Albert Rivera Organ Quintet
Contemporary, smooth, and eclectic just begin to describe Albert Rivera, “a modern Jazz Messenger” with one of the most exciting saxophone sounds in today’s jazz scene. Born in Bronx, NY, Albert began playing as a classical musician at age 10, and he made his first appearance at Carnegie Hall two
The Four Freshmen
“Now in their 62nd year of performance, The Four Freshmen continue to bring their unique brand of vocal harmony to audiences worldwide” The Four Freshmen are one of the top vocal groups of the 1950s and today. The sound that began in 1948 at Butler University in Indianapolis by founding member brothers
Vince Giordano & The Nighthawks
“An erupting sense of euphoria: that would describe the vintage Swing eminating from Vince Giordano and The Nighthawks”– The New York Times A chance discovery of piles of 78s in his grandmother’s attic spawned a lifelong devotion to music in a five-year-old Vince Giordano. He began with violin, switched to
Helen Sung Trio
“Helen Sung has come into her own as a major artist” — Dan McClenaghan, All About Jazz Radio interview with Helen Sung on WHDD. LISTEN HERE. Winner of the 2007 Kennedy Center’s Mary Lou Williams Piano Competition, and named by Wynton Marsalis as one of his 2011 “Who’s Got Next:
Sojourner Truth Project with Avery Sharpe
“Even in these times of extraordinary bass players, Sharpe stand out” — Leonard Feather, Los Angeles Times Avery Sharpe is one of the outstanding bassists or our time. He is perhaps best known for his 20-year association with the McCoy Tyner Trio. He started his musical life at eight on
Ambrose Akinmusire Quintet
Litchfield Jazz Festival is proud to introduce to its audience trumpeter Ambrose Akinmusire, winner of the 2007 Thelonious Monk International Jazz Competition. Making waves since then, 2011 was his break-out year among fans who picked him as the #1 New Artist in the JazzTimes Reader’s Poll and the release of
Salute to George Coleman with Gary Smulyan and Eric Alexander
INTERVIEW WITH GARY SMULYAN Check out this great interview between A-I-R Gary Smulyan and Festival PR & Marketing Director about artist talks & clinics, Gary’s roots in the jazz world and more. Click HERE to read it. Gary Smulyan, baritone saxophonist and bebop master, is one of the major voices on
Benny Green Quartet
“One of jazz’s finest pianists” — Jesse Hamlin, San Franciso Chronicle Born in New York in 1963, pianist Benny Green has the history of jazz at his fingertips. He grew up in California and began classical piano at seven. Influenced by his father, a tenor saxophonist, his attention soon
Dirty Dozen Brass Band
In 1977, the Dirty Dozen Social and Pleasure Club in New Orleans began showcasing a traditional Crescent City brass band. It was a joining of two proud, but antiquated, traditions at the time: social and pleasure clubs dating back over a century to a time when black southerners could rarely
Grégoire Maret Quartet
Grégoire Maret was born in 1975 in Geneva, Switzerland and began playing the Harmonica at age 17. His childhood was filled with a diverse array of musical influences from his Harlem born, African-American mother and his Swiss father, a local jazz musician. Upon graduating from the prestigious Conservatoire Supérieur de