Jazz Police - The 2012 Litchfield Jazz Festival

The 2012 Litchfield Jazz Festival – Coming August 10-12

Written by Sheila Horne Mason

Monday, 06 August 2012

Gary Smulyan©Andrea Canter

Connecticut’s Litchfield Jazz Festival was launched in 1996, under the auspices of Litchfield Performing Arts, Inc., and since has become one of the most well-established festivals in the United States. This year’s festival will take place August 10-12. Vita West Muir, Artistic/Executive Director of Litchfield Performing Arts, announced that in its 17th year, the festival is returning to the great outdoors, the Goshen Fairgrounds.

Friday, August 10

Festivities begin with the “Friends of the Festival” Opening Night Gala at the all-new Sunset Lounge. The gala will feature actor-singer-guitarist Dominic Chianese (Uncle Junior from HBO’s The Sopranos), The Four Freshmen, Vince Giordano and the Nighthawks, and Artist-in-Residence Gary Smulyan, baritone saxophonist extraordinaire. The fundraising gala will also include a swing jazz party and a live auction. On both Friday, August 10 and Saturday August 11, there will be an After Party and Open Jam at the West Street Grill in Litchfield, immediately following the last performance. Anyone with an instrument is welcome to sit in with the Nick Roseboro Trio.

Saturday, August 11

Helen Sung©Andrea Canter

On Saturday the festival will host the Ambrose Akinmusire Quintet, the Helen Sung Trio, The Sojourner Truth Project with Avery Sharpe, the Benny Green Quartet, “Salute to George Coleman” with Gary Smulyan and Eric Alexander, and the Dirty Dozen Brass Band.

Sunday, August 12

The Grégoire Maret Quartet will kick off the music on Sunday, followed by the Donny McCaslin Group, the Hubert Laws Quartet, and the Miguel Zenón Quartet. Kevin Mahogany and Dave Stryker’s Kansas City Swing will be the closing act of the festival.

Litchfield Jazz Camp

Benny Green©Andrea Canter

In addition to hosting some big names in jazz over the years, Litchfield Jazz Festival is proud of its association with Litchfield Jazz Camp. The Litchfield Jazz Camp gives scholarships to aspiring jazz musicians, holds workshops taught by established musicians, and gives the students opportunities to perform at festival-related events. Both students and faculty from the Jazz Camp will perform in a number of free concerts leading up to the festival, in various area venues. The Jazz Camp’s Music Director, Don Braden, believes in a holistic approach to jazz education, with emphasis not only on the music itself, but also on a healthy lifestyle. Mr. Braden is an accomplished saxophonist and composer, and he has created scores for independent films and TV shows. In addition to his role at Litchfield Jazz Camp, Braden has toured with jazz heavyweights Betty Carter, Wynton Marsalis, Freddie Hubbard, Roy Haynes, and many more. Don Braden has also recorded numerous CDs as a sideman and as a leader. He brings a wealth of knowledge and experience to the Litchfield Jazz Camp.

Activities for Children

Dave Stryker©Andrea Canter

In addition to the participation of the Jazz Camp students, this year, the festival has expanded other fun activities for children. Jazz for Kids, a mini-workshop, will be held on Saturday and Sunday, and is designed to introduce children to rhythm and improvisation with the use of percussion instruments. The workshop will provide shakers, wood blocks, and tambourines, but people are also welcome to bring their own. Gary Smulyan will lead this fun music jam on Saturday, August 11, and Don Braden will lead on Sunday, August 12.

Dance for Kids will be held on Saturday, August 11 only. This creative movement session will be hosted by choreographer Matthew Westerby, and children will learn dance moves and play movement games. No experience is needed for participation, and this workshop is suitable for children ages 12 and under. Parents are asked to accompany their children, and encouraged to join in the fun.

Beyond the Music

The festival will also host a number of vendors who offer fine arts, crafts, and clothing. Some of the vendors this year include Adrienne Lockett Designs, African Heritage Collection, Elm Bath and Body, Gulino Artware, Kathleen Noel Millinery and Brady Candell Pottery, Lotus Scopes & Carriage House Soaps, Muriel Badinelli Designs, Painter Hill Art, Quiltnips, Sign Barn, Some Kind of Art, and Tom Homann Pottery. There will also be an array of food, wine, and beer vendors, including Olde Burnside Brewing Company, Martin Ray Winery, This Place Catering/The Ultimate BBQ, Kumo Japanese Cuisine, and AJ’s Steak and Pizza, to Ben & Jerry’s ice cream, sorbet, and fresh smoothies.

Tickets

Several options for tickets are available, including the Backstage Pass (only 10 available per day), Single and Multi-Day VIP Passes, Multi-Day Tent or Lawn JazzPasses, and Single-Day Tickets. Discounts are available on advance tickets, and you can view the seating chart online before you make your purchase. Advance ticket prices expire on Friday, August 10, at 5:00 pm. After that time you can still buy tickets online, but gate prices will apply.

For more information on tickets, or general information on the Litchfield Jazz Festival, go to www.litchfieldjazzfest.com.

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