Friday & Saturday, November 4-5, 2023
DAY 1: Friday
5:00 – 8:00 pm: Youth musicians perform as part of Gallery Walk (no reservations required).
The VJC, in collaboration with 118 Elliot & Gallery, presents student groups as part of Brattleboro’s Gallery Walk hosted by Downtown Brattleboro Alliance.
From 5:00 – 8:00 pm audiences will groove on half- hour sets of young musicians stretching out playing jazz tunes. Past performers include the VJC’s Youth Jazz Ensemble, BUHS Jazz Workshop, Northfield Mount Herman Jazz Band, Keene State College Jazz Band, Rei Kimura, Archer Parks & others.
Line up:
- 5:30 – 6:00  Emily Matthew-Muller and Adam Acker Duo
- 6:15 – 6:45  Meena Elyea Quartet (Mt. Holyoke College, NMH School)
- 6:45 – 7:15  Kevin Sonntag Trio (Keene State College)
- 7:30 – 8:00  Archer Parks and Friends (TBA)
DAY 2: Saturday
11:00 to 4:00 pm: Student group performances
The VJC, in association with area high schools & universities, presents student groups performing half-hour sets on our archive stage.
Past ensembles have included groups from Amherst College, University of Massachusetts, University of Vermont, Northfield Mt. Hermon, BUHS Big Band, Montpelier High school, & others.
Line up:
- 11:00 -11:30Â Â Â Amherst College Arches Ensemble
- 11:45 – 12:15  Amherst College – Mesa Verde
- 12:30 – 1:00  Vermont Jazz Center Youth Jazz Ensemble
- 1:15 – 1:45  NMH Honors Jazz Combo
- 1:45 – 2:15  NMH Jazz Ensemble
- 2:30 – 3:00  UMass Brazilian Jazz Ensemble
- 3:15 – 3:45  BUHS Jazz Ensemble
- 4:00 pm:Â Â Lakecia Benjamin clinic for student musicians and the general public
7:30 – 10:00 pm: Lakecia Benjamin & Phoenix in concert
2020 DownBeat Critics Poll Rising Star & saxophonist Lakecia Benjamin has graced stages around the world & has appeared on the covers of numerous jazz journals. She has toured and/or recorded with jazz artists Clark Terry, Reggie Workman, Gregory Porter & Christian McBride & performed with legendary pop artists including Prince, Stevie Wonder, Alicia Keys, Missy Elliot, & the Roots. Ms. Benjamin served as Artistic Director of Burlington’s Discover Jazz Festival & will be 2023 artist in residence at the Monterey Jazz Festival. Benjamin’s music combines funky grooves with Coltrane-influenced, post-bop language.
Lakecia Benjamin – alto sax/ Miki Hayama – piano & keyboard/ Ivan Taylor – bass (acoustic and electric)/ E.J. Strickland – drums
Sponsored by Marcy Hermansader in honor of Jonathan Flaccus, one of VJC’s most significant patrons, to whom this festival is dedicated in his memory.
Tickets $25-$60 sliding scale. Educational group discounts available.
Live stream free, donations welcome.
www.vtjazz.org
802 254 9088
alina@vtjazz.org
For handicap access please email or call.
Vermont Jazz Center
72 Cotton Mill Hill #222
Brattleboro, VT 05301
