Jazz festival riffs on education and entertainment sides

KENT — It was a great musical time for all at the 15th annual Litchfield Jazz Festival, held for the second year in a row on the grounds of Kent School (from Friday, Aug. 6, until Sunday, Aug. 8).

Artists including Dave Brubeck, Dave Samuels and the Caribbean Jazz Project, the Avery Sharpe Trio, Béla Fleck and others performed this year. Although there were occasional drizzles of rain, overall the weather was excellent. Many attendees chose to sit out on the lawn and watch performances on a widescreen television, rather than sit inside.

This was the first festival for Warren Rubin of Sherman, who said that he “grew up with jazz. I think it’s one of America’s great contributions to the world.�

In addition to nationally known artists, there were also performances by students and teachers from the Litchfield Jazz Camp, also held at Kent School.

Among the 525 students  at this summer’s camp was Joshua Coleman, 18, of Hartford, a second-year student who is studying drumming.

“The camp taught me a lot,� Joshua said. “I’m not sure if I’m going to go any further with it, but I enjoyed it.�

His mother, Cheryl Coleman, said she hopes Joshua continues.

“He’s been drumming since he was one-and-a-half years old, and he loves it,� Coleman said.

JJ McNulty, 12, of Salisbury and his friend Rory Donnelly, 13, of Waterford, Vt., are both drummers and said they loved their experience at camp.

Trombone player Kelvin Grant was a teacher this year and said he was impressed by the students and their skill levels.

“They’re all kids, but they’re pretty cool!� Grant said. “There is a lot of talent in these students.�

 Students and their teachers played at the festival in a separate tent.  

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