West Hartford’s Hall High School Jazz Band, with special guest trombonist Chris Crenshaw, will kick off the three-day Greater Hartford Festival of Jazz in Bushnell Park which is expected to draw 70,000 music fans as one of the key ‘Summer in the City’ events.

By Ronni Newton

The Hall High School Jazz Band will take the stage at Bushnell Park on Thursday night, July 14, in the opening act of the 31st annual Greater Hartford Festival of Jazz, which will continue throughout the weekend as one of the keynote events of Hartford’s “Summer in the City.”

Current students from West Hartford’s Hall High School, as well as recent alumni from the award-winning Hall Jazz Band, will also play alongside special guest trombonist Christopher Crenshaw.

Hall High School Jazz Band. Courtesy photo (we-ha.com file photo)

“We couldn’t be prouder to kick-off off our 31st annual Greater Hartford Festival of Jazz with West Hartford’s very own Hall High School Jazz Band and special guest Jazz at Lincoln Center trombonist Christopher Crenshaw on Thursday, July 14 at 6:30 p.m. at Bushnell Park in downtown Hartford,” said Charles Christie, president, Greater Hartford Festival of Jazz. “As Hartford’s very own jazz spectacular, offering four nights and three days chock full of live free-of-charge jazz to 70,000 visitors who travel from coast to coast for our celebrated lineup of guests, we are thrilled to herald in another year by saluting our own talented budding jazz musicians and heat things up for 13 jazz icons who are part of our 2022 schedule.”

Thursday’s performance is scheduled from 6:30-8 p.m.

Chris Crenshaw. Courtesy photo (we-ha.com file photo)

The Festival reflects all jazz styles and rhythms, “from classic to funk and fusion, with over a dozen beloved performers and groups, from Chembo Corniel Quintet to Spyro Gyra, reflecting several facets of the jazz world,” Christie said.

The Friday through Sunday 2022 Greater Hartford Festival of Jazz schedule, according to the event website, includes:

Friday, July 15

• Chembo Corniel Quintet – 7 p.m.
• Boney James – 8:05 p.m.
• Vincent Ingala – 8:30 p.m.
• Art From Da Hart featuring Whitney Lucky-J – 10 p.m.

Saturday, July 16

• Will Prince and Friends – 2:30 p.m.
• Isaiah Sharkey – 4:30 p.m.
• Art From Da Hart featuring Betty Bruk Up – 6:05 p.m.
• Brian Simpson/Jakeim Joyner/Steve Oliver – 6:30 p.m.
• Spyro Gyra – 8:30 p.m.
• Average White Band – 10:30 p.m.

Sunday, July 17

• The Hot Cat Jazz Band\Mass at Christ Church Cathedral Downtown Hartford – 10 a.m.
• Funky Dawgz Brass Band – 1 p.m.
• Matt Marshak – 2:30 p.m.
• Firey String Sistas – 4:30 p.m.
• Art From Da Hart featuring Klassy Katz – 6:05 p.m.
• Marquis Hill: New Gospel Revisited (100%) – 6:30 p.m.
• The Manhattan Transfer – 8:30 p.m.

The Greater Hartford Festival of Jazz will also feature items from 50 artists and craftspeople selling hand-crafted jewelry, clothing, gifts, and beauty products. Health & Human Services vendors from the area will also be present at the festival. An array of 20 food vendors, including mobile food trucks, reflecting the diversity of the greater Hartford region will offer freshly prepared food and beverages throughout the Festival including plant-based cuisine along with comfort, BBQ, Caribbean, and more.

Summer in the City, a program of the Greater Hartford Arts Council, highlights and celebrates the community’s diversity through a series of free music and cultural events. Sponsored by Raytheon Technologies, following the Greater Hartford Festival of Jazz the following events remain on the 2022 schedule:

• Black-Eyed and Blues Festival, Bushnell Park, July 30, 3-9 p.m. and July 31, 3-7 p.m.
• Taste of Caribbean and Jerk Festival, Mortensen Riverfront Plaza, Aug. 6, 11 a.m.-9 p.m.
• West Indian Independence Celebration, Bushnell Park, Aug. 13, 11 a.m.-8 p.m.
• Riverfront Dragon Boat & Asian Festival, Mortensen Riverfront Plaza, Aug. 20, 8 a.m.-4 p.m.
• Puerto Rican Day Parade and Festival de Coqui, Bushnell Park, Aug. 21, 11 a.m.-8 p.m.
• Hartford Pride & Concert, Trumbull Street, Sept. 10, noon-6 p.m.

The Greater Hartford Latino Festival held on June 25 and Hartford Bonanza, on July 2-3, were also part of the Summer in the City line-up.

Like what you see here? Click here to subscribe to We-Ha’s newsletter so you’ll always be in the know about what’s happening in West Hartford! Click the blue button below to become a supporter of We-Ha.com and our efforts to continue producing quality journalism.