The Litchfield Jazz Festival is proud to announce a series of 19 free concerts throughout the month of July Jazz Around Kent Presented by the Litchfield Jazz Festival. Part 1 of the series, Litchfield Jazz Camp Faculty Concerts will be held at Kent Schools Mattison Auditorium, One Macedonia Road (Route 341) in Kent, CT from July 6 through July 29. Part 2 of the series, Jazz Around Kent features talented Litchfield Jazz Camp students in Kent restaurants. Wednesday July 8, 15, 22, 29 at the Fife n Drum and Thursday July 9, 16 and 23 at Docs Trattoria there will be live jazz by Jazz Camp students from 6:30 9:00 PM with no cover charge. The Fife n Drum is located at 53 Main Street (Route 7) in Kent and Docs Trattoria is at 9 Maple Street (Route 341) in Kent.

This is a unique opportunity to hear some of the best jazz players in the industry as well as up-and-coming talent in an intimate setting free of charge. Teaching Artists concerts will be held on Tuesdays, July 7, 21, 28, Wednesdays, July 15 and 29 and Thursdays, July 9, 16, 20. In addition Teaching Assistants will give concerts on Mondays: July 6, 13, 20 and 27. All concerts will be held at 7:15 pm. A free will donation will support Litchfield Jazz Camp need-based scholarship students.

Performers will include Litchfield Jazz Camp teaching artists trumpeters Claudio Roditi and Louise Baranger, bassists Mario Pavone, Avery Sharpe and Nilson Matta, pianists Junior Mance, Onaje Allen Gumbs and Rachel Z, guitarists Paul Bollenback, Dave Stryker and Roni Ben-Hur, drummers Alvin Atkinson, Winard Harper and Charli Persip, saxophonists Kris Allen, Claire Daly, Mike DiRubbo, Wayne Escoffery, vocalists Carla Cook, Dena DeRose and many more.

The Jazz Around Kent series leads seamlessly into the Litchfield Jazz Festival on July 31, August 1 and 2 at its new home, the beautiful campus of Kent School in Kent, CT. The Festival line-up includes Jane Monheit, Preservation Hall Jazz Band, Poncho Sanchez, Wycliffe Gordon, Houston Person, Bucky Pizzarelli, Benny Green and many more. The weekend also includes crafters, artists, local and fresh cuisine and performances by Litchfield Jazz Camp students. Tickets start at $35 and children under 12 are free on the lawn. For tickets and more information call (860) 567-4162 or visit www.litchfieldjazzfest.com.

Jazz Around Kent presented by the Litchfield Jazz Festival 19 Free concerts in the month of July

Litchfield Jazz Camp Faculty Concerts
Mattison Auditorium, Kent School
Tuesday July 7, 7:15 PM
Thursday July 9, 7:15 PM
Tuesday July 14, 7:15 PM
Wednesday July 15, 7:15 PM
Tuesday July 21, 7:15 PM
Thursday July 23, 7:15 PM
Tuesday July 28 , 7:15 PM
Wednesday July 29, 7:15 PM

Litchfield Jazz Camp Teaching Assistant Concerts
Mattison Auditorium, Kent School
Monday July 6, 7:15 PM
Monday July 13, 7:15 PM
Monday July 20, 7:15 PM
Monday July 27, 7:15 PM

Litchfield Jazz Campers at the Fife n Drum
Wednesday July 8, 6:30 9:00 PM
Wednesday July 15, 6:30 9:00 PM
Wednesday July 22, 6:30 9:00 PM
Wednesday July 29, 6:30 9:00 PM

Litchfield Jazz Campers at Docs Trattoria
Thursday July 9, 6:30 9:00 PM
Thursday July 16, 6:30 9:00 PM
Thursday July 23, 6:30 9:00 PM

For details visit the calendar section of our website.