First-place winner Conor McMillen, 16, in performance March 2 at the Litchfield Community Center.

“He’s constructing intelligent musical sentences that connect seamlessly, which is the most important part of linear playing,” Charles McPherson said of alto saxophonist Sonny Red.

Gerald Cannon pays tribute to two former bosses: McCoy Tyner and Elvin Jones.

“I think a lot of people think this still sounds like me, but they’ll also know it’s something different,” says Yuhan Su about her latest recording. “I am proud of that.”

“We’re trying … to be true to his intention, but give it space to breathe in today’s world,” Lara Downes says about her and Edmar Colon’s reimagining of Gershwin’s classic piece.

Larry Goldings’ versatility keeps him in high demand as a leader, collaborator and sideman.

“I’m a father, mentor, teacher, bandleader and activist,” says Keyon Harrold. “All of these things are happening at once. We all need some kind of barometer to help us stay grounded.”

“I love the idea of articulating our dreams and wishes and in a way ‘shouting’ them in our mind — the same way the great Dizzy Gillespie talks about hearing the melodies loudly,” says guitarist Rotem Sivan.

“I do march to the beat of my own drum,” says Ross Pederson, and that drum has led him to release Identity on his own label.

A deluge of posthumous Chick Corea releases focuses both on his Elektric Band forays as well as his classical leanings.