Hartford Jazz Society is proud to sponsor the New Directions Jazz Ensemble, co-led by noted musician/educators Earl MacDonald and Kris Allen. This 10-piece group features seasoned veterans playing side-by-side with some of the most talented up-and-coming young musicians anywhere. Come hear this powerful band perform original arrangements that showcase the incredible richness of the Hartford jazz scene.

A recent graduate of the Hartt School, pianist Matt DeChamplain plays with amazing dexterity and superb taste while covering the history of jazz piano from ragtime and stride to modern. Tonight he pays tribute to one of his most important musical insprirations -- the late, great Oscar Peterson.

$5 cover. One of the most respected pianists of his generation, Anthony Wonsey comes to Hartford to show why he's in high demand with such leading musicians as Kenny Garrett, Carl Allen and Nicholas Payton. Check out some tracks from his Sharp Nine CD, "The Thang"

Tenor saxophonist Kris Jensen returns to Black-eyed Sally's to show why he's among the most inventive and expressive musicians on the scene today. He has performed in a wide array of genres with many top artists, including Dickie Betts and the Allman Brothers, Maynard Ferguson, Eddie Henderson, Roy Haynes, Randy Johnston, George Coleman and Jackie McLean.

July 5, 12, 19, 26 & August 2

Free concerts in Bushnell Park from 6pm
Jazz at Black-eyed Sally's from 8:30pm

info about Bushnell Park concerts...

Black-eyed Sally's will close for the federal holiday. Enjoy the concert in Bushnell Park. Jam sessions resume July 12th.

$5 cover. Lummie Spann and Dezron Douglas have been making waves in the jazz world nationally and beyond but they never forget to bring the music back home to Hartford. They co-lead this dynamic group through an array of original music. Tonight their special guest is trombonist Clifton Anderson, well-known for his work both as leader and as a long-time member of the Sonny Rollins Group. Clifton's website

Guitarist Sean Clapis (Hartt '09) gathers the best of Hartford's young jazz musicians to celebrate the release of his first CD, Convergence. Sean's website

$5 cover. Come welcome bassist Seth Lewis, now based in NYC, back to Hartford as he releases his new CD Time Signature, which features the talents of Neal Smith, Jim Rotondi, Steve Davis, George Colligan, Jovan Alexandre & Renato Thomas. Seth Rick Neal

Drummer Jake Goldbas returns to Sally's for his debut as leader, bringing a powerful group of eclectic young musicians mostly drawn from Manhattan School of Music. Connecticut native Christian Sands on piano has been well known for years to area jazz connoisseurs for his electrifying performances. With members coming from the US mainland, Puerto Rico & Nepal, this group will prove what talented young musicians on a mission to bring together Afro-Cuban jazz & world music can do.

Pianist Jen Allen brings her stellar quintet to Sally's stage for the first time this week. An accomplished educator and performer, Allen's music balances a deep respect for the jazz tradition with forward-looking compositions and arrangements.

Drummer Jonathan Barber returns with some of the brightest young stars in jazz, including Sam Parker on piano (who last appeared at Sally's with Ed Fast and Conga Bop). Come hear the future of jazz and you'll understand why veteran musicians lose sleep worrying about these guys!

$5 cover. Young trumpet phenom Josh Evans has already toured with such famed musicians as Winard Harper, Ralph Peterson and the late, great Rashied Ali. Tonight Josh is proud to bring an all-star rhythm section with special guests Nat Reeves, Alan Palmer & Eric McPherson.
Watch Josh with Rashied Ali
Watch Alan, Nat & Eric with Jackie McLean

Kris Jensen returns with a stellar lineup sure to fire up the night with great jazz in this tribute to the music of Thelonious Monk. Having performed with a wide range of musicians, including Maynard Ferguson, Dickie Betts and The Allman Brothers, Kris Jensen is among the most inventive and expressive saxophonists on the scene today.

Trumpeter Valery Ponomarev left his native Russia to join the legendary Art Blakey Band. Since then he has played the world's most prestigious venues both as sideman and band leader with top musicians including Max Roach, Benny Golson, Harold Land and Paquito D'Rivera. Valery's Website

As a virtuoso hard bop trumpeter, Russian-born Valery Ponomarev creates beautiful, expressive solos that crackle with visceral, right-to-the-point, memorable musical narratives.   --Owen McNally, Hartford Courant

In celebration of Herbie Hancock's 70th birthday, pianist Craig Hartley brings his band to Black-eyed Sally's for a night dedicated to the music of this living jazz master.

$5 cover. New Jazz Workshop's Lummie Spann shares this exceptional double alto front line with special guest Jaleel Shaw, well-known for his work with the Mingus Big Band, Dave Holland and the legendary Roy Haynes. Lummie   Jaleel

Lee Mixashawn Rozie pays homage to his Native American and African heritage through his unique approach to saxophone that is both adventurously experimental and deeply rooted in the jazz tradition. website

Join us as guitarist Rich Goldstein's quintet pays tribute to the essential jazz legacy of Wes Montgomery. website

Back from their busy international touring schedule, Hartford pianist Warren Byrd returns with very special guest Saskia Laroo on trumpet. Warren's website   Saskia's website

Saxophonist Kris Allen teaches at the Hartt School, Trinity College and the Litchfield Jazz Festival Summer Music School. He has performed with many jazz legends, including Illinois Jacquet, Gerald Wilson and Curtis Fuller, as well as modern stars such as Steve Davis, Andy Laverne and Kevin Mahogany. website

Come celebrate with special guests and Hartford's jazz community in honor of our own young legend Lummie Spann.

Pianist-extraordinaire Peter Madsen brings his latest all-star trio direct from Europe to Black-eyed Sally's. $5 cover. website

MPF Quintet presents the Kwanzaa Suite -- In celebration of Black History Month.

Conga-Bop combines the sensibilities of hard-bop with Caribbean rhythms, creating a vibrant sound that is both latin and jazz. Drummer, vibist & composer Ed Fast leads this group through an exciting array of original compositions and standards. website    listen

with special guest Nat Reeves website

$5 cover. Among the top trombonists in jazz today, Steve Davis lives right here in Hartford but travels the world leading his own bands, as a member of the famed cooperative group One For All and in killing all-star big bands led by such legends as Jimmy Heath and Slide Hampton. Steve's website

In addition to teaching at at the Artists Collective and the Greater Hartford Academy of the Arts, guitarist Sean Clapis (Hartt '09) has become well-known locally playing with musicians such as Steve Davis, Mark Templeton, Rogerio Boccato and Nat Reeves.