CONCERT DESCRIPTIONS

• Concert #1: Jazz As Democracy

  Date: Thursday, April 24 | 7:00 p.m.
  Location: The Avram

  Celebrate the pioneers who intertwined jazz with the principles of democracy. From improvisation to swing, jazz reflects our individual rights and collective responsibilities. This concert will highlight artists such as Billie Holiday, Duke Ellington, John Coltrane, Mary Lou Williams, Billy Strayhorn, and others.
  Ensemble: The Jazz Loft All Stars featuring vocalist/composer/pianist Mala Waldron.

  Tom Manuel, cornet
  Darrell Smith, drums
  Mala Waldron, piano
  Dean Johnson, bass
  John Marshall, tenor saxophone
  Joe Devassy, trombone

  Performer Bios

• Concert #2: The Art of New

  Date: Thursday, May 29 | 7:00 p.m.
  Location: The Avram

  The Art of New, an enlightening evening of music that celebrates the spirit of jazz through fresh, original compositions by some of the most exciting voices in the genre today. This concert showcases selections from drummer-composer Dan Pugach's GRAMMY® Award-winning album Bianca Reimagined: Music for Paws and Persistence, a stirring musical exploration that intertwines personal narratives with the universal themes of freedom and resilience.
  Ensemble: Dan Pugach Big Band featuring guest vocalist Allison Rumley:

  Reed 1 - Alejandro Aviles
  Reed 2 - Yonatan Guedj
  Reed 3 - John Lowery
  Reed 4 - Eitan Gofman
  Reed 5 - Andrew Hadro

  Trumpet 1 - Jonathan Saraga
  Trumpet 2 - David Smith
  Trumpet 3 - Dave Adewumi 
  Trumpet 4 - Pasha Karchevsky

  Trombone 1 - Mike Fahie
  Trombone 2 - Nick Vayenas
  Trombone 3 - Sam Blakeslee
  Bass Trombone - Jen Hinkle

  Vocals - Allison Rumley
  Guitar - Pete McCann
  Piano - Nitzan Gavrieli
  Bass - Sam Weber
  Drums - Dan Pugach

  Performer Bios

• Concert #3: Long Island Jazz Legends & Local Juke Joints

  Date: Thursday, June 19 | 7:00 p.m. (Juneteenth)
  Location: The Avram

  Celebrate jazz musicians with deep roots on Long Island’s East End. This concert will highlight legends such as Teddy Charles, Teo Macero, Hal McKusick, and more.
  Ensemble: Project 464 featuring jazz greats with a combined age of 464 years.

  • Houston Person – Iconic tenor saxophonist, age 90, with over 75 albums and a deep connection to soul jazz, known for his collaborations with Etta Jones and his prolific solo career.
  • Bill Crow – Renowned bassist and jazz author, age 97, who played with Gerry Mulligan, Benny Goodman, and wrote Jazz Anecdotes and From Birdland to Broadway.
  • Steve Little – Duke Ellington’s drummer on ...And His Mother Called Him Bill and the original Sesame Street theme, with a wide-ranging career across genres.
  • Warren Vaché – Distinguished cornetist praised for his tone and versatility, with performance and recording credits that span Benny Goodman to Rosemary Clooney.
  • Tardo Hammer – Acclaimed jazz pianist who has performed with Lou Donaldson, Abbey Lincoln, and the Art Farmer–Clifford Jordan Quintet.
  • Thomas Manuel – Artistic Director of The Jazz Loft and a leading voice in preserving Long Island’s jazz legacy, both as a performer and educator.
• Concert #4: The Spirit & Soul of Latin Jazz

  Date: Thursday, July 24 | 7:00 p.m.
  Location: The Avram

  Presenting a concert focusing on the rhythms and cultures of Spain, Cuba, the Caribbean, Mexico, Brazil and beyond.

  This concert will emphasize the art of collaboration and explore how Latin rhythms have shaped our American popular music through the decades. 

  Ensemble: Carlos Jiménez Mambo Dulcet

  Performer Bios

• Concert #5: Abstract Angularity

  Date: Thursday, August 28 | 7:00 p.m.
  Location: The Avram

  In partnership with The Pollock-Krasner House & Duck Creek Arts Center, this concert will celebrate the connection between art and music, featuring a gallery presentation of local artists and a performance that pushes the boundaries of jazz.
  Ensemble: The Jazz Loft Jazz Orchestra (17-piece ensemble)