“I chose Tony as my mentor for this project because he has always, and continues to, show me how to have a unique and individual voice. In his music…he always manages to stand out and be clearly different from everyone while making beautiful music. I have always valued individuality. Tony’s approach to music and life has taught me so much and gives me constant direction and a desire for innovation. Mario has been a part of every summer of my life at Litchfield Jazz Camp for a dozen years. He has influenced me in more ways than I could possibly express here.”
– Andrew Hadro on working with Tony Malaby and Mario Pavone
“Andrew Hadro is the best young baritone saxophonist I know. After studying with me he joined my working quintet for several years and continues to be one of my first choice saxophonists.” — Junior Mance
Andrew Hadro, saxophone
Andrew Hadro was not born into a musical family nor does he remember why or when he decided to pursue music. And still, he has dedicated his life to music and spent thousands of hours honing his abilities, working to expand and push forward instrumental performance.
Born in Mexico City, he moved with his family to Brazil, and then for a few years to the East Coast. They eventually settled in the Chicago area where Andrew began his studies on flute. He soon found his way to the baritone saxophone which would become the primary focus of his music. After high school he made a blind leap and moved to New York City where he attended the New School for Jazz and Contemporary Music. Named Salutatorian in 2007, he left soon after to tour and record with several of the New School’s founding faculty.
Andrew Hadro – photo Dale Rothenberg
Andrew has performed around the US and Europe with the Duke Ellington Orchestra, James Moody, Bjorkestra, Tony Malaby, Chico Hamilton, and Junior Mance, among many others. He is active in the New York music scene and involved in several projects and performances with his own groups. He is a director of Litchfield Jazz Camp, maintains an active private lesson studio, and works as a Product Specialist for Vandoren. He is also curator of JazzBariSax.com, a website dedicated to the baritone saxophone.
Tony Malaby, saxophone
Tony Malaby, who was recently named one of Downbeat’s “80 Coolest Things in Jazz” has also been hailed by JazzTimes as “a hero of today’s improvised music scene”. He has worked in the field for more than 20 years. Born in Tucson, his Mexican heritage permiates his music. Since 1997 he has released a string of records for the Clean Feed label, including one with the legendary trumpeter Wadada Leo Smith. Tony appeared on the very first Litchfield Jazz Festival in 1996 and on subsequent Festivals with Mario Pavone and others.
Tony Malaby – photo Claudio Casanova
Mario Pavone, bass
Mario is celebrating 50 years in music and his 75th birthday with us this year. He began playing bass in the early sixties and got his first big break in 1964 with pianist Paul Bley. He has played with Archie Shepp, Bill Dixon, Anthony Braxton, and notably with the late, great saxophone player Thomas Chapin, in whose recently released biopic, Night Bird Song, he is featured. He founded a record company in the 70’s and has appeared with artists like Jane Ira Bloom, Ray Anderson, Anthony Davis, Gerry Hemingway, Mark Helias, Leo Smith and many others. He co-founded the New Haven-based Creative Music Improvisers Forum (CMIF), which produced concerts and recordings that gave musicians more control over their own music. In addition to his ongoing activities as a bandleader, Pavone’s artwork and photography have graced the covers of dozens of recordings. His prodigious recording catalogue includes most recently the critically acclaimed Arc Trio and Street Songs. He is a recipient of a 2012 Chamber Music America New Works Grant. He has served as a board member for Litchfield Performing Arts for a dozen years, and performed on the Litchfield Jazz Festival on many occasions. He has served on the faculty of Litchfield Jazz Camp since 1998.
Mario Pavone -photo Steve Sussman
This is Andrew Hadro’s first appearance on Litchfield Jazz Festival as a leader. He is joined by mentors Mr. Malaby and Mr. Pavone, and Nick Roseboro on trumpet, and Robin Baytas on drums. Andrew’s first recording as a leader, For Us, The Living, was released in 2014 with Matt Wilson on drums, Daniel Foose, bass and Carmen Staaf, piano. The album title comes from the Gettysburg Address, and honors its 150thanniversary. All the tunes were written by living American composers. Andrew endorses Vandoren reeds and mouthpieces and RS Berkeley saxophones.
