$5 cover. Latin jazz great Mongo Santamaria discovered vocalist Shawnn Monteiro in San Jose, signing her on the spot to tour with his band for two years. Since then Shawnn has performed with a prestigious list of jazz notables, including Clark Terry, Lionel Hampton, Frank Foster with the Basie Band, Nat Adderly, Kenny Barron and many others. Shawnn's website

Pianist Craig Hartley has studied under such jazz greats as Jackie Mclean, Joe Chambers, Steve Davis and Andy Laverne. Craig was awarded scholarships to the New School in NYC, the Hartt School and Manhattan School of Music, from which he graduated in 2006. From straight-ahead to free jazz, Craig's music fully encompasses all aspects of the jazz idiom. He has performed with many jazz greats, including Anthony Braxton, Eddie Henderson, Slide Hampton and Claudio Roditi. In addition to performing with such preeminent artists at renowned venues and festivals worldwide, Craig continues to work on a wide array of projects, including composing original vocal works, creating film soundtracks and leading multiple jazz ensembles.

This new cooperative quintet will present a program of original compositions and standards performed with the kind of spirit and fire that can only come from talented, hard-working young musicians on a mission to continue and expand upon a great artistic legacy. You don't want to miss hearing what the next generation brings to jazz.

A recent Hartt grad, trumpeter Josh Bruneau has already been making a splash in the jazz world, having played with the likes of Eddie Henderson, Jim Hall, Curtis Fuller and Steve Davis. This killin' quintet brings together the best of Hartford with NYC, and the promise of jazz's next generation alongside established world-class musicians. Anyone who heard Josh bring the house down when he sat in with Javon Jackson and Curtis Fuller recently at the Wadsworth can testify to this young man's extraordinary and unique talent.

Warren Byrd brings as his very special guest trailblazing Dutch trumpeter Saskia Laroo. Briefly visiting the US, we're honored that Saskia made time to play at Sally's in this killin' quartet before returning to her busy European CD release itinerary. Saskia's website   Warren's website

$5 cover. Alto saxophonist Mike DiRubbo has taken his place in the elite of New York City’s straight-ahead jazz musicians, combining an extensive knowledge of the jazz tradition and a highly individualistic approach to performance. A graduate of the Hartt School, Mike cut his teeth at Augie’s, a legendary NYC watering hole that served as an incubator of promising young talent. In this hothouse atmosphere DiRubbo joined a group of emerging stars, including Eric Alexander, Jim Rotondi and Steve Davis, all mentored by such veteran musicians as Harold Mabern, Cecil Payne, Eddie Henderson and George Coleman. DiRubbo has since evolved into a significant soloist, composer, and bandleader. In addition to his critcally acclaimed recordings for the Sharp Nine, Criss Cross and Posi-Tone labels, DiRubbo frequently performs at leading jazz festivals and top NYC clubs.

Pianist Jen Allen is an accomplished educator and performer. Her music balances a deep respect for the jazz tradition with forward-looking compositions and arrangements. Come celebrate the release of 'Pieces of Myself', her outstanding new CD. Jen's website

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Hartt School grad Yunie Mojica has been wowing CT audiences lately co-leading the Umoja Ensemble. Her special guest tonight is bassist Tyler Mitchell, who has recently returned to the US after spending a decade at the top of Mexico's growing jazz scene. He was a member of Taylor's Wailers and has performed with many legends, including Sun Ra, John Hendricks, Stanley Turrentine, Wynton Marsalis and George Coleman. Come hear this killin' quintet and learn why NYC jazz fans have been flocking to clubs to rediscover Tyler Mitchell.

Freak winter storm in October? State of emergency? C'mon! Sally's is open tonight and Steve Davis will be there. Don't stay home in the cold & dark -- get out and have some fun with great music, food and drink.

Longtime favorites Norman Gage and Kenny Reed lead this hard-swinging quintet. Hartford straight-ahead at its best!

$5 cover. Saxophonist Ken Fowser & vibraphonist Behn Gillece first made names for themselves in Philadelphia sitting in at local clubs like Chris' Jazz Cafe and Ortlieb's Jazzhaus. Now based in NYC, they play top venues with leading musicians, including David Hazeltine, Ryan Kisor, Joe Magnarelli, Joel Frahm and Steve Wilson. Come join the CD release party celebrating their outstanding new recording, Duotone.

"It's a winning program of original tunes that continues to show off the chemistry which exists between two exciting instrumental voices bound for the big time."   --All About Jazz review of 'Duotone'

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 inspirations -- the late, great Oscar Peterson.

$5 cover. Pianist Don DePalma has been a vital presence on Hartford's music scene for decades, having played with a veritable who's who of visiting jazz stars as leader of the legendary 880 Club's house band. Come enjoy the party as surprise guests join some of the nationally known musicians who launched careers at the 880.

This lean and mean 10-piece band, sponsored by the Hartford Jazz Society, is capable of packing the walloping punch of a full big band and the intimate subtleties of a combo. They perform both original works and fresh, swinging arrangements that showcase the incredible richness of the Hartford jazz scene.

Musical Director: Earl MacDonald      Artistic Director: Kris Allen

Baritone saxophonist Pete LeBlanc is well-known in the Hartford area both for superb musicianship and his "Making The Changes" jazz radio program. Tonight he brings this hard-swinging quintet with special guest Josh Evans on trumpet.

July 11th, 18th, 25th    August 1st & 8th

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

info about Bushnell Park concerts...

Trumpeter Haneef Nelson brings his quintet with special guest Helen Sung to an encore performance at Sally's. Helen Sung is a rising piano star who can do it all, garnering rave reviews for her inventive CD's and leading groups at top venues, including Dizzy's and the Jazz Standard in NYC. Helen's website

"Helen Sung, a pianist with classical chops and jazz street smarts, is on a roll this year, completing her first international tour as a band leader and now riding the wave of this excellent, high-octane release."   --Owen McNally, Hartford Courant review of "Helenistique"

$5 cover. You don't want to miss this all-NYC group led by tenor sax phenom Noah Preminger, a Hartford-area native who's been making waves on the international jazz scene. His quartet includes guitarist-extraordinaire Ben Monder, whose extensive discography shows why he's a 1st-call choice for today's leading jazz stars.

"Playing with the grace and expressiveness of a worldly-wise jazz veteran, the young man with a horn mixes cool restraint with emotional depth and old-fashioned poetry with contemporary bite."   --Owen McNally, Courant review of Noah's "Before The Rain"

Pianist Jen Allen is an accomplished educator and performer. Her music balances a deep respect for the jazz tradition with forward-looking compositions and arrangements. Special guest James Burton on trombone returns to Hartford to show why he's in high demand, playing with such high-profile musicians as Illinois Jacquet, James Moody, Jimmy Heath, Slide Hampton, the Dizzy Gillespie All-Star Big Band and the Roy Hargrove Big Band.

$5 cover. Saxophonist Lummie Spann plays regularly with such modern jazz stars as Steve Davis, Winard Harper and Jimmy Greene. Special guest Jeremy Pelt is one of hottest trumpeters of his generation. This first-rate quintet promises to heat things up with their fiery brand of straight-ahead jazz. Jeremy's website

Recent Hartt grad Josh Bruneau is already making a splash on the NYC jazz scene, sharing the stage at top clubs with the likes of Dr. Eddie Henderson, Curtis Fuller and the all-star group One For All. Come celebrate his birthday with this high-powered quintet and you'll know that the extraordinary 100 year lineage of jazz trumpeters continues into the future.

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

Electric blues meets bebop and contemporary influences to create an exciting convergence of sounds that has made Randy Johnston one of the hottest jazz guitarists anywhere. Randy has toured the world many times, playing and recording with such top musicians as Houston Person, Johnny Griffin, Lionel Hampton, Lee Konitz and Tom Harrell.

Randy on YouTube with legends Lou Donaldson & Dr. Lonnie Smith

Come hear big band music at its best! These kids are total pros, swinging hard with killin' arrangements from the libraries of classic big bands such as Ellington/Strayhorn, Basie, Dameron, Gillespie, Thad Jones/Mel Lewis -- plus original works and arrangements. Conducted by Chris Casey.

Audio sample of the band playing Oliver Nelson's Hoe Down

$5 cover. Among the top young trumpeters of his generation, Hartford's own Josh Evans recently made the move to NYC. He's already a veteran of bands led by Winard Harper, Ralph Peterson and the late, great Rashied Ali. Josh plays all the top clubs, including a regular slot leading late night sessions at the legendary Smalls. Special guests Nat Reeves on bass and Eric McPherson on drums were both longtime members of Jackie McLean's band and continue to tour worldwide playing with the best-of-the-best in jazz.
Watch Josh with Rashied Ali
Watch Nat & Eric with Jackie McLean

Pianist Craig Hartley's quintet showcases two fantastic Italian jazz musicians. Don't miss this rare opportunity to hear the fiery saxophonist Piero Odorici in Hartford. In addition to playing with legends like Cedar Walton and Slide Hampton, he's even recorded with Pavarotti! Trumpeter Fabio Morgera has been stirring up the New York scene since the 90s. Check out his 2007 release "Need for Peace" with gorgeous vocals and killing instrumentals. Fabio's website

LATE ANNOUNCEMENT: Due to illness, Piero Odorici is unable to perform tonight. Frank Kozyra will join the quintet on tenor sax.

$5 cover. Extraordinary pianist/composer Larry Willis makes a special appearance at Black-eyed Sally's. Mr. Willis has been in the forefront of jazz and all forms of music for over 45 years. Having worked with a who's-who of jazz greats too numerous to fully list (Jackie McLean, Dizzy Gillespie, Hugh Masekela), Mr. Willis also composes orchestral works, is a master of Latin jazz (Fort Apache Band) and played keyboards in the jazz-rock supergroup Blood, Sweat and Tears. Don't miss this rare opportunity to hear an artist of such high stature in an intimate setting right here in Hartford.

Led by alto saxophonist Yunie Mojica and trombonist Raynel Frazier, the UMOJA Sextet is inspired by the 7 principles of Kwanzaa. The group is named after the first principle, UMOJA, which means unity in Swahili and encompasses the concepts of community, faith and family.

Featuring original works by band members, UMOJA's sound carries global influences from Africa, Israel, Puerto Rico, Cuba and other cultures, always built upon a solid foundation of the African-American music known as jazz.

Rich Goldstein observes the birth anniversary of guitar great Wes Montgomery by assembling this killin' group with special guests Steve Davis and Kris Jensen. $5 cover.

$5 cover. Latin jazz great Mongo Santamaria discovered vocalist Shawnn Monteiro in San Jose, signing her on the spot to tour with his band for two years. Since then Shawnn has performed with a prestigious list of jazz notables, including Clark Terry, Lionel Hampton, Frank Foster with the Basie Band, Nat Adderly, Kenny Barron and many others. Shawnn'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

Pianist Don DePalma has been a vital presence on the Hartford jazz scene for decades, having played with a veritable who's who of visiting jazz stars as leader of the legendary 880 Club's house band. Tonight he features the outstanding vocalist Linda Ransom, plus surprise guests.

Alto and soprano saxophonist Lummie Spann is well-known in Hartford, NYC and beyond, playing regularly with such modern jazz stars as Steve Davis, Winard Harper and Jimmy Greene. A co-founder with Dezron Douglas of New Jazz Workshop, Lummie returns to Sally's to heat up the winter night with his fiery brand of straight-ahead jazz.

$5 cover. Bassist Mario Pavone leads this septet of outstanding musicians to perform music honoring the great South African pianist and composer Hotep Idris Galeta, who passed late last year. Mr. Galeta had strong connections to Hartford, having taught at the Hartt School until his return to South Africa after the fall of apartheid. The septet will play compositions by Mr. Galeta, and works dedicated to him by Mr. Pavone.