The fest opens officially on Friday evening, July 28, at 5:30 PM with its traditional Gala, serving delicious hors d’oeuvres from Ciesco Catering, vintage French wines from the VanDoren Vineyards, a full bar by Litchfield Distillery, and music by Litchfield Jazz Camp’s top players. Proceeds support need-based scholarships.
Music continues on Saturday, July 29th, with Jazz Camp combos warming up the crowd outdoors. Then, at noon, the fest brings to the stage some of the best jazz artists working today. Opening on the mainstage is the Ehud Asherie Trio, with Ehud on piano, Dezron Douglas, bass, and Jason Brown, drums. Ehud has worked with Cécile McLorin Salvant, Wycliffe Gordon, Catherine Russell, Charles McPherson, and others. Dezron, another former Litchfield Camper, is a long-time member of the Cyrus Chestnut Trio, and Jason is now a member of Amina Figarova’s Sextet.
Last summer the festival made its first appearance at Tisch to an exuberant crowd. The founder and Artistic Director, Vita Muir, who has a reputation for introducing the next big thing first, was the first to present Canadian vocalist Diana Krall to American Audience in 1996. Last year it was vocalist Samara Joy who wowed Litchfield opening night audiences and went on to win, at age 22, not one but two Grammy Awards. This year’s Opening Night Star-In-The-Making is 17- year-old pianist Brandon Goldberg.
Brandon came to Litchfield Jazz Camp as a 10-year-old who had been playing since he was 3, and he stayed with the program for a number of years. He was already performing professionally when he released his first album, Let’s Play to a 4-star review from DownBeat at age 12. In Good Time, his second release appeared 3 years later to another 4-star reception.
For a complete rundown of the program, visit: https://litchfieldjazzfest.com/2023/07/20/litchfield-jazz-festival-is-less-than-two-weeks-away/
Tickets: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/28th-annual-litchfield-jazz-festival-tickets-493925684017
