Jazz is often associated with cities like New Orleans and Memphis, but several towns and cities in Connecticut also have their own relationships with the soulful music. Cromwell, Litchfield and Hartford are all home to jazz festivals that offer musical performances by world jazz artists, as well as food, shopping, clinics and speakers.
Held in Cromwell, Connecticut, the Great Connecticut Traditional Jazz Festival takes place during the summer and features jazz bands from both the United States and England. Bands that specialize in playing variations of jazz such as Ragtime and Swing also take center stage at the festival. While listening to music, visitors can enjoy food with a New Orleans flair, such as crawfish and jambalaya. The festival also has introduced new and up-and-coming jazz artists. In 2010, the festival introduced Stephanie Trick, a 22-year-old who performed Ragtime and Boogie on the piano.
The Litchfield Jazz Festival is based out of the Litchfield Hills, located in western Connecticut. The location of the festival in 2010 was at the Kent School in Kent, Connecticut, about 20 miles west of Litchfield. In addition to featuring individual jazz artists, bands and orchestras, the three-day festival also provides visitors with an opportunity to learn about jazz through clinics and talks. Hungry festival attendees have a variety of food to choose from, including Thai, Mexican and American. Between acts, shoppers also can peruse arts and crafts vendors.
The Greater Hartford Festival began in 1992 as a way to bring the sounds of jazz to Hartford residents during the summer. It has grown to include performers such as the Duke Ellington Orchestra and The Dizzy Gillespie All Stars. According to the festival's website, it is the largest jazz festival with free admission held in New England each year. In 2010, it saw 45,000 visitors attend. In addition to musical performances, visitors can also enjoy food of different types, as well as arts and crafts vendors.
