Tribute to Dave Brubeck at Litchfield Jazz Fest

KENT — The Litchfield Jazz Festival will be held this year from Friday, Aug. 6, through Sunday, Aug. 8, at the Kent School.

This is the festival’s 15th anniversary, and it will be a tribute to Dave Brubeck, who will turn 90 in December.

Brubeck, the legendary jazz pianist who is perhaps best known for the song “Take Five,†will play at the festival on its opening night.

Also performing during the festival weekend will be artists from around the world, including Bela Fleck, Jane Bunnett and the Spirits of Havana, the Aaron Weinstein Trio, the Dave Samuels Caribbean Jazz Project and many others.

On Saturday, Aug. 7, performers will pay tribute to the late saxophonist Cannonball Adderley.

This is the second year the festival will be held in Kent. Co-organizer Vita Muir estimated 4,000 people attended last year’s concerts despite the heavy summer rains.

In an interview last year, festival Marketing Director Lindsey Turner said the town has embraced the festival.

“Moving to Kent has been an extraordinary experience,†Turner said. “To me, jazz is one of the true American music art forms. It has grown and changed so much in the last 50 years. Jazz is different things for different people because of its many styles, including New Orleans, African, Brazilian and Latin jazz.â€

Tickets to the festival start at $29. Children under 12 with an adult sit free on the lawn. For more information and to purchase tickets call 860-361-6285 or visit litchfieldjazzfest.com.

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