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In 2024, Baby Grand Jazz is celebrating its 20th season. Hartford Public Library is excited to host everyone back at the Downtown Library in the Center for Contemporary Culture (CCC).
All concerts are from 3:00-4:00 p.m. with doors opening at 2:00 p.m. All shows will continue to be streamed on Hartford Public Library's Facebook page and YouTube channel.
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RESCHEDULED TO:
February 11: Nat Reeves and Friends
Doors open at 1 p.m., concert at 2 p.m.
Center for Contemporary Culture
Downtown Library, 500 Main St.
Enter through the Library's Arch Street entrance only.
For more than 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), and he has led his own recordings “State of Emergency” and “Blue Ridge.” In 2001 Nat began a full-time teaching career at The Hartt School, Jackie McLean Institute. Although Nat retired from the University in 2021, he continues to perform and teach. Learn more at https://natreeves.com/.
Nat Reeves, bass
Sarah Hanahan, alto saxophone
Caelan Cardello, piano
Hank Allen-Barfield, drums
January 14: Angelina Kolobukhova Quartet
Doors open at 2 p.m., concert at 3 p.m.
Center for Contemporary Culture
Downtown Library, 500 Main St.
Enter through the Library's Arch Street entrance only.
Angelina Kolobukhova is a vocalist born and raised in Minsk, Belarus. She has previously collaborated with the New Brunswick Jazz Project, Hartford Jazz Society, NPR Live Sessions and performed at Birdland Jazz Club, Room 623, Ornithology Jazz Club, among other NYC venues. Angelina's current vocal influences include Ella Fitzgerald, Sarah Vaughan, Nancy Wilson, Abbey Lincoln, and Cecile McLorin Salvant, among others. Her instrumental influences are Cannonball Adderley, Clifford Brown, Oscar Peterson, Mulgrew Miller, Hank Jones, and Roy Hargrove. Angelina performs standards from the American Songbook with original arrangements as well as her own original compositions. Learn more at https://angelinajazz.com
Angelina Kolobukhova, vocals
Tyler Henderson, piano
Sameer Shankar, bass
Aaron Seeber, drums
January 21: John Kordalewski Trio
Doors open at 2 p.m., concert at 3 p.m.
Center for Contemporary Culture
Downtown Library, 500 Main St.
Enter through the Library's Arch Street entrance only.
John Kordalewski is best known as the leader, pianist, and arranger for the Makanda Project, a 13-piece, Boston-based ensemble. He is also arranger and conductor for the Chicago-based Chico Freeman orchestra and he currently works with the Ricky Ford Quartet, as well as leading his own groups. This current trio has performed all over, including the Cambridge River Fest and Mandorla Music Series, as well as past Baby Grand Jazz series. The music is a wide-ranging mixture of original compositions, pieces by Thelonious Monk and Makanda Ken McIntyre, as well as reflecting the musicians' experiences traveling over the world.
John Kordalewski, piano
Wes Brown, bass
Royal Hartigan, drums
January 28: Will Goble Quintet
Doors open at 2 p.m., concert at 3 p.m.
Center for Contemporary Culture
Downtown Library, 500 Main St.
Enter through the Library's Arch Street entrance only.
Will Goble is a bassist, composer, bandleader, and educator. He became interested in jazz and related art forms after growing up within the creative music scene in the Research Triangle area of North Carolina. During his twenty-plus year career, Will has contributed to a number of musical communities and released two albums under his own name: Some Stories Tell No Lies (2012) and Consider the Blues (2016, Origin Arts). Will's music explores the blues, swing ,and other important grooves born of Black American and Afro-Caribbean musical worlds. Currently based in New Haven, CT, Will performs as a sideman and bandleader. Learn more about Will at https://www.willgoblemusic.com/
Will Goble, bass
Haneef Nelson, trumpet
Nathan Edwards, tenor sax
Jen Allen, piano
Ryan Sands, drums
February 4: Trevor Watkis Trio
Doors open at 2 p.m., concert at 3 p.m.
Center for Contemporary Culture
Downtown Library, 500 Main St.
Enter through the Library's Arch Street entrance only.
Pianist Trevor Watkis, is a London born multi-talented internationally-known pianist, arranger and composer, who studied at Berklee College of Music, in Boston. Now based in New York City and establishing his name on the east coast scene. Trevor has performed sold out shows at venues such as Dizzy Club (NYC) and Scullers (Boston), his list of performing credits includes appearances with UK-based greats Courtney Pine, Jean Toussaint, and world renown icons such as the late Billy Higgins, Stanley Turrentine and Betty Carter, also, Gary Bartz, Eddie Henderson, James Spaulding and recently toured with Kenny Garrett and recorded with Steve Turre.
Trevor Watkis, piano
Dezron Douglas, bass
Donald Edwards, drums
February 11: Y3W +1
Doors open at 2 p.m., concert at 3 p.m.
Center for Contemporary Culture
Downtown Library, 500 Main St.
Enter through the Library's Arch Street entrance only.
Jordan Young Artist Statement: “In my artistic practice, I aim to communicate constructions of illustrations of sonic allusions that challenge literal or figurative archetypes. Through music composition, settings are reimagined, characters are reconstructed, stories are deconstructed and stereotypes are disarmed. Inspirations towards this compositional philosophy include Duke Ellington's Concert of Sacred Music, Second Sacred Concert, Ornette Coleman's Law Years, All My Life, Wayne Shorter's Unknown Soldier, Aung San Suu Kyi, Prometheus Unbound and many more. With this research, I composed the score for the 2022 production of Broken Box Mime Company's “Asks Why”—a play presenting Critical Race Theory to families.”
Jordan Young, saxophone
Paul Cuffari, bass
Ele Howell, drums
Michael Carabello, piano
February 18: Gianni Gardner Quintet
Doors open at 2 p.m., concert at 3 p.m.
Center for Contemporary Culture
Downtown Library, 500 Main St.
Enter through the Library's Arch Street entrance only.
Gianni Gardner is a New York based jazz guitarist originally from West Hartford, Connecticut. Gardner studied with the local legendary guitarist Doug Maher, vocalist Dianne Mower, and saxophonist Dan O'Brien. In 2021 he graduated from Western Connecticut State University where he studied with Christopher Morrison, Jimmy Greene, Jamie Begian, and more. Gardner is pursuing graduate studies at the Manhattan School of Music, learning from guitarist Chris Rosenberg and Mike Moreno, trumpeter Ingrid Jensen, percussionist Rogerio Boccato, and others. His band brings a unique energy to every performance. They tell stories through their original compositions and strive for a performance of authenticity and inclusiveness. Learn more at https://giannigardnerguitar.com/
Gianni Gardner, guitar
McKenzie McCarthy, tenor sax
Francesco Pollon, piano
Conway Campbell Jr., bass
Peru Eizagirre, drums
February 25: Erez Aviram Ensemble
Doors open at 2 p.m., concert at 3 p.m.
Center for Contemporary Culture
Downtown Library, 500 Main St.
Enter through the Library's Arch Street entrance only.
The Erez Aviram Ensemble consists of eight versatile musicians from New York City, including Meg Okura, Nicholas Biello, Justin Mullens and more, who play Aviram’s compositions. The ensemble, combining traditional orchestral instruments with a powerful rhythm and horn sections, creates a bridge between the written and the improvised, skipping flawlessly between genres and modes to produce intellectual and emotive music. Learn more about Erez Aviram at: https://www.erezaviram.com/
Erez Aviram, piano
Skyler Hagner, baritone saxophone
Justin Mullens, french horn
Meg Okura, violin
Nicholas Biello, soprano saxophone, alto saxophone, flute
Zachary Brown, cello
Marcelo Maccagnan, bass guitar
Maxime Cholley, drums
March 3: Thread City Jazz Trio
Doors open at 2 p.m., concert at 3 p.m.
Center for Contemporary Culture
Downtown Library, 500 Main St.
Enter through the Library's Arch Street entrance only.
Thread City Jazz Trio started playing together in 2014; their first CD was released in January, 2023, and another is planned for 2024. Pianist Anthony Cornicello is a Professor of Music at Eastern Connecticut State University. Rick O'Neal plays bass for a few regional bands, including Delta Generators and Straight Up Jazz. He studied music at Eastern Connecticut State University, where he now works, as well as at the Pomfret School, and the Complex Center for the Arts. Percussionist Matthew Bronson studied music education from Western and holds a Masters of Music from the University of Minnesota Duluth. He is an adjunct Professor at Eastern. Learn more at https://threadcityjazz.com/
Anthony Cornicello, piano
Rick O'Neal, bass
Matt Bronson, drums
March 10: Andrew Wilcox Trio
Doors open at 2 p.m., concert at 3 p.m.
Center for Contemporary Culture
Downtown Library, 500 Main St.
Enter through the Library's Arch Street entrance only.
Andrew Wilcox, originally from Boylston, Massachusetts, is one of Hartford’s rising young musicians. He was a student of Rick Germanson, Ralph Peterson, Orrin Evans, and the late Stanley Cowell. Andrew played alongside Jazzmeia Horn at the Newport Jazz Festival. He is a regular member of the Haneef Nelson Quintet and Ed Byrne Quartet, among other groups. The trio features Andrew Wilcox, Avery Sharpe and Yoron Israel. Mentored by both Sharpe and Israel, Andrew's original compositions and arrangements are at the forefront of the trio's repertoire. Andrew's debut record (coming later in 2023), features this unit. Learn more at https://andrewwilcoxmusic.com/
Andrew Wilcox, piano
Avery Sharpe, bass
Yoron Israel, drums
March 17: Nicole Zuraitis
Doors open at 2 p.m., concert at 3 p.m.
Center for Contemporary Culture
Downtown Library, 500 Main St.
Enter through the Library's Arch Street entrance only.
Connecticut native, Nicole Zuraitis is a Grammy winning and two-time Grammy-nominated jazz singer-songwriter, pianist and arranger, New York-based bandleader and winner of the prestigious 2021 American Traditions Vocal Competition Gold Medal. With a “heart as big as her remarkable voice,” (Jazz Police), Nicole has positioned herself as one of the top artists and "prolific songwriters" (Broadway World) to watch in jazz and beyond. As a recording artist, Nicole has released five albums as leader, and her sixth album How Love Begins, co-produced with eight-time Grammy-winner Christian McBride, released July 7th, 2023, featuring all original music. It was nominated for Best Jazz Vocal Album for the 2024 Grammy awards. Learn more at https://www.nicolezmusic.com/
Nicole Zuraitis, voice/piano
Dan Pugach, drums
Idan Morim, guitar
Sam Weber, bass
March 24: Matt DeChamplain Quintet
Doors open at 2 p.m., concert at 3 p.m.
Center for Contemporary Culture
Downtown Library, 500 Main St.
Enter through the Library's Arch Street entrance only.
Working extensively in a diverse range of musical settings, Matt DeChamplain accompanies jazz vocalists and appears with post-bop ensembles while also specializing in stride piano (both solo piano and within an ensemble context), playing in a variety of New Orleans/traditional jazz settings both nationally and internationally. 2023 and 2024 saw the release of three recorded collaborations: Reunion (Summit Records) with saxophonist Greg Abate and bassist Paul Del Nero (#37 on JazzWeek Charts); Reverence: A Tribute to Oscar Peterson and Stephane Grappelli (co-led by Matt and virtuoso violinist Jason Anick featuring guitarist Matt Munisteri and bassist Eduardo Belo); and a guest appearance on bassist Avery Sharpe’s forthcoming album on JKNM Records. A trio album and solo piano album under Matt's own name are also in the works set to be released next year. Additionally, Matt holds a faculty position at The Jackie McLean Institute of Jazz @theharttschool. This program will highlight his original compositions and arrangements. Learn more at mattdechamplain.com
Matt DeChamplain, piano
Kris Allen, saxophone
Matt Dwonszyk, bass
Jonathan Barber, drums
Haneef Nelson, trumpet
April 7: Nino Ciampa & The Hartt Salsa All Stars
Doors open at 2 p.m., concert at 3 p.m.
Center for Contemporary Culture
Downtown Library, 500 Main St.
Enter through the Library's Arch Street entrance only.
The Hartt Salsa All-Stars are the first ensemble from the University of Hartford to be devoted exclusively to New York-style salsa music. Nino Ciampa, 19-year-old Boston native of Italian and Cuban descent, serves as the group's bandleader and arranger who also sings and plays percussion for the group. They have performed various times on campus as well as in Willimantic, CT and Coventry, CT. They have played gigs as a salsa septet, a full 20+ piece big band, and everything in between. Learn more at https://culturalyst.com/theharttsalsaallstars
Vocals: Nino Ciampa, Miguel Cardona Jr., Christian Collazo-Román, Jason Cain, Haylee Caserta, & Nick Gastello
Flute: Jillian Powles
Saxes: James Lewis, Dakota Jones, & Michael Dubler
Trumpets: Dylan Ludoviconi, Jonah Bailis, & Jason Cain
Trombones: Tyler Wolfe, Ethan Abrams, & Luke Actie
Piano: Makenna Fowler
Bass: Sam Jacobs
Percussion: Michael Spanedda, Honoka Masuyama, Nate Butler, & Nino Ciampa
April 14: Eric Mintel Quartet
Doors open at 2 p.m., concert at 3 p.m.
Center for Contemporary Culture
Downtown Library, 500 Main St.
Enter through the Library's Arch Street entrance only.
For the past 30 years the Eric Mintel Quartet have been thrilling audiences throughout the world with their electrifying jazz concerts. With invitations to perform for two Presidents (Clinton, 1998, and Obama, 2011), a special concert at the United Nations, and more than ten concerts at the Kennedy Center, the Eric Mintel Quartet continues to tour and introduce themselves to new audiences wherever they go. Jazz legend Dave Brubeck said "As long as the music attracts dedicated young musicians like Eric Mintel and the Eric Mintel Quartet, jazz will continue to thrive and progress as a voice of freedom!" Learn more at https://ericmintelquartet.com/
Eric Mintel, piano
Nelson Hill, alto sax
Dave Mohn, drums
Jack Hegyi, electric bass
April 21: Rachel Therrien
Doors open at 2 p.m., concert at 3 p.m.
Center for Contemporary Culture
Downtown Library, 500 Main St.
Enter through the Library's Arch Street entrance only.
Rachel has presented her Latin Jazz project in multiple formats since 2009, with compositions and arrangements influenced from different Latin-American and Caribbean countries. After living in Cuba, where studied at the Instituto Supérior de Arte in Havana, Therrien founded her own project to play the music of the cultures she’s so passionate about. Her latest album "Mi Hogar" celebrates her experiences in different Latin Jazz ensembles. Joined by drums, piano, bass and percussion, sometimes guitar and horn sections, Rachel Therrien runs a warm show high in soulful human connections with covers of groups Irakere, Buena Vista Social Club, Dizzy Gillespie, a Latin jazz John Coltrane and many compositions. Learn more at https://racheltherrien.com/
April 28: Haneef Nelson
Doors open at 2 p.m., concert at 3 p.m.
Center for Contemporary Culture
Downtown Library, 500 Main St.
Enter through the Library's Arch Street entrance only.
This jazz group blends history with today and creates a sound that's both timeless and classic. Haneef N. Nelson works as a composer/arranger, bandleader, sideman, musical curator, and educator, based out of Hartford, CT. 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, Nat Reeves, and more. He has taught at The Hartt School, UMASS Amherst, Amherst College, Keene State College and currently teaches at the University of Rhode Island.
Haneef N. Nelson, trumpet/flugelhorn
Nathan Edwards, tenor.soprano sax
Andrew Wilcox, piano/vibraphone
Matt Dwonszyk, base
Akin Hobson, drums
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