominated Trumpeter and Vocalist Benny Benack III (BBIII) has quickly become a leading voice in Jazz for his generation\, headlining clubs and festivals around the world on the heels of his latest critically acclaimed live album “This Is The Life\,” which has been garnering thousands of streams and topping the JazzWeek Radio Charts. He is the rare talent who is formidable as a fiery trumpeter — ranging from Freddie Hubbard to Louis Armstrong and everyone in between — while as a singer he delivers sly\, mature\, naturally expressive post-Sinatra vocal stylings. \nHis sophomore album “A Lot of Livin’ to Do” (2020) featured the likes of bass luminary Christian McBride\, achieving viral online fame w/his vocalese rendition of “Social Call\,” ft. Veronica Swift\, which has been transcribed and covered by singers around the world. He has crooned his way to millions more listeners alongside groups such as the Grammy-winning “8-Bit Big Band” and YouTube sensation “Postmodern Jukebox”. His 2023 album “Third Time’s the Charm” went all the way to #2 on the charts\, and featured a notable line-up of special guests such as Peter Bernstein\, Bria Skonberg\, Chad LB\, and more. \nBenny’s double-threat credentials were first apparent when he was a finalist in the 2014 Thelonius Monk Competition on trumpet\, before going on to win Third Place in the 2021 Sarah Vaughan Vocal Competition. His resume for both was recently bolstered by Downbeat Magazine’s Readers Poll for 2025\, where he placed #1 for Rising Star Male Vocalist\, and was also #8 for Rising Star Trumpet. \nBBIII’s global recognition has been bolstered by his collaborations with the GRAMMY-award winning “8-Bit Big Band\,” as well as touring with Postmodern Jukebox. The recent advent of live-streaming concerts has also proved a boon\, both through his residency at Smalls Jazz Club\, and frequent appearances at fellow superstar Emmet Cohen’s “Emmet’s Place” online series. Benny has established himself as one of the most in-demand touring artists and music educators in the Jazz world\, with a seemingly unending intercontinental schedule reflecting his indefatigable love for the music\, and with his smile and panache ever on display wherever he goes.
URL:https://hartfordjazzsociety.com/event/benny-benack-iii-quartet-seasons-swingin-greetings/
LOCATION:Side Door Jazz Club\, 85 Lyme Street\, Old Lyme\, CT\, United States
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20251212T200000
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20251212T223000
DTSTAMP:20260424T101852
CREATED:20251129T020840Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20251129T020840Z
UID:10007345-1765569600-1765578600@hartfordjazzsociety.com
SUMMARY:Ricky Ford Quartet
DESCRIPTION:Join us for a special night of jazz with Saxophonist Ricky Ford and his Quartet! \nRicky Ford – Tenor Saxophone \nJohn Kordalweski – Piano \nTony Marino – Bass \nThurman Barker – Drums \nAmerican jazz saxophonist Ricky Ford has played alongside Charles Mingus\, Sonny Rollins\, Lionel Hampton\, Benny Golson… \nRicky Ford\, Jazz Tenor saxophonist\, was born in Boston March 4th\, 1954. He studied saxophone at the New England Conservatory of Music with Joe Allard from 1970 to 1974. Bachelor in Music 83. In 1974 he recorded with Gunther Schuller. Perfomed with Sonny Rollins (1973) at The Jazz Workshop Boston. Ricky joined the Duke Ellington Orchestra under Mercer Ellington from 1974 to 1976. Charles Mingus (1976-1977)\, Dannie Richmond (1978-1981)\, Lionel Hampton (1981)\, Mingus Dinasty (1982)\, Abdullah Ibrahim 1985. He has recorded extensively as a leader for MUSE\, Candid and jazz Friends. \nHis discography is extensive having recorded with nearly every one in jazz Sonny Stitt\, Red Rodney\, Mc Coy Tyner\, Steve Lacy\, Ran Blake\, Pete Laroca\, Rhoda Scott\, Dannie Richmond\, Benny Golson\, Gerry Mulligan\, Nat Adderly Joe Williams\, Mal Waldron\, Yusef Latif and Betty Carter. Ricky also helped discover various musicians on his cds for Muse records Wallace Rooney\, Roy Hargove\, Christian Mc Bride\, Danilo Perez\, and Jeff Kezzer\, Ricky has held academic affiliations with Brandeis University Masters in Music Composition (1989) and Istanbul Bilgi University (2000 to 2006). He is credited with being one of important teacher to many saxophonists in Turkey today. \nIn 1991 he received the medal of Chevalier des Arts et des Lettres. \nRicky recorded two CDs with the ZE BIGBAND based in Rennes. He commissioned Benny Golson for a composition in Big Band format. They performed together on mezzo tv in 2014. \nRicky Ford has participated in numerous film : Choclate (1988) and No Fear No Die (1990). Ricky Ford Encore is a mid-career documentary by Lionel Boncompagnie.
URL:https://hartfordjazzsociety.com/event/ricky-ford-quartet/
LOCATION:Side Door Jazz Club\, 85 Lyme Street\, Old Lyme\, CT\, United States
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20251207T200000
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20251207T223000
DTSTAMP:20260424T101852
CREATED:20251129T020621Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20251129T020623Z
UID:10007344-1765137600-1765146600@hartfordjazzsociety.com
SUMMARY:Christian Sands Trio
DESCRIPTION:Jazz history is filled with stirring torch songs and ballads — brilliant expressions of suffering after love has gone awry. The jazz record shelf even contains some classic album-long explorations of melancholy. But it’s hard to find precedent in pianist Christian Sands’ new Embracing Dawn\, his fifth full-length effort for Mack Avenue Records. \nSands’ LP is nothing less than a cinematic narration of the stages of grief\, crafted by one of jazz’s finest young composers. It’s a “breakup record\,” to be sure — composed while Sands was experiencing the hurt that only a sudden absence of love can deliver — but it’s so much more. In its thoughtfully assembled nine tracks are a group therapy session\, a guide to healing\, and an understanding that Sands’ deeply personal angst could apply to any person who has lost a partner\, a job\, a loved one\, an opportunity\, the list goes on. In other words\, Embracing Dawn is for everyone. \n“I actually tried not to write this record\,” Sands says with a laugh. “It was painful. I was going through heartbreak\, and I didn’t know what to do — and so I decided to put it all into music. But I knew I wasn’t alone in this feeling. So why not create a safe space for people to go when they’re having this feeling\, when they’re having these thoughts or questions?” \nEmbracing Dawn trails 2023’s acclaimed Christmas Stories and 2020’s GRAMMY-nominated Be Water. Following that album’s release\, the New York Times commented\, “Equipped with a crisp but forceful touch\, he seems always to be flowing in new directions\, integrating elements of prog rock\, gospel and Western classical into a forward-tumbling jazz conception.” Embracing Dawn furthers Sands’ uniquely cultivated jazz language\, where agile post-bop meets soulful bluesy tinges and gorgeous swells of strings. Sands’ love of classical orchestration\, he explains\, is rooted in his lifelong obsession with film. \nUltimately\, Sands’ sound and philosophy are informed by two of his most essential mentors: bass maestro Christian McBride\, who\, as Sands’ longtime employer\, taught him the importance of always being yourself; and the late piano legend Dr. Billy Taylor\, who stressed how crucial it is to connect jazz to a wide-ranging audience. “I want Embracing Dawn to be something you gravitate toward because of the story\,” Sands says
URL:https://hartfordjazzsociety.com/event/christian-sands-trio-3/
LOCATION:Side Door Jazz Club\, 85 Lyme Street\, Old Lyme\, CT\, United States
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20251206T200000
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20251206T223000
DTSTAMP:20260424T101852
CREATED:20251129T020457Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20251129T020459Z
UID:10007343-1765051200-1765060200@hartfordjazzsociety.com
SUMMARY:Christian Sands Trio
DESCRIPTION:Jazz history is filled with stirring torch songs and ballads — brilliant expressions of suffering after love has gone awry. The jazz record shelf even contains some classic album-long explorations of melancholy. But it’s hard to find precedent in pianist Christian Sands’ new Embracing Dawn\, his fifth full-length effort for Mack Avenue Records. \nSands’ LP is nothing less than a cinematic narration of the stages of grief\, crafted by one of jazz’s finest young composers. It’s a “breakup record\,” to be sure — composed while Sands was experiencing the hurt that only a sudden absence of love can deliver — but it’s so much more. In its thoughtfully assembled nine tracks are a group therapy session\, a guide to healing\, and an understanding that Sands’ deeply personal angst could apply to any person who has lost a partner\, a job\, a loved one\, an opportunity\, the list goes on. In other words\, Embracing Dawn is for everyone. \n“I actually tried not to write this record\,” Sands says with a laugh. “It was painful. I was going through heartbreak\, and I didn’t know what to do — and so I decided to put it all into music. But I knew I wasn’t alone in this feeling. So why not create a safe space for people to go when they’re having this feeling\, when they’re having these thoughts or questions?” \nEmbracing Dawn trails 2023’s acclaimed Christmas Stories and 2020’s GRAMMY-nominated Be Water. Following that album’s release\, the New York Times commented\, “Equipped with a crisp but forceful touch\, he seems always to be flowing in new directions\, integrating elements of prog rock\, gospel and Western classical into a forward-tumbling jazz conception.” Embracing Dawn furthers Sands’ uniquely cultivated jazz language\, where agile post-bop meets soulful bluesy tinges and gorgeous swells of strings. Sands’ love of classical orchestration\, he explains\, is rooted in his lifelong obsession with film. \nUltimately\, Sands’ sound and philosophy are informed by two of his most essential mentors: bass maestro Christian McBride\, who\, as Sands’ longtime employer\, taught him the importance of always being yourself; and the late piano legend Dr. Billy Taylor\, who stressed how crucial it is to connect jazz to a wide-ranging audience. “I want Embracing Dawn to be something you gravitate toward because of the story\,” Sands says
URL:https://hartfordjazzsociety.com/event/christian-sands-trio-2/
LOCATION:Side Door Jazz Club\, 85 Lyme Street\, Old Lyme\, CT\, United States
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20251205T200000
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20251205T223000
DTSTAMP:20260424T101852
CREATED:20251129T020252Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20251129T020252Z
UID:10007342-1764964800-1764973800@hartfordjazzsociety.com
SUMMARY:Christian Sands Trio
DESCRIPTION:Jazz history is filled with stirring torch songs and ballads — brilliant expressions of suffering after love has gone awry. The jazz record shelf even contains some classic album-long explorations of melancholy. But it’s hard to find precedent in pianist Christian Sands’ new Embracing Dawn\, his fifth full-length effort for Mack Avenue Records. \nSands’ LP is nothing less than a cinematic narration of the stages of grief\, crafted by one of jazz’s finest young composers. It’s a “breakup record\,” to be sure — composed while Sands was experiencing the hurt that only a sudden absence of love can deliver — but it’s so much more. In its thoughtfully assembled nine tracks are a group therapy session\, a guide to healing\, and an understanding that Sands’ deeply personal angst could apply to any person who has lost a partner\, a job\, a loved one\, an opportunity\, the list goes on. In other words\, Embracing Dawn is for everyone. \n“I actually tried not to write this record\,” Sands says with a laugh. “It was painful. I was going through heartbreak\, and I didn’t know what to do — and so I decided to put it all into music. But I knew I wasn’t alone in this feeling. So why not create a safe space for people to go when they’re having this feeling\, when they’re having these thoughts or questions?” \nEmbracing Dawn trails 2023’s acclaimed Christmas Stories and 2020’s GRAMMY-nominated Be Water. Following that album’s release\, the New York Times commented\, “Equipped with a crisp but forceful touch\, he seems always to be flowing in new directions\, integrating elements of prog rock\, gospel and Western classical into a forward-tumbling jazz conception.” Embracing Dawn furthers Sands’ uniquely cultivated jazz language\, where agile post-bop meets soulful bluesy tinges and gorgeous swells of strings. Sands’ love of classical orchestration\, he explains\, is rooted in his lifelong obsession with film. \nUltimately\, Sands’ sound and philosophy are informed by two of his most essential mentors: bass maestro Christian McBride\, who\, as Sands’ longtime employer\, taught him the importance of always being yourself; and the late piano legend Dr. Billy Taylor\, who stressed how crucial it is to connect jazz to a wide-ranging audience. “I want Embracing Dawn to be something you gravitate toward because of the story\,” Sands says
URL:https://hartfordjazzsociety.com/event/christian-sands-trio/
LOCATION:Side Door Jazz Club\, 85 Lyme Street\, Old Lyme\, CT\, United States
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20251129T200000
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20251129T223000
DTSTAMP:20260424T101852
CREATED:20251026T201520Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20251026T201520Z
UID:10006948-1764446400-1764455400@hartfordjazzsociety.com
SUMMARY:Mike Clark Quartet
DESCRIPTION:Craig Handy – Saxophone\nMike LeDonne – Piano\nNat Reeves – Bass\nMike Clark – Drums \nMike Clark gained worldwide recognition as one of America’s foremost jazz and funk drummers while playing with Herbie Hancock’s group in the early 1970s. Mike became known as a major innovator through his incisive playing on Hancock’s Thrust album\, which garnered him an international cult following. \nMike has performed with jazz greats such as Herbie Hancock\, Chet Baker\, Tony Bennett\, Wayne Shorter\, Joe Henderson\, Bobby Hutcherson\, Woody Shaw\, Larry Coryell\, Jack Wilkins\, Wallace Roney\, Geri Allen\, Billy Childs\, James Genus\, Bob Hurst\, Chris Potter\, Onaje Allan Gumbs\, Bobby McFerrin\, Al Jarreau\, Dave Liebman\, Nat Adderly\, Oscar Brown Jr.\, Bill Doggett\, Mose Allison\, Maxine Brown\, Gil Evans and his orchestra\, and did a stint with Brand X\, the acclaimed British fusion band\, founded by Phil Collins. He has performed throughout the world at all the major jazz venues and festivals. \nFeatured in Downbeat\, Musician\, International Musician & Recording World\, Modern Drummer\, Jazz Times\, Guitar Player\, Jazz Is and numerous jazz history and method books\, Mike is a former faculty member of Drummers Collective\, and is a popular and busy clinician around the country. His book Funk Drumming: Innovative Grooves & Advanced Concepts was published last year by Hal Leonard and is a best seller. \nCalled “the most sampled drummer in hip hop\,” Mike’s beats have been used on tracks by musicians as diverse as NWA\, Grandmaster Flash\, Britney Spears\, Prince and many others.\nHis numerous recording credits include albums with Herbie Hancock\, the Headhunters\, Brand X\, Eddie Henderson\, Jack Wilkins\, Mark Puricelli\, Mike Wolff\, and Alien Army\, a group led by guitar great Jack Wilkins. As a bandleader\, his release Give The Drummer Some was very enthusiastically received\, earning a rare four and a half stars in Downbeat\, as was The Funk Stops Here\, a joint effort with Hancock alumni Paul Jackson. In 2001\, his solo CD\, Actual Proof met with critical acclaim\, as did the 2003 acoustic jazz release\, Summertime\, featuring Chris Potter and Billy Childs\, which spent many weeks in the top ten charts. \nOther efforts included a compilation of his legendary\, innovative funk beat samples\, Mike Clark’s The Headhunter\, a re-release of the widely acclaimed Thrust album\, and\, in 1998\, The Return Of The Headhunters\, featuring Herbie Hancock. Next came Herbie Hancock’s Box Set\, featuring Headhunters classics “Actual Proof” and “Butterfly\,” from Thrust\, a few choice cuts from Manchild\, and also some historical tracks from the classic Flood\, previously only available in Japan. The Headhunters’ newest effort\, Evolution/Revolution\, released in 2003\, featured the latest Headhunter configuration\, with original founding members Mike\, Bill Summers and Paul Jackson\, joined by Donald Harrison\, Victor Atkins (Los Hombres Caliente)\, and Nicholas Payton.\nOf his latest endeavor\, a recording as a bandleader with Christian MacBride\, Donald Harrison\, Patrice Rushen\, Jed Levy and Christian Scott\, produced by Talking House Productions\, Mike said it promises to be “some of the most exciting music I’ve ever been involved with.” He’s also featured on Mike Wolff’s latest recording Love And Destruction\, and just got out of the studio with country blues legend Delbert McClinton. \nHis band Prescription Renewal\, which debuted in the winter of 2000\, electrified audiences across the country with an eclectic core of cross generational multi talents such as Charlie Hunter\, Fred Wesley\, Skerik\, Robert Walter\, and DJ Logic\, and always featured stellar special guests such as George Porter Jr. of Funky Meters’ fame\, Kyle Hollingsworth of String Cheese Incident\, Les Claypool\, Will Bernard\, Larry Goldings and fellow Headhunters alumni\, Bill Summers\, and proved a hit on the thriving young jam band scene. Touring concurrently that year and the next was the Roots Funk All Stars\, another hot ad hoc association that married Mike with James Brown trombonist Fred Wesley\, former Headhunter cohort and funk bassist legend Paul Jackson\, Dr. Lonnie Smith and Robben Ford. In 2004 he teamed up for a series of gigs with fellow drumming legend Lenny White in a two drummer powerhouse band called New Brew featuring music inspired by Miles Davis’ landmark recording Bitches Brew. \nMike is currently busy touring with his own Prescription Organ Trio / Duo\, featuring Jerry Z\, doing clinics and performing at clubs and concerts nationwide. He’s also a regular in pianist Mike Wolff’s band\, Impure Thoughts and continues to do Headhunters’ projects around the world. Mike just returned from the annual PASIC convention in Austin\, TX where he performed with fellow drummer Jim Payne to an enthusiastic full house. In 2007\, he has tours booked throughout Europe\, South America\, South Africa and Russia. \nMike’s work continues to influence successive generations of drummers since his explosive arrival on the music scene with Herbie Hancock and the Headhunters.
URL:https://hartfordjazzsociety.com/event/mike-clark-quartet/
LOCATION:Side Door Jazz Club\, 85 Lyme Street\, Old Lyme\, CT\, United States
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20251128T200000
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20251128T223000
DTSTAMP:20260424T101852
CREATED:20251026T201210Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20251026T201210Z
UID:10006947-1764360000-1764369000@hartfordjazzsociety.com
SUMMARY:Steve Davis Quintet Ft Abena Koomson-Davis
DESCRIPTION:Steve Davis – Trombone\nAbena Koomson-Davis – Vocals\nRick Germanson – Piano\nMatt Dwonszyk – Bass\nJonathan Barber – Drums\n\nSteve Davis “Stevie-D” nickname given to him by the late Jackie McLean \nBorn in Worcester\, MA in 1967\, Davis was raised in Binghamton\, NY and graduated in 1989 from Hartt School’s Jackie McLean Institute. It was with McLean’s guidance and recommendation that Davis landed his first major performance with Art Blakey in NYC. In 98’ Steve winning the TDWR (Rising Star) Trombone Category and later named consecutively as Trombonist of the Year by The JJA – (2010-2013). Widely regarded as one of today’s leading voices on the trombone. His lyrical\, hard-swinging style first gained him broad recognition. Steve has released 20 albums including: Think Ahead (2017)\, Say When (2015)\, For Real & Gettin’ It Done (2014) featuring his longtime musical colleagues Larry Willis and Nat Reeves along with drummer Billy Williams\, saxophonists Abraham Burton (For Real)\, Mike DiRubbo and trumpeter Josh Bruneau (Gettin’ It Done)\, in addition to over 100 recordings with names including: Chick Corea\, Freddie Hubbard\, Horace Silver\, Cedar Walton\, Hank Jones. In 2018 his original composition “Optimism” was included in Christian McBride’s Grammy Award winning album “Bringin’ it”. Steve Davis’ latest release with his sextet “Correlations” (label: Smoke Sessions Records) Steve features Joshua Bruneau\, trumpet; Wayne Escoffery\, tenor saxophone; Xavier Davis\, piano; Dexron Dougles\, bass; Johnathan Barber\, drums; Caro Baptista\, percussion on “Batista Revenge”. \nHe leads his groups All-Star quartet Larry Willis (Alone Together/Mapleshade 2006) and his exciting\, Outlook Quintet featuring rising stars Mike DiRubbo (alto sax)\, David Bryant (piano)\, Dezron Douglas (bass) and Eric McPherson (drums) regularly performing at Smoke and Smalls Jazz Club (NYC); The Greater Hartford Jazz Festival\, Baltimore’s Eubie Blake Center\, The Richmond Jazz Society\, Hartford Jazz Society. \nSteve performs internationally with Dizzy Gillespie’s All-Stars\, Jimmy Heath\, Ron Carter. Chick Corea & My Spanish Heart Band\, Origin\, he has appeared at The Jimmy Fallon with Steve Wonder\, at the White House Tribute to Ray Charles (PBS) and records with the collective unit One For All (Eric Alexander\, Jim Rotondi\, David Hazeltine\, John Webber and Joe Farnsworth)\, Larry Willis\, Harold Malberen.Widely regarded as one of today’s leading voices on the trombone. His lyrical\, hard-swinging style first gained him broad recognition.
URL:https://hartfordjazzsociety.com/event/steve-davis-quintet-ft-abena-koomson-davis/
LOCATION:Side Door Jazz Club\, 85 Lyme Street\, Old Lyme\, CT\, United States
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20251123T200000
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20251123T223000
DTSTAMP:20260424T101852
CREATED:20251018T023446Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20251018T023446Z
UID:10006939-1763928000-1763937000@hartfordjazzsociety.com
SUMMARY:Donald Vega Sextet
DESCRIPTION:Donald Vega – Piano \nDavid DeJesus – Alto Saxophone \nBrandon Lee – Trumpet \nRaul Reyes – Bass \nCarlos “Carly” Maldonado – Percussion \nJerome Jennings – Drums \nGrammy®-nominated pianist and composer Donald Vega brings his new project\, Legacy\, to the stage — celebrating the power of mentorship and the timeless ways communities pass stories and traditions from one generation to the next. Funded in part by Chamber Music America’s New Jazz Works grant\, Legacy is music in conversation with time itself: swinging tunes\, Latin grooves\, and unforgettable melodies that honor jazz’s living tradition while reaching for the future. Experience an evening of storytelling through sound with one of today’s most compelling jazz voices. \nGrammy® nominated artist Donald Vega is a luminary on the piano and unites audiences around the world through his melodic storytelling and the transformative power of music. Vega was named a Guggenheim Fellow in 2023 for composition\, and through the generous support of the Guggenheim Memorial Foundation completed and released his album As I Travel\, which earned a Grammy® nomination for Best Latin Jazz Album. \nDonald Vega was trained classically in piano in his native Nicaragua. He emigrated to the United States at age 14 and found a musical home with the Colburn School of Performing Arts (CSPA). He began his studies there in classical piano with Teresa de Jong Pombo and Dr. Louise Lepley. Vega began learning the language of jazz from mentor Billy Higgins at The World Stage and continued at CSPA with Jeffrey Lavner\, then later with bassist John Clayton at the University of Southern California. During his time in Los Angeles Donald was mentored by and performed with the celebrated conguero Francisco Aguabella as well as notable bassist Al McKibbon. He went on to graduate from Manhattan School of Music and The Juilliard School where he studied with piano great Kenny Barron\, Phil Markowitz and Gary Dial. \nVega currently performs internationally as the pianist for world renowned bassist Ron Carter with whom he has recorded several albums. Mr. Vega is also a professor at The Juilliard School and Hofstra University and sits on the board of BackCountry Jazz\, a non-profit organization which provides music education programs and performances to underprivileged youth. \nVega’s debut album\, Tomorrows\, was released in 2008 to rave reviews. In his sophomore album\, Spiritual Nature (Resonance Records\, 2012)\, he was joined by the regal rhythm tandem of bassist Christian McBride and drummer Lewis Nash. Vega teamed up again with Lewis Nash on his third album\, With Respect to Monty\, (Resonance Records\, 2015) along with Hassan Shakur\, the great bassist and former Monty Alexander band member\, and long-time friend and grammy nominated artist\, Anthony Wilson on guitar. Donald recently released his latest album\, As I Travel\, with Lewis Nash on drums and John Patitucci on bass and featuring Luisito Quintero on percussion. Downbeat called it a “recording with high-caliber vision and carefully crafted compositions…” and All About Jazz called it a “captivating musical memoir”.
URL:https://hartfordjazzsociety.com/event/donald-vega-sextet/
LOCATION:Side Door Jazz Club\, 85 Lyme Street\, Old Lyme\, CT\, United States
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20251122T200000
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20251122T223000
DTSTAMP:20260424T101852
CREATED:20251018T023202Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20251018T023843Z
UID:10006938-1763841600-1763850600@hartfordjazzsociety.com
SUMMARY:Ben Wolfe Quartet
DESCRIPTION:John Ellis – Saxophone\nJoel Ross – Vibes\nBen Wolfe – Bass\nAaron Kimmel – Drums \nNew York bassist/composer and bandleader Ben Wolfe’s music has been described as “Mingus and Miles Davis meet Bartok and Bernard Herrmann” (Ben Ratliff – The New York Times). With acclaim by some of the jazz world’s most respected critics\, Wolfe continues to produce works that draw top-flight reviews from fans and jazz journalists alike.\nBen’s 2024 release The Understated is his eleventh as leader and features all original compositions. Nicole Glover who plays tenor saxophone on the record says in her liner notes “This record succeeds in bringing Ben’s beautiful music to life through extremely conscientious group playing. Nothing is forced or pushed; everything that needs to be stated is stated.”\n“The Understated is a beauty.” (Carlo Wolff\, Downbeat) \nIn many ways\, The Understated is a continuation of his previous release the critically acclaimed Unjust. “Unjust is a brilliant work of melodic ensemble writing and superb playing by a stellar intergenerational crew.” (Bill Milkowski\, Downbeat). \nIts balance – of elegance and propulsion\, of accessibility and edge – distinguishes it from most conventional jazz. Its details reward repeated listening.” (Larry Blumenfeld\, Wall Street Journal)\nThere is no doubt that after decades as one of the most sought-after bassists in jazz\, performing with top names such as Wynton Marsalis\, Harry Connick Jr.\, Diana Krall and many others\, award-winning composer and bandleader Ben Wolfe is clear about his creative direction… \n“Much of the music I’ve composed; particularly the music that includes strings\, I think of as chamber music within a jazz context.” \nAn award-winning composer\, Ben is a two-time recipient of Chamber Music America’s New Works: Creation and Presentation Program Grant through the Doris Duke Foundation. First received in 2004\, Ben was able to use this funding to compose his extended work “Contradiction: Music for Sextet.” He received the grant in 2020 and composed “Nonet”. Both of these extended works have been recorded for future release. \nWolfe has distinguished himself through a significant catalogue of original music\, including over one hundred songs across eleven albums\, several extended works\, and the film score for Matthew Modine’s 2008 short I Think I Thought. The New York Sun hailed his work on this film as\, “a standout music score.” \nWolfe’s early career included Grammy award-winning\, platinum-selling collaborations with both Harry Connick Jr. and Diana Krall\, including Harry’s 1988 soundtrack album When Harry Met Sally\, and Diana’s 1999 release When I Look in Your Eyes. He appeared alongside both artists on numerous world tours. \nWolfe’s ongoing and close association with Wynton Marsalis; during which Marsalis recorded as a guest on two of his albums\, has seen Ben appear on a number of Wynton’s releases\, and included a stint in the Wynton Marsalis Septet and membership in the Jazz at Lincoln CenteOrchestra (JLCO)\, where he performed with jazz luminaries such as Joe Henderson\, Doc Cheatham\, Jon Hendricks\, Harry “Sweets” Edison\, and Billy Higgins\, among many others. Contemporary jazz greats with whom he has also worked and recorded include Branford Marsalis\, Orrin Evans\, Eric Reed and Benny Green. \nBen Wolfe’s full list of recorded original albums as a leader:\n• The Understated\, Resident Arts Records (2024)\n• Unjust\, Resident Arts Records (2023)\n• Fatherhood\, Resident Arts Records (2019)\n• The Whisperer\, Posi-Tone (2015)\n• From Here I See\, MAXJAZZ/Mack Avenue Records (2013)\n• Ben Wolfe Quintet: Live at Smalls\, SmallsLIVE (2011)\n• No Strangers Here\, MAXJAZZ/Mack Avenue Records (2008)\n• My Kinda Beautiful\, Planet Arts Records (2004)\n• Murray’s Cadillac\, Amosaya Music (2000)\n• Bagdad Theater\, Mons Records (1997)\n• 13 Sketches\, Mons Records (1996) \nBen maintains a busy schedule\, performing and touring on the international stage. Currently a member of the teaching faculty at The Julliard School in New York City\, Ben is helping to shape and mentor the jazz scene’s next generation of outstanding talent. \n“Ben Wolfe swings with authority!”– to quote Wynton Marsalis. It can’t be said any better!
URL:https://hartfordjazzsociety.com/event/ben-wolfe-quartet/
LOCATION:Side Door Jazz Club\, 85 Lyme Street\, Old Lyme\, CT\, United States
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20251121T200000
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20251121T223000
DTSTAMP:20260424T101852
CREATED:20251018T022850Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20251018T022850Z
UID:10006937-1763755200-1763764200@hartfordjazzsociety.com
SUMMARY:Isaiah J. Thompson Quartet
DESCRIPTION:Pianist and composer Isaiah J. Thompson is originally from West Orange\, New Jersey. He began studying with pianist Alla Epelbaum at The Calderone School of Music and Bob Mikula from an early age and soon after enrolled in Jazz House Kids and NJPAC Jazz For Teens. He was later admitted to The Juilliard School where he graduated with both his Bachelor’s and Master’s of Music degrees and furthered his education in Christian Studies at Fuller Theological Seminary. \nIsaiah joined the John Pizzarelli Trio in 2019 and has performed with other major artists such as\, Christian McBride\, Steve Turre\, Catherine Russell\, and Buster Williams. His recording debut was featured on Jazz at Lincoln Center’s Handful of Keys album with the Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra with Wynton Marsalis\, and he has since released multiple recordings as a leader.\nThompson worked on the Golden Globe nominated soundtrack for the film Motherless Brooklyn\, was named a Steinway Artist and has been awarded other accolades including\, the 2018 Lincoln Center Emerging Artist Award and second place in the 2018 Thelonious Monk Competition. In 2023 he was named the winner of the American Pianists Awards and the Cole Porter Fellowship in Jazz and in 2024 Thompson joined the Jazz Studies Faculty at The Juilliard School. \nAs a jazz musician and performer\, Isaiah aims to emit love\, spirit and respect and convey his faith through his artistry.
URL:https://hartfordjazzsociety.com/event/isaiah-j-thompson-quartet/
LOCATION:Side Door Jazz Club\, 85 Lyme Street\, Old Lyme\, CT\, United States
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20251119T193000
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20251119T220000
DTSTAMP:20260424T101852
CREATED:20251018T022614Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20251018T022614Z
UID:10006936-1763580600-1763589600@hartfordjazzsociety.com
SUMMARY:Sean Nelson Jazz Orchestra: Harry James Tribute Ft Joshua Kauffman
DESCRIPTION:Special Guest: \nJames Kauffman – Trumpet \nSaxes \nErik Elligers\nTyler Wilkins\nMatt Parker\nJosh Thomas\nMatt Schmidt \nTrombones\nSean Nelson\nLeroy Loomer\nVince Yanovitch\nWes Mayhew \nTrumpets\nDon Clough\nRenee McGee\nLuke Wingfield\nHaneef Nelson \nRhythm\nJen Allen – piano\nGianni Gardner – guitar\nLou Bocciarelli – bass\nNathan Lassell – drums \nJoshua Kauffman has deep ties to the music of Harry James. After befriending and playing trumpet for Harry James\, Jr\, at his home in Texas\, he was gifted many items from the estate\, including several of Harry’s trumpets and music manuscripts. Joshua has a deep love and reverence for the music of Harry James\, and this is evident in his expert performance of this historically important music.Joshua Kauffman\, an in-demand performer and educator in the Washington Metropolitan area\, can be seen and heard at major venues like The John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts\, Capitol One Arena and Blues Alley. He teaches regularly at The National Jazz Workshop and is frequently seen as a guest artist and clinician with colleges and schools throughout the US. \nEqually at home in the jazz and classical idioms\, Joshua has had the opportunity to share the stage with Doc Severinsen\, Hugh Jackman\, Randy Brecker\, Bobby McFerrin\, Arturo Sandoval\, Franki Valli and the Four Seasons\, Sean Jones\, Stefon Harris\, Luis Enrique\, The Big Apple Circus\, Eddie Daniels\, Wycliffe Gordon\, Alan Baylock\, Dennis Mackrel and many others. \nHe also travels around the United States to perform swing music for national and international events\, like The International Lindy Hop Championships\, DC Lindy Exchange\, Beantown Camp as well as other swing music and dancing events and competitions. \nOriginally from New Castle\, PA\, Joshua attended the University of North Texas where he played in the Grammy-nominated One O’Clock Lab Band from 2014-2017\, where he held both the solo and lead trumpet chairs. While in the One O’Clock Lab Band\, he performed at the inaugural concert of Cancer Blows\, Monterey Jazz Festival and traveled to Australia to perform at the Generations in Jazz Festival with famed multi-instrumentalist\, James Morrison. He graduated in 2017 magna cum laude with a Bachelor of Music in jazz studies. \nDays before graduation\, Joshua auditioned and won a position with The United States Army Band “Pershing’s Own”\, where he holds the first trumpet chair of The U.S. Army Blues\, the premiere jazz ensemble of The United States Army. \nJoshua has had many great teachers and mentors in his life including Allen Vizzutti\, Jay Saunders\, Paul Stephens\, John Holt\, Rodney Booth\, Mike Steinel\, Dr. Stephen Hawk and others. \nJoshua is a Yamaha Performing Artist and exclusively plays GR Mouthpieces.The Sean Nelson Jazz Orchestra is a “full bodied and polished brassy big band” (Jazz Weekly) made up of 17 of the finest musicians in New England. Formed in 2016 as the New London Big Band\, for the past nine years they have played monthly for sold out crowds at the Social Bar + Kitchen in New London CT. The band has performed all over the country\, including the Kennedy Center (Washington DC)\, the Birdland Jazz Club (NYC)\, Monks Jazz Club (Austin TX)\, and Hallowed Halls (Portland OR). The band has released three albums\, the most recent of which\, “Don’t Stop Now: the lost music of Thad Jones for Harry James\,” reached #29 on the jazz radio charts. \nThe band’s sound is rooted in the Kansas City swing of Count Basie\, “swinging high\, hard\, and hot” (All About Jazz.) “Nelson…has assembled a youthful\, sharp\, hip 17-piece ensemble as dedicated as he is to the belief that big band sounds can provide a fine musical experience — one best served up live\, where the groove and excitement of the arrangements and instrumental interplay can energize and pack a dance floor across generations.” (The Day of New London) \nSean Nelson is the leader and founder of the band. By day\, he is enlisted in the U.S. Coast Guard\, where he plays trombone with the Coast Guard Band’s concert band and jazz ensembles\, serves as staff arranger\, and is music director for the Guardians Big Band. \nNelson was music director and arranger for the 2024 National Christmas Tree Lighting with the Coast Guard’s Guardians Big Band\, creating over 500 pages of arrangements. This was performed in front of the White House and seen nationally on CBS. Sean was one of two composers that co-created the official song of the Space Force\, Semper Supra\, which is now part of every Armed Forces Medley. He also composed the official song for the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration officer corps (one of the eight federal uniformed services). He has won the National Band Association Young Composers Jazz Composition Contest and is a two­ time winner of Downbeat Magazine’s jazz arranging award. He currently works as the arranger for Sam Houston State University Bearkat Marching Band. Sean’s big band arrangements are published at iJazzmusic.com. \nA native of Dallas\, Texas\, Sean received a Bachelor of Music degree from Sam Houston State University and a Master of Music degree from the University of North Texas. While at North Texas\, he was trombonist and composer for the One O’Clock Lab Band and sang with the Jazz Singers I. Sean’s trombone quartet won the International Trombone Association Quartet Contest. He spent his summers and winter breaks playing in house bands on cruise ships for Princess Cruises and Cunard Cruises. \nSean lives in Quaker Hill\, Connecticut\, with his wife Megan and children Lucinda\, Giles\, McCoy\, and Cab.
URL:https://hartfordjazzsociety.com/event/sean-nelson-jazz-orchestra-harry-james-tribute-ft-joshua-kauffman/
LOCATION:Side Door Jazz Club\, 85 Lyme Street\, Old Lyme\, CT\, United States
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20251115T200000
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20251115T223000
DTSTAMP:20260424T101852
CREATED:20251018T022129Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20251018T022129Z
UID:10006935-1763236800-1763245800@hartfordjazzsociety.com
SUMMARY:Steve Nelson Quartet
DESCRIPTION:Steve Nelson – Vibraphone \nRick Germanson – Piano \nKiyoshi Kitagawa – Bass \nCharles Goold – Drums \nSteve Nelson is an acclaimed American jazz vibraphonist and marimba player\, widely regarded as one of the pre-eminent modernist performers on the instrument for his inventive\, fluidly harmonic\, and chromatic approach. \nIntroduced to the vibraphone in high school by his teacher George A. Monroe—a steelworker by day and a gifted vibraphonist in the Milt Jackson tradition—Nelson also received early instruction in piano and jazz fundamentals from Monroe\, to whom he later dedicated the track “Blues for George A.” on his album Full Nelson. He began his professional career in Pittsburgh\, quickly progressing to gigs with guitar legend Grant Green after a recommendation from local musician Jerry Byrd. \nNelson earned both bachelor’s and master’s degrees in music from Rutgers University\, studying in the renowned Jazz Studies program under pianist Kenny Barron\, bassist Larry Ridley\, and drummer Ted Dunbar. His debut recording was on James Spaulding’s Plays the Legacy of Duke Ellington (1983)\, followed by collaborations in the early 1980s with Barron\, David “Fathead” Newman\, Bobby Watson\, and the George Shearing big band. \nThroughout his career\, Nelson has been the vibraphonist of choice for jazz icons\, including long-term partnerships with pianist Kenny Barron\, saxophonist Jackie McLean\, drummer Lewis Nash\, pianist James Williams\, bassist Curtis Lundy\, and pianist Mulgrew Miller’s Wingspan Sextet. Since the 1990s\, he has been a core member of bassist Dave Holland’s Quintet and Big Band\, contributing to decades of composing\, performing\, and touring. \nAs a leader\, Nelson has released albums such as Live at Acireale (Red Records)\, Full Nelson(Sunnyside)\, and Communications (Criss Cross)\, showcasing his personal voice on vibes. In 2025\, he earned a Grammy nomination for his work on Barron’s quintet album Beyond This Place\, praised as “one of the best career efforts of the number one vibes player of his generation.” \nIn addition to performing worldwide\, Nelson serves as an educator\, teaching jazz ensemble at Montclair State University and mentoring young vibraphonists\, as featured in the 2023 short documentary Sparni.
URL:https://hartfordjazzsociety.com/event/steve-nelson-quartet-2/
LOCATION:Side Door Jazz Club\, 85 Lyme Street\, Old Lyme\, CT\, United States
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20251114T200000
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20251114T223000
DTSTAMP:20260424T101852
CREATED:20251018T021840Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20251018T021840Z
UID:10006934-1763150400-1763159400@hartfordjazzsociety.com
SUMMARY:Steve Nelson Quartet
DESCRIPTION:Steve Nelson – Vibraphone \nRick Germanson – Piano \nKiyoshi Kitagawa – Bass \nCharles Goold – Drums \nSteve Nelson is an acclaimed American jazz vibraphonist and marimba player\, widely regarded as one of the pre-eminent modernist performers on the instrument for his inventive\, fluidly harmonic\, and chromatic approach. \nIntroduced to the vibraphone in high school by his teacher George A. Monroe—a steelworker by day and a gifted vibraphonist in the Milt Jackson tradition—Nelson also received early instruction in piano and jazz fundamentals from Monroe\, to whom he later dedicated the track “Blues for George A.” on his album Full Nelson. He began his professional career in Pittsburgh\, quickly progressing to gigs with guitar legend Grant Green after a recommendation from local musician Jerry Byrd. \nNelson earned both bachelor’s and master’s degrees in music from Rutgers University\, studying in the renowned Jazz Studies program under pianist Kenny Barron\, bassist Larry Ridley\, and drummer Ted Dunbar. His debut recording was on James Spaulding’s Plays the Legacy of Duke Ellington (1983)\, followed by collaborations in the early 1980s with Barron\, David “Fathead” Newman\, Bobby Watson\, and the George Shearing big band. \nThroughout his career\, Nelson has been the vibraphonist of choice for jazz icons\, including long-term partnerships with pianist Kenny Barron\, saxophonist Jackie McLean\, drummer Lewis Nash\, pianist James Williams\, bassist Curtis Lundy\, and pianist Mulgrew Miller’s Wingspan Sextet. Since the 1990s\, he has been a core member of bassist Dave Holland’s Quintet and Big Band\, contributing to decades of composing\, performing\, and touring. \nAs a leader\, Nelson has released albums such as Live at Acireale (Red Records)\, Full Nelson(Sunnyside)\, and Communications (Criss Cross)\, showcasing his personal voice on vibes. In 2025\, he earned a Grammy nomination for his work on Barron’s quintet album Beyond This Place\, praised as “one of the best career efforts of the number one vibes player of his generation.” \nIn addition to performing worldwide\, Nelson serves as an educator\, teaching jazz ensemble at Montclair State University and mentoring young vibraphonists\, as featured in the 2023 short documentary Sparni.
URL:https://hartfordjazzsociety.com/event/steve-nelson-quartet/
LOCATION:Side Door Jazz Club\, 85 Lyme Street\, Old Lyme\, CT\, United States
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20251108T200000
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20251108T223000
DTSTAMP:20260424T101852
CREATED:20251018T021612Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20251018T021612Z
UID:10006933-1762632000-1762641000@hartfordjazzsociety.com
SUMMARY:Zaccai Curtis Quintet
DESCRIPTION:Zaccai Curtis – Piano \nJeremy Bosch – Flute \nAlex Ayala – Bass \nReinaldo De Jesus – Percussion \nTBD – Drums \nZaccai Curtis is an acclaimed recording artist and producer\, recently honored with the 2025 Grammy Award for Best Latin Jazz Album. He leads his own groups\, the Zaccai Curtis Quintet and Sonido Solar\, and after five successful releases\, is set to release his new album Sonoluminescence in 2026. \nTogether with his brother Luques\, Zaccai co-founded the record label TRRcollective\, a collaborative space for musicians to produce and release their own music. He is also proud to have produced the Grammy-nominated album Entre Colegas by Andy González (2016). \nA native of Connecticut\, Zaccai moved to New York City in 2005\, where he has performed with renowned artists including Christian Scott\, Donald Harrison\, Cindy Blackman Santana\, Eddie Palmieri\, Lakecia Benjamin\, Brian Lynch\, the Mambo Legends\, Avery Sharpe and many others. \nIn addition to his performance career\, Zaccai is a respected educator\, teaching at the University of Hartford’s Jackie McLean Jazz Studies Division. He is also an author\, having written two instructional books: Art of the Guajeo and Theory of the Common Voicing\, which support students in their Jazz and Latin Jazz studies. \nA three-time ASCAP Young Jazz Composer Award winner\, Zaccai is a prolific composer and arranger for his own groups\, as well as artists like Little Johnny Rivero\, Steve Kroon\, Waitiki 7 and Sonido Solar. His quartet was chosen by the U.S. State Department for the American Music Abroad (Jazz Ambassadors) program twice\, touring South Asia in 2006. In 2007\, he received the Connecticut Commission on Culture and Tourism’s Artist Fellowship for original composition. In 2017\, he was awarded the Chamber Music America’s New Jazz Works grant\, and in 2020\, he was named Rising Star in the DownBeat Critics Poll.
URL:https://hartfordjazzsociety.com/event/zaccai-curtis-quintet-2/
LOCATION:Side Door Jazz Club\, 85 Lyme Street\, Old Lyme\, CT\, United States
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20251107T200000
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20251107T223000
DTSTAMP:20260424T101852
CREATED:20251018T021333Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20251018T021333Z
UID:10006932-1762545600-1762554600@hartfordjazzsociety.com
SUMMARY:Zaccai Curtis Quintet
DESCRIPTION:Zaccai Curtis – Piano \nJeremy Bosch – Flute \nAlex Ayala – Bass \nReinaldo De Jesus – Percussion \nWillie Martinez – Drums \nZaccai Curtis is an acclaimed recording artist and producer\, recently honored with the 2025 Grammy Award for Best Latin Jazz Album. He leads his own groups\, the Zaccai Curtis Quintet and Sonido Solar\, and after five successful releases\, is set to release his new album Sonoluminescence in 2026. \nTogether with his brother Luques\, Zaccai co-founded the record label TRRcollective\, a collaborative space for musicians to produce and release their own music. He is also proud to have produced the Grammy-nominated album Entre Colegas by Andy González (2016). \nA native of Connecticut\, Zaccai moved to New York City in 2005\, where he has performed with renowned artists including Christian Scott\, Donald Harrison\, Cindy Blackman Santana\, Eddie Palmieri\, Lakecia Benjamin\, Brian Lynch\, the Mambo Legends\, Avery Sharpe and many others. \nIn addition to his performance career\, Zaccai is a respected educator\, teaching at the University of Hartford’s Jackie McLean Jazz Studies Division. He is also an author\, having written two instructional books: Art of the Guajeo and Theory of the Common Voicing\, which support students in their Jazz and Latin Jazz studies. \nA three-time ASCAP Young Jazz Composer Award winner\, Zaccai is a prolific composer and arranger for his own groups\, as well as artists like Little Johnny Rivero\, Steve Kroon\, Waitiki 7 and Sonido Solar. His quartet was chosen by the U.S. State Department for the American Music Abroad (Jazz Ambassadors) program twice\, touring South Asia in 2006. In 2007\, he received the Connecticut Commission on Culture and Tourism’s Artist Fellowship for original composition. In 2017\, he was awarded the Chamber Music America’s New Jazz Works grant\, and in 2020\, he was named Rising Star in the DownBeat Critics Poll.
URL:https://hartfordjazzsociety.com/event/zaccai-curtis-quintet/
LOCATION:Side Door Jazz Club\, 85 Lyme Street\, Old Lyme\, CT\, United States
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20251101T200000
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20251101T223000
DTSTAMP:20260424T101852
CREATED:20251018T021108Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20251018T021108Z
UID:10006931-1762027200-1762036200@hartfordjazzsociety.com
SUMMARY:Dave Pietro Quartet
DESCRIPTION:Dave Pietro – Alto Saxophone \nGary Versace – Piano \nJay Anderson – Bass \nBilly Drummond – Drums \nA native of Southboro\, Massachusetts\, Dave Pietro has been on the New York music scene since 1987. His talents as a gifted saxophonist\, composer\, and educator have made him an in-demand musician who has performed at jazz clubs\, jazz festivals\, schools and concert halls in more than 30 countries throughout Asia\, Australia\, Europe\, North and South America. Pietro is a member of the GRAMMY® Award-winning Maria Schneider Orchestra\, and two GRAMMY®-nominated groups – Darcy James Argue’s Secret Society and the Gil Evans Project. From 1994-2016 he played lead alto saxophone and recorded six albums with the Toshiko Akiyoshi Jazz Orchestra. He has also performed\, toured\, and/or recorded with the bands of Maynard Ferguson\, Lionel Hampton\, Woody Herman\, The Village Vanguard Jazz Orchestra\, Louis Bellson\, Anita Brown\, Harry Connick Jr.\, John Fedchock\, Mike Holober\, Jihye Lee\, Michael Leonhart\, Pete McGuinness\, Arturo O’Farrill\, Jared Schonig\, Helen Sung\, and Chris Zuar. Pietro has worked with many other well-known musicians such as Paul Anka\, Blood Sweat & Tears\, David Bowie\, Bobby Caldwell\, Ray Charles\, Rosemary Clooney\, Michael Feinstein\, Chaka Khan\, Liza Minnelli\, James Naughton and John Pizzarelli. In addition\, he has studied East Indian music and performed with various groups led by Indian tablist Sandip Burman. \nAs a leader\, Pietro has released 11 albums and his latest recording Satori (East 15 th -2025) features Michael Rodriguez\, Gary Versace\, Johannes Weidenmueller and Johnathan Blake. Esteemed jazz critic Bill Milkowski says “Satori is imbued with ebullience\, crackling interplay and virtuosic displays of soloing. It’s a feast for the ears.” In 2024 Pietro released The Talisman\, his first album for the storied Steeplechase label\, featuring Scott Wendholt\, Gary Versace\, Jay Anderson and Billy Drummond. Stamish Malcuss of Jazz Sensibilites said of it… “The Talisman is a fine addition to the jazz canon\, a beacon for Pietro’s discography\, and it embodies the spirit of exploration and innovation at the heart of the genre.” \nHypersphere (ArtistShare-2020) features Alex Sipiagin\, Gary Versace\, Johannes Weidenmueller and Johnathan Blake\, with guests Ryan Keberle and Rogerio Boccato. “With it Pietro has emerged as a leader of importance” says Thomas Conrad of Stereophile. Pietro’s first ArtistShare release New Road: Iowa Memoirs (2017)\, co-sponsored by the University of Iowa\, was called “a carefully measured balance between structure and spontaneity\, filled with inspirational performances by a top-flight ensemble” by Mark Holston of Jazziz magazine. \nEmbrace: Impressions of Brazil (A Records-2004)\, which features a host of musicians including Brazilian pianist Helio Alves and renowned Brazilian drummer Duduka DaFonseca was considered “a triumph…one of the most satisfying Brazilian jazz mixes since the first bossa nova tsunami” by Judith Schlesinger of AllAboutJazz. Standard Wonder: The Music of Stevie Wonder\, (A Records)\, featuring Scott Wendholt\, Pete McGuinness\, David Berkman\, Scott Colley and Brain Blade was voted one of the top-10 jazz albums of 2001 by Bob Blumenthal of the Boston Globe and Bill Milkowski of Jazz Times. Earlier A Records releases include Now Becoming Then (1999) with this same band except Mike Holober on piano\, and his first two label releases for the label – Forgotten Dreams (1994) and Wind Dance (1998)\, both featuring the rhythm section of Kenny Werner on piano\, Dave Holland on bass and Bill Stewart on drums. \nPietro co-led an international quartet “The New York-Tokyo Connection”(NYTC) with pianist Jonathan Katz; their third album Precious (Seven Steps) was released in 2014. In 2005 and 2007 Pietro received grants from Chamber Music America’s New Works Programs to compose and perform his new extended work The Chakra Suite (Challenge Records). Featuring Gary Versace\, Rez Abbasi\, Todd Isler\, Johannes Weidenmueller and Adam Cruz\, it was voted one of the top CD’s of 2008 by All About Jazz. \nPietro received a bachelor’s degree in music education from North Texas State University where he toured and recorded four albums with the school’s One O’Clock Lab Band. He has a Master of Arts degree in jazz composition from New York University where he is currently the Director of Jazz Studies. Pietro has given hundreds of workshops and concerts at schools around the world and is sponsored by D’Addario Woodwinds\, the Conn-Selmer Instrument Company\, and R.S. Berkeley Musical Instruments.
URL:https://hartfordjazzsociety.com/event/dave-pietro-quartet/
LOCATION:Side Door Jazz Club\, 85 Lyme Street\, Old Lyme\, CT\, United States
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20251031T200000
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20251031T223000
DTSTAMP:20260424T101852
CREATED:20250927T015835Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20250927T015835Z
UID:10006892-1761940800-1761949800@hartfordjazzsociety.com
SUMMARY:Russell Hall Quintet
DESCRIPTION:Mike Troy – Saxophone \nEsteban Castro – Piano \nLeo Larratt – Guitar \nRussell Hall – Bass \nMatt Lee – Drums \nBorn in Kingston\, Jamaica\, Russell Hall migrated to the United States in 2007 where his double bass studies progressed quickly through the rigorous programs of The Dillard Center for the Arts and The Juilliard School. Russell deeply understands the jazz tradition\, having studied with many of the double bass world’s most renowned artists including Ron Carter and Ben Wolfe. Still\, he is also an artist looking forward with his own distinct approach to the double bass. \nAs a first-call bassist in New York City\, Russell has performed with some of the biggest names in music including Joey Alexander\, Wayne Shorter\, Wynton Marsalis\, Branford Marsalis\, Jon Batiste\, Roy Hargrove\, Kathleen Battle\, Christian McBride\, Emmet Cohen\, Russell Malone\, George Coleman and many more. \nWell known for his work with the Emmet Cohen Trio alongside drummer Kyle Poole\, Russell also leads his own bands\, including Bessie and the Rainbowkids to much critical acclaim.
URL:https://hartfordjazzsociety.com/event/russell-hall-quintet/
LOCATION:Side Door Jazz Club\, 85 Lyme Street\, Old Lyme\, CT\, United States
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20251029T193000
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20251029T213000
DTSTAMP:20260424T101852
CREATED:20250927T015643Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20250927T015643Z
UID:10006891-1761766200-1761773400@hartfordjazzsociety.com
SUMMARY:The Sean Nelson Jazz Orchestra ft Atla DeChamplain
DESCRIPTION:Saxes\nErik Elligers\nTyler Wilkins\nMatt Parker\nJosh Thomas\nMatt Schmidt \nTrombones\nSean Nelson\nLeroy Loomer\nVince Yanovitch\nWes Mayhew \nTrumpets\nDon Clough\nSeth Bailey\nLuke Wingfield\nHaneef Nelson \nRhythm\nJen Allen – piano\nGianni Gardner – guitar\nLou Bocciarelli – bass\nNathan Lassell – drums \nAtla DeChamplain is a jazz vocalist\, lyricist\, and educator known for her compelling sound and sincere interpretations of jazz standards. A Connecticut native\, she studied at the Jackie McLean Institute of Jazz at the Hartt School of Music and earned her Master’s degree from the University of Toledo\, where she was mentored by the legendary vocalist Jon Hendricks. Specializing in vocalese—the art of setting lyrics to instrumental jazz solos—Atla is recognized for her original lyrics\, expressive phrasing\, vocal control\, and authenticity on stage. \nHer musical voice is a blend of American idioms\, drawing from jazz\, blues\, gospel\, and R&B. She credits her artistic development to the influence of Ella Fitzgerald\, Sarah Vaughan\, Jon Hendricks\, Louis Armstrong\, Kurt Elling\, Dianne Reeves\, Mel Tormé\, Bobby McFerrin\, José Feliciano\, and Nat King Cole\, as well as the lyrical legacies of Iola Brubeck\, Billy Strayhorn\, Burt Bacharach\, and Fred Rogers. Atla has performed with many of her musical heroes\, including Jon Hendricks\, Kurt Elling\, Lawrence Hobgood\, José Feliciano\, Paul Keller\, and Steve Davis. Atla acknowledges the privilege to follow such luminary artists in the traditions of Black American music. \nAlongside her husband\, jazz pianist Matt DeChamplain\, Atla co-leads a band that reimagines the Great American Songbook and presents original compositions. Together\, they have appeared at renowned venues and festivals across the country\, including Dizzy’s Club Coca-Cola and the Louis Armstrong House Museum (NYC)\, the Bop Stop (Cleveland)\, the Provincetown Jazz Festival (Cape Cod)\, Steinway Gallery (Detroit)\, the Monterey Jazz Festival (CA)\, the Greater Hartford Festival of Jazz (CT)\, and the American Stage Theatre Company (FL)\, among others. In 2015\, Atla released her debut album Pause\, which featured guest performance by Jon Hendricks. Her additional recording credits include work with Emmett Goods\, Earl MacDonald\, Norman Johnson\, Jeff Fuller\, Grayson Hugh\, Jason Anick\, and others. \nA devoted educator\, Atla serves as Associate Professor in Amplified Voice at the University of Rhode Island\, where she teaches jazz and gospel music. She also teaches for the Yale University Jazz Collective. Previously Atla has held adjunct teaching positions at the Hartt School of Music\, Western Connecticut State University\, Southern Connecticut State University\, and Capital Community College. She is a frequent clinician and advocate for inclusive\, student-centered jazz education\, and she authors a blog for aspiring jazz vocalists. Currently\, Atla is working on a book about learning\, writing\, and performing vocalese.The Sean Nelson Jazz Orchestra is a “full bodied and polished brassy big band” (Jazz Weekly) made up of 17 of the finest musicians in New England. Formed in 2016 as the New London Big Band\, for the past nine years they have played monthly for sold out crowds at the Social Bar + Kitchen in New London CT. The band has performed all over the country\, including the Kennedy Center (Washington DC)\, the Birdland Jazz Club (NYC)\, Monks Jazz Club (Austin TX)\, and Hallowed Halls (Portland OR). The band has released three albums\, the most recent of which\, “Don’t Stop Now: the lost music of Thad Jones for Harry James\,” reached #29 on the jazz radio charts. \nThe band’s sound is rooted in the Kansas City swing of Count Basie\, “swinging high\, hard\, and hot” (All About Jazz.) “Nelson…has assembled a youthful\, sharp\, hip 17-piece ensemble as dedicated as he is to the belief that big band sounds can provide a fine musical experience — one best served up live\, where the groove and excitement of the arrangements and instrumental interplay can energize and pack a dance floor across generations.” (The Day of New London) \nSean Nelson is the leader and founder of the band. By day\, he is enlisted in the U.S. Coast Guard\, where he plays trombone with the Coast Guard Band’s concert band and jazz ensembles\, serves as staff arranger\, and is music director for the Guardians Big Band. \nNelson was music director and arranger for the 2024 National Christmas Tree Lighting with the Coast Guard’s Guardians Big Band\, creating over 500 pages of arrangements. This was performed in front of the White House and seen nationally on CBS. Sean was one of two composers that co-created the official song of the Space Force\, Semper Supra\, which is now part of every Armed Forces Medley. He also composed the official song for the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration officer corps (one of the eight federal uniformed services). He has won the National Band Association Young Composers Jazz Composition Contest and is a two­ time winner of Downbeat Magazine’s jazz arranging award. He currently works as the arranger for Sam Houston State University Bearkat Marching Band. Sean’s big band arrangements are published at iJazzmusic.com. \nA native of Dallas\, Texas\, Sean received a Bachelor of Music degree from Sam Houston State University and a Master of Music degree from the University of North Texas. While at North Texas\, he was trombonist and composer for the One O’Clock Lab Band and sang with the Jazz Singers I. Sean’s trombone quartet won the International Trombone Association Quartet Contest. He spent his summers and winter breaks playing in house bands on cruise ships for Princess Cruises and Cunard Cruises. \nSean lives in Quaker Hill\, Connecticut\, with his wife Megan and children Lucinda\, Giles\, McCoy\, and Cab.
URL:https://hartfordjazzsociety.com/event/the-sean-nelson-jazz-orchestra-ft-atla-dechamplain/
LOCATION:Side Door Jazz Club\, 85 Lyme Street\, Old Lyme\, CT\, United States
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20251025T200000
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20251025T223000
DTSTAMP:20260424T101852
CREATED:20250927T015313Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20250927T015313Z
UID:10006890-1761422400-1761431400@hartfordjazzsociety.com
SUMMARY:Javon Jackson Band
DESCRIPTION:Javon Jackson – Tenor Saxophone \nJeremy Manasia – Piano \nDavid Williams – Bass \nMcClenty Hunter – Drums \nBorn 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. \nIn 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. \nIn 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. \nJackson 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.
URL:https://hartfordjazzsociety.com/event/javon-jackson-band-2/
LOCATION:Side Door Jazz Club\, 85 Lyme Street\, Old Lyme\, CT\, United States
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20251024T200000
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20251024T223000
DTSTAMP:20260424T101852
CREATED:20250927T015114Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20250927T015114Z
UID:10006889-1761336000-1761345000@hartfordjazzsociety.com
SUMMARY:Javon Jackson Band
DESCRIPTION:Javon Jackson – Tenor Saxophone \nJeremy Manasia – Piano \nDavid Williams – Bass \nMcClenty Hunter – Drums \nBorn 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. \nIn 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. \nIn 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. \nJackson 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.
URL:https://hartfordjazzsociety.com/event/javon-jackson-band/
LOCATION:Side Door Jazz Club\, 85 Lyme Street\, Old Lyme\, CT\, United States
END:VEVENT
END:VCALENDAR