Discovering Genius – Vocalist Michael Mayo

It’s always a challenge for me to find great male jazz vocalists.  I am picky to the point of obsession, and, when Frank Sinatra of the perfect phrasing, diction, pitch and timbre is your standard, who can ever measure up?  So I search and search and usually come up dry.

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Discovering Genius – Pianist Joe Alterman

People ask me all the time, “Where do you find these artists?.” I usually say “The real question is what do I do with all the artists I find?” Few call me because they seem to know there is no time for chitchat here. Most send CDs. I look at

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The Thrill of “Discovering Genius”

I was chatting with a festival fan recently who told me she was at the very first Litchfield Jazz Festival.  She came on her own and sat right up front.  That’s the beautiful thing about jazz AND life— you don’t have to be half of a matched set to enjoy

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Stories From Backstage – Bon Mots from Dr. John

Dr. John has a big fan base at Litchfield and headlined here twice.  The second time, a funny thing happened on the way to New Haven. So here’s the story.  The festival was going swimmingly when I received a call from the gate that a gaggle– read 25 or 30

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Litchfield Jazz Festival

Passages

My daughter Lindsey Turner and I attended two funerals in the past two weeks. On the last day of April we attended a very musical service for George Griebel in Sharon. George was a mechanical engineer in his working life and a sports car buff who was a favorite usher at Litchfield

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Stories from Backstage – Brave is As Brave Does: Eartha Kitt and the Big Surprise

Eartha Kitt was a legend.  No two ways about it.  I saw her live in 2004 at Mohegan Sun and rarely have I seen anyone own the stage the way she did.  She was 77 years old, beautiful, and sexy with the best pair of legs I have ever seen.

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Thank you for making Give Local a success

Thanks to all of our generous donors, Litchfield Performing Arts was able to raise over $7,000 to help support our programs during this year’s Give Local!  In today’s climate, where funding for education and the arts is threatened, your support is more critical than ever.  We would not be able

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Give Local is TOMORROW

Tomorrow, Tuesday April 25, and Wednesday April 26 is the Litchfield Hills Give Local Event.  The campaign officially begins tomorrow at 7:00 AM, but early giving has already started, so you may make your gift now if you prefer! Donations of any amount are greatly appreciated and will help us achieve

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Volunteer for the Litchfield Jazz Festival!

Volunteer registration is now open for the 22nd annual Litchfield Jazz Festival.  This is a fantastic opportunity to get involved with Litchfield Jazz and to be a part of our team.  The Jazz Festival would not be possible without our volunteers, YOU make it possible each and every year.  Enjoy

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Mark Your Calendar – Give Local is Coming to the Litchfield Hills April 25-26

Since it’s first year, Give Local, a 36 hour online giving event hosted by the Connecticut Community Foundation, has infused over $3.2 million dollars into the non-profit community in the Greater Waterbury area!  During this online event, every dollar donated will be streched further through matching funds and potential prizes. As the

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