Papo Vázquez Mighty Pirates Troubadours
Trombonist/composer/arranger Papo Vázquez is more than 35 years into a career spanning jazz, Latin, Afro-Caribbean and classical music, and recording. Born in Philadelphia, he spent his early years in Puerto Rico, came home and grew up in the heart of North Philadelphia’s Puerto Rican community. Papo bought his first trombone
Cécile McLorin Salvant
“If anyone can extend the lineage of the Big Three – Billie Holiday, Sarah Vaughan, and Ella Fitzgerald – it is this 23-year-old virtuoso…” Stephen Holden, New York Times Enjoy an interivew on NPR’s All Things Considered with Cecile McLorin Salvant and pianist Aaron Diehl – LISTEN HERE to Authentic Early Jazz, From A
Cyrus Chestnut Trio
The “best jazz pianist of his generation.” — TIME Magazine Virtuosic and playful, pianist Cyrus Chestnut’s hard swinging, soulful sounds have become a staple in the jazz community. Blending contemporary and traditional jazz with gospel and occasional seasonings of Latin and samba, Chestnut gives himself plenty of freedom to
Carmen Staaf Sextet – Standards Reimagined
“A most impressive pianist” –Bob Brookmeyer Winner of the 2009 Mary Lou Williams Women in Jazz Pianist Competition, Carmen Staaf has been called “a new star to discover” (Allmusic.com). Most recently she was chosen as the pianist in the prestigious Thelonius Monk Institute of Jazz Performance at UCLA’s Herb Alpert
Claudio Roditi Brazilian Jazz Sextet
“…I can think of only a handful of modern trumpeters who combine brain and soul, technique and wisdom in a way that matches Roditi’s.” –Neil Tesser, Chicago Reader Integrating post-bop elements and Brazilian rhythmic concepts into his palette with ease, Grammy-nominee Claudio Roditi plays both the trumpet and the flugelhorn
Anthony Strong
“As Jamie Cullum inches ever closer to…mainstream and Michael Bublé trades up to bigger …showings of bombast, along comes …Anthony Strong, a ball of energy who … combine(s) the best of both.” (Jazz Times) Listen to Anthony Strong on NPR’s Weekend Edition “A Young Brit Takes on the American Songbook.“ Anthony
The Gospel According to Jazz with Kirk Whalum
Kirk Whalum, the gold standard of smooth jazz saxophone, deplores labels. “The music I like to play and write,” he once said, “encompasses the four elements I grew up with: Memphis R&B, gospel, rock, and jazz. The emphasis, though, is on melody, period.” With a career that spans decades, he
Litchfield Jazz Orchestra Django Reinhardt Project
Litchfield Jazz Festival is within shouting distance from its third decade, and we have been talking about a resident orchestra for some time. Guitarist, educator and Litchfield Jazz Camp faculty member, Doug Munro, tired of talk, took the bull by the horns and did it! And so we introduce
