Litchfield Jazz Festival 2008 Line-Up

The 13th Annual Litchfield Jazz Festival is set and tickets are now on sale at litchfieldjazzfest.com. The event will be held on August 1, 2, 3, at the Goshen Fairgrounds in Northwest Connecticut. Diana Krall, who made her US festival debut on the first Litchfield Jazz Festival, recently called it “one of the best festivals." Litchfield has a reputation for introducing the next “big thing" while also presenting jazz giants. JazzTimes named it “among the best of the best," and the New York Times hailed it “a model jazz lineup." This year's headliners are Tony & Emmy Award winner, Bebe Neuwirth, multi-Grammy winner, Paquito D'Rivera, Grammy Lifetime Achievement recipient, Dave Brubeck and John Pizzarelli, the best exponent of Sinatra's music since Sinatra.

With past performers like Ray Charles, Dionne Warwick and Dr. John, it's no wonder the Litchfield Jazz Festival has been nominated for two Festie Awards and named a “Top100 Event" in the US and Canada. The weekend kicks off on Friday, August 1, with the “Friends of the Festival Gala" at Winvian Luxury Resort in Morris, CT. The party will offer hors d'oeuvres with fresh seasonal ingredients by Winvian's Executive Chef, Chris Eddy, micro-brews and premium wines, with music by outstanding students of Litchfield Jazz Camp. The party is followed by the Opening Night performances at the Goshen Fairgrounds. Winner of nine Grammy Awards and the National Medal of Arts, Paquito D'Rivera appears with the Zaccai Curtis Trio. Next on the double-bill is two-time Tony & Emmy Award winning actress, singer and dancer, Ms. Bebe Neuwirth, best known as Lilith on Cheers and Frasier.

On Saturday, August 2 the music begins at noon with the Winard Harper Sextet. Winard is a founding member of the acclaimed Harper Brothers Band and has been teaching at the Litchfield Jazz Camp since 2003. Up next is 23-year-old vocalist and Litchfield native, Nicole Zuraitis. Nicole, a graduate of NYU's vocal program, was a student at the first Litchfield Jazz Camp in 1997. She will be appearing just on the heels of her debut recording with a stellar band, all of whom were also students at camp - Zaccai Curtis on piano, Luques Curtis on bass and Richie Barshay on drums. Following Nicole, for his third appearance on the Litchfield Jazz Festival, is pianist, Kenny Werner with his Trio. Werner has recorded 24 albums as a leader, and is author of the best seller, “Effortless Mastery." Next up is the Wayne Shorter Tribute Big Band led by trumpeter, David Weiss. This high-energy band, including Jeremy Pelt, Xavier Davis, EJ Strickland, Dwayne Burno and other, is not to be missed. Next, the festival welcomes back, for his third appearance, the legendary 87-year-old pianist, Dave Brubeck with his Quartet. Mr. Brubeck has received countless awards and honors including induction into the International Jazz Hall of Fame, a Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award, National Medal of Arts, NEA Jazz Masters Award, and many others. Closing the evening is Conrad Herwig's Latin Side of Miles & 'Trane. Grammy nominated trombonist, Herwig, has performed with Joe Henderson, Joe Lovano, Eddie Palmieri and others. This seven piece ensemble will have everyone on their feet.

Opening on Sunday, August 3, is the fun and spunky Claire Daly's Rah! Rah! Band. Five-time winner of the Downbeat Critic's Poll, “Talent Deserving Wider Recognition," baritone saxophonist, Claire Daly, has played with Aretha Franklin, James Brown, Joe Williams, Rosemary Clooney and many others. She has also been teaching at Litchfield Jazz Camp since 2000. Up next is another Litchfield Jazz Camp regular, Peter Madsen with his Trio. Madsen, called “a well-kept secret favorite among piano enthusiasts," by JazzTimes Magazine, has played with Stan Getz, Benny Golson, Stanley Turrentine, Kenny Garrett and Maceo Parker. Following Madsen is the Jimmy Greene Quartet. Saxophonist and composer, Greene, was named one of “25 Young Rising Stars in Jazz," in DownBeat Magazine and was runner up in the prestigious Thelonious Monk Competition in 1996. Next up is the Cyrus Chestnut Trio. A sought after pianist, Chestnut has played with Wynton Marsalis, Benny Golson, Chick Corea, Kathleen Battle, Bette Midler, Dizzy Gillespie and so many more. And bringing the 13th Annual Litchfield Jazz Festival to a close is a Litchfield favorite - John Pizzarelli. For John's third appearance here he brings with his quartet, a full orchestra and a wonderful show: Dear Mr Sinatra: The Frank Sinatra Songbook.

Premium tickets are $350 for Best Friends VIP weekend passes and $150 for the opening gala and performance. These include upfront seating and VIP parking. Multi-day JazzPasses are available from $65 - $150 only until June 13. Advance-purchase general admission tickets are $35 for lawn and $55 for tent.

The Litchfield Jazz Festival is sponsored in part by the Connecticut Commission on Culture and Tourism, Steinway & Sons, The Republican-American, Down Beat, NEA Jazz Masters on Tour, Heritage Hotel, Winvian, Northeast Beverage Corporation of Connecticut, Magic Hat, Crystal Rock Water, Jazz Corner, Litchfield Magazine, Home Living Connecticut, Connecticut Business Magazine, LPA Members and others. Litchfield Jazz Camp students, who study for up to a month prior to The Festival and perform on the student stage, participate through the generous support from the CT State Department of Education Interdistrict Grants and additional assistance from Shure, Keilwerth and Friendship Fun. For tickets visit our website or call 860-567-4162.