Jul 9, 2024 11:35 AM
Trumpeter, Educator Jim Rotondi Dies at 61
Jim Rotondi, a renowned hard-bop trumpeter, composer and educator, died suddenly on July 7 at a hospital in France. He…
Jimmy Greene will perform at the Litchfield Jazz Festival, which takes place Aug. 6–7 in Goshen, Connecticut. Greene’s 2014 CD is titlted Beautiful Life.
(Photo: Courtesy of the artist)Saxophonists Jimmy Greene, Donald Harrison, Don Braden and NEA Jazz Master Jimmy Heath are among the headliners scheduled to perform at the Litchfield Jazz Festival, which will take place at the Goshen Fairgrounds in Goshen, Connecticut, Aug. 6–7.
This year’s edition will be dedicated to bassist Mario Pavone, a founding member of the fest and an advocate for jazz education in the community. He will open the festival with a performance with tenor saxophonist Tony Malaby and a quartet led by baritone saxophonist Andrew Hadro on the festival’s Main Stage on Aug. 6.
A key theme of this year’s festival is “Generations of Jazz,” with a roster that pairs up-and-coming musicians with veteran artists. Pianist Emmet Cohen will appear with Heath on Aug. 7, vocalist Nicole Zuraitis will appear alongside guitarist Dave Stryker on Aug. 6, and saxophonist Albert Rivera will join guitarist Paul Bollenback for a concert on Aug. 6.
The Curtis Brothers—bassist Luques and pianist Zaccai—will join Harrison on Aug. 7. Pianist Orrin Evans will perform with bassist Daryl Johns, the youngest headliner ever to appear at Litchfield, on Aug. 6.
This year’s programming also celebrates 20 years of instruction from the festival’s educational program, the Litchfield Jazz Camp. In recognition of this milestone, the Student Stage roster will feature young musicians who have participated in the camp in previous years performing alongside their mentors.
Each summer, the Litchfield Jazz Festival hosts clinics and artist lectures by festival headliners as part of its annual Artist Talks series, and this year’s events will be hosted by DownBeat Publisher Frank Alkyer. Artist Talks are open to festival ticket holders and Litchfield Jazz Campers free of charge.
For more information, visit the Litchfield Jazz Festival website.
Jim Rotondi was acclaimed for his wide, round trumpet tone, remarkable virtuosity and assured swing.
Jul 9, 2024 11:35 AM
Jim Rotondi, a renowned hard-bop trumpeter, composer and educator, died suddenly on July 7 at a hospital in France. He…
Charles Lloyd, seen here at the 2024 New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival, makes DownBeat Poll history!
Jul 11, 2024 12:23 PM
The incomparable Charles Lloyd swept the 72nd Annual DownBeat Critics Poll, becoming the first artist ever to earn…
“Being president of Blue Note has been one of the coolest things that ever happened to me,” Was said. “It’s a gas to serve as one of the caretakers of that legacy.”
Jun 4, 2024 12:21 PM
Sitting with Don Was is a comfortable and unhurried exercise. He may seem slightly reserved at first, but ideas and…
The Century Room in downtown Tucson, Arizona, was born in 2021.
May 21, 2024 12:58 PM
Players got to play. It’s long been a part of jazz history: When there’s a venue vacuum, when there are fewer…
“She reminds me of my childhood and makes we want to cry,” Cécile McLorin Salvant, pictured here with writer Ashley Kahn, said of Dianne Reeves.
Jun 11, 2024 12:31 PM
Italy’s Umbria Jazz Winter is one of those rare annual festivals that not only coincides with a major holiday —…
