2009 Summer Solstice Sunset Party
A riverside jazz fest -- hot jazz, food & fun
***WE ARE SORRY THIS EVENT IS NOW SOLD OUT***
Kick off summer with a jazzy evening of food, dance and fun. This year the 1921 schooner L.A. Dunton is featured. Since she was launched during the Jazz Age, what better music by which to enjoy the sunset than jazz! And who better to make jazz come alive for us than the soulful tenor saxophonist Don Braden. An acclaimed jazz musician and historian, he's played extensively with greats like Wynton Marsalis, Freddie Hubbard and Roy Haynes. You'll most likely recognize his work from the "Bill Cosby Show."
A highly praised musician, composer and educator, Braden has recorded on nearly 50 CDs as a sideman and has produced 13 CDs as a leader. He has also composed countless concerts and for a number of independent films and television. Don has worked as an adjunct professor at William Paterson University and was one of the recipients of the Doris Duke Foundation New Works composer's grant in 2000. He has been the Music Director for Litchfield Jazz Camp since 1998 and serves as the President of the Board of Directors for Litchfield Performing Arts, the non-profit that produces Litchfield Jazz Camp and the Litchfield Jazz Festival (July 31 - August 2 in Kent, CT).
Joining Don Braden will be:
Vincent Gardner - Trombone - an alumnus of The Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra he has toured with The Duke Ellington Orchestra, Bobby McFerrin, The Count Basie Orchestra, and others.
Joris Teepe - Bass - originally from the Netherlands, Joris has worked with a "who is who in Jazz" from Benny Golsen to Randy Becker to Rashied Ali.
Xavier Davis - Keyboard - Pianist " Xavier Davis, simply knows how to make every note on his instrument sing, and he invariably finds the richest area of the keyboard for voicing," said writer Bob Blumenthal. He's worked with many of today's great jazz musicians - including Betty Carter.
Cecil Brooks III - Drums - a second generation drummer and band leader, Cecil Brooks III, has produced over 40 recordings on the Muse, High Note and Savant labels for artists ranging from John Hicks to Arthur Blythe to Don Braden.
Sunset is a magical time to be at Mystic Seaport, when rich colors play off the water and ships. Once the sun is down, the river serenade really begins. Chubb's Wharf will echo to the sounds of Don and his quintet performing from the deck of the L. A. Dunton. And we are sure to have a few surprises, just like last year.
We are grateful to the following sponsors:
Yachting Magazine / Shaboo Productions / 94.3 WYBC-FM Radio / The Racine Company / CL&P
Event Tickets: SOLD OUT
Dinner Tickets: SOLD OUT
VIP Seating on Chubb's Wharf: SOLD OUT
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