You won’t want to miss this incredible weekend of world-class jazz! Secure your spot now by getting your tickets early and celebrate three decades of unforgettable music at the 30th Annual Litchfield Jazz Festival!
Litchfield Jazz Festival Celebrates 30 Years of Musical Brilliance
Photo by Lindsey Victoria Photography Don’t miss this unforgettable celebration of three decades of jazz excellence!
The 30th Anniversary Litchfield Jazz Festival returns to Washington, CT from Friday, July 25th through Sunday, July 27th with a powerhouse weekend of jazz, food, and celebration at The Frederick Gunn School. This year’s milestone event welcomes back acclaimed alumni and internationally renowned artists for three unforgettable days!
In addition to showcasing established talent, the festival continues its tradition of supporting young musicians through its long-running Litchfield Jazz Camp, making it both a celebration of jazz’s rich history and up-and-coming new artists.
Take a look at the exciting line-up of all things jazz at the 30th Litchfield Jazz Festival!
Opening Night Gala
Friday, July 25th
Litchfield Jazz Festival begins with the Opening Night Gala featuring music by this year’s outstanding Jazz Campers along with Emmet Cohen Trio with Joey Ranieri on bass, Joe Farnsworth on drums, and Emmet on keys. In the spirit of their recent festival openers, this is another tip-of-the-hat to the iconic Litchfield Jazz Camp. Emmet is a former Jazz Camper who joined Litchfield Jazz Camp in his teens and made his festival mainstage debut in 2013 fresh out of college.
Emmet Cohen
Litchfield Jazz Camp by Stephan Papandrea
“For all of us at Litchfield Jazz, this is not a job, it’s a mission. Judging by the responses we get from the public, we know they feel it.”
— Vita Muir, Executive/Artistic Director & Founder
Jazz All Day
Saturday, July 26th
Saturday’s amazing performances begin at 3:00pm with the Matt Dwonszyk Sextet. Matt is one of the fastest-rising, in-demand bassists working today, and, like Emmet, he too was a Litchfield Camper. Matt is joined by Kris Allen on saxophone, Andrew Renfroe on guitar, Taber Gable on piano, Jonathan Barber on drums, and Shenel Johns, a featured roster artist at Jazz at Lincoln Center, on vocals.
Next up, the festival presents the distinguished guitar duo Pasquale Grasso and Frank Vignola. The young Grasso came into Litchfield’s sphere when he performed with Samara Joy at the Litchfield Jazz Festival in 2022. Grasso also has a regular Monday night residency at Mezzrow in NYC. Frank Vignola is a master of his instrument, and his extensive touring has taken him to 21 countries and counting. He can be heard regularly at Birdland Theater in New York.
Matt Dwonszyk Sextet
Pasquale Grasso and Frank Vignola by Carl Rubino Photography
Finally, Litchfield Jazz Festival is thrilled to present the brilliant clarinetist/saxophonist Anat Cohen and her newest ensemble, Anat Cohen Quartetinho. This international group of multi-instrumentalist-virtuosos includes bassist Tal Mashiach, pianist/accordionist Vitor Goncalves, and vibraphonist/percussionist James Shipp. Anat Cohen Quartetinho will offer originals by Cohen, Mashiach, and Shipp along with material by the great masters Antonio Carlos Jobim, Egberto Gismonti, and others.
Anat Cohen Quartetinho by Eric Morgensen
A Special Jazz Brunch
Sunday, July 27th
On the last day of the 30th Litchfield Jazz Festival, ticketholders can enjoy al fresco dining and music in the beautiful Bourne Courtyard with a decadent spread from Chef Charlene Dutka. The 30th Anniversary Brunch will feature the radiant Champian Fulton Trio. Champian Fulton, a jazz pianist and vocalist who first graced the Litchfield stage in her early 20s, is joined by longtime collaborators Fukushi Tainaka (drums) and Hide Tanaka (bass). Praised by All About Jazz as “a balm for the soul,” Fulton promises a joyful and spirited finale.
Photo by Lindsey Victoria Photography
Champian Fulton Trio by Franck Benedetto
Get Your Tickets Today!
Jazz After Work
Jazz lovers can also tune in for “Jazz After Work” Concert Series on Monday, Tuesday, and Thursday evenings in July, hosted at the Frederick Gunn School’s Perakos Performing Arts Center. For over 20 years, Litchfield Jazz Camp has been opening evening faculty concerts to the public at its summer campus, and all members of the public are invited to attend free of charge!
Concerts feature faculty members consisting of world-class jazz players and the finest up-and-coming young professionals, many of whom attended the camp in previous years, as well as student performances on Friday evenings.
We’re delighted that the Litchfield Jazz Festival continues to be held in Washington, and we’re excited to welcome this year’s jazz aficionados to our town!
Learn more about the Litchfield Jazz Festival on their website.
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