Ray Gonzalez – JANUARY 6 Ray Gonález is a musician dedicated in mind, body and soul to the creation of salsa and Latin jazz. A re-known musician and Latin music pioneer in Connecticut, Ray González was born in Gurabo, Puerto Rico. He attended the Conservatory of Music and the University of Puerto Rico. He also studied under the tutelage of Master Trumpeter Carmine Caruzo, in New York City. González has over 35 years of experience in the performing arts as a professional musician, arranger, composer and conductor. As a musician, the Caribbean, South America and the United States have been his laboratory of experience.
Ray Gonzalez – trumpet |
Simona Premazzi DreamTeam Trio – JANUARY 13
Simona Premazzi- piano |
Sound Reformation – JANUARY 27
Darryl Yokley- saxophone(s) |
Sam Newsome Quartet – FEBRUARY 3
Sam Newsome - soprano saxophone |
Double Feature!
Emery Austin Smith and Orice Jenkins – FEBRUARY 10, 2-3PMTHIS PERFORMANCE HAS BEEN RESCHEDULED FROM ITS ORIGINAL DATE OF JANURARY 20thEmery Austin Smith born, raised and still lives in Hartford, CT. He studied piano with Lillian Johnson Pierce and theory/composition with Clyde Wesley Board. He was the leader and arranger/ composer of the Emery Austin Smith Quintet performing in schools, colleges, museums lecturing and demonstrating the art and culture of Jazz. Smith was a co-leader with Lou West of the Progressive Arts and Culture Company 15 piece band which performed at the first Arts Festival in Hartford. Smith is strongly influenced by Theolonious Monk and Bud Powel.
Orice Jenkins, who is Emery Smith's nephew and will be featured later in the series on March 17th, began making music as a middle school student who's placement in a guitar class coincided with him falling in love with Hip-Hop. His first creations were rap verses and percussive beats, skills that were not introduced to the world until over a decade later. His inquisitive nature brought him to the world of jazz, and he fell in love once again, writing many of the arrangements from his 'Soar' LP before entering college at the prestigious Hartt School. His live shows are a vivacious mixture of original songs and arrangements of timeless standards.
Emery Austin Smith- piano
Sarah Hanahan Quintet – FEBRUARY 10, 3-4PMSarah Hanahan Quartet is an extremely creative, spontaneous, and unique sounding group. Comprised of some of the best jazz musicians on the scene, this band makes for an incredibly energetic performance. This quartet will play original compositions of Sarah's, but also classic standard repertoire and also the music of saxophone hero, Jackie McLean. Sarah has been studying at the Jackie McLean Institute for 3 years now and has been working closely with mentor and world renowned bassist, Nat Reeves. Sarah is enjoying working with her quartet to keep expanding their musical sound and push the boundaries of jazz.
Sarah Hanahan - Alto Saxophone |
Nick Di Maria Quintet – FEBRUARY 17
Nick Di Maria - trumpet/compositions |
Leala Cyr Group – FEBRUARY 24
Leala Cyr - voice/trumpet |
Brian Charette – MARCH 3
Brian Charette - piano |
The Carl Bartlett, Jr. Quartet – MARCH 10
Carl Bartlett, Jr. - alto saxophone |
Orice Jenkins presents: Centennial Cole – MARCH 17
Orice Jenkins - voice, arrangements, piano
"Cuatro Puntos" Chamber Group: |
Mary DiPaola Trio – MARCH 24
Mary DiPaola - piano |
KingPorter BAM BAND – MARCH 31
Frank Kozyrah - tenor sax |
Firey String Sistas! – APRIL 7
Marlene Rice - violinist |
Matt Dwonszyk and the Dwonztet – APRIL 14
Matt Dwonszyk - bass |
Giacomo Gates – APRIL 28Giacomo Gates is a bebop and scat singer from Connecticut. Gates does more than sing “a bunch of songs.” He is truly an entertainer, for all ages and styles, as audiences enjoy the music, the interaction on the bandstand between him and his musicians, the spontaneity, the humor, the stories about the music and composers, along with their relation to everyday life. Giacomo’s sheer joy, exuberance, wit and unlimited creativity make him one of jazz’s most compelling artists.
Giacomo Gates - vocals
TBD - Piano TBD - Bass TBD - Drums |
SPONSORED BY THE KAMAN FOUNDATION