Jazz Without Borders: Northampton Jazz Festival Will Bring Musicians from Around the World on Sept. 27-28

The Northampton Jazz Festival will bring over 50 musicians from countries around the world to downtown Northampton on Friday, Sept. 27 and Saturday, Sept. 28.

The weekend’s events begin with two student jazz combos from the University of Connecticut (UConn) and the University of Massachusetts (UMass) performing at Pulaski Park the afternoon of Friday, Sept. 27, followed by an evening of live jazz at breweries, bars and restaurants throughout downtown Northampton. Free performances will continue at five locations on Saturday, Sept. 28.

The headliner for this year’s festival is Anat Cohen Quartetinho, performing at The Academy of Music on Saturday, Sept. 28 at 7:30 p.m. Anat Cohen is a Grammy-nominated, multi-year, award-winning clarinetist who has created an intimate and joyful sound with her ensemble, “Quartetinho.” The ensemble of virtuosos includes bassist Tal Mashiach, pianist/accordionist Vitor Gonçalves and vibraphonist/percussionist James Shipp.

Her concert is the only ticketed event of the festival; tickets are $35 to $55 plus ticketing fees available at AoMTheatre.com or at the Academy of Music Box Office Tuesday through Friday from 3 to 6 p.m. Student tickets are $20 plus fees.

Ruth Griggs, president of the board of the Northampton Jazz Festival, explains, “Anat Cohen inspired us to bring artists from countries around the world to the festival this year. The magic of Quartetinho’s music springs from Anat and Tal’s Israeli roots blended with Vitor’s Brazilian influence. Combined with their virtuosity and creativity as musicians, this results in absolutely delightful music.”

Griggs said the jazz festival board wanted to build on this and represent as many nations as possible at this year’s event, so musicians will come from India, Argentina, Cuba, Palestine and Cameroon to downtown stages. “So, we’ve themed this year’s festival ‘Jazz Without Borders.’ We think it will be a meaningful and joyful experience to hear the voices of true world musicians.”

The full lineup of free daytime festival performances on Jazz Fest Day, Saturday, Sept. 28 is as follows: Esteban Castro performs two solo piano concerts at CLICK Workspace at 11 a.m. and 12 p.m.; at noon, the Expandable Brass Band will march from CLICK Workspace to Iron Horse and then to Pulaski Park; Ask Me About Jazz!, a new, interactive concert for elementary school children led by drummer Richie Barshay, with clarinetist Evan Arntzen and pianist Zacchai Curtis, will take place from 11 a.m. to 12 noon at Iron Horse (pre-registration required); Julieta Eugenio Trio featuring Matt Dwonszyk on bass and Jonathan Barber on drums will perform two sets at 12:30 and 1:45 p.m. at The Parlor Room; Valley Free Radio host Jack Frisch will broadcast a special edition of his “The Downbeat” radio show from 12:30 to 2 p.m. in Pulaski Park; Ize Trio featuring Naseem Alatrash, Chase Morin and George Lernis will perform at Unitarian Society of Northampton at 1 p.m.; Jeff Holmes Big Band featuring Dawning Holmes will play at 2:15 p.m. at Pulaski Park; Arun Ramamurthy Trio featuring Damon Banks and Sameer Gupta will play at Iron Horse at 1:45 p.m.; Ekep Nkwelle Quartet will perform at Unitarian Society of Northampton at 4 p.m. and Jesus Pagan Y Su Orquestra will close out the day’s free concerts at 5:15 p.m. at Pulaski Park.

Friday, Sept. 27, the Jazz Strut launches this year’s festival and will run from 4:30 p.m. to midnight, starting at Pulaski Park with two student jazz combo performances from UConn and UMass. Local and regional musicians will then perform for two hours as follows: Fred Clayton Blues Band at Northampton Brewery from 6 to 8 p.m.; Haley Isadora at Spoleto from 6:45 to 8:45 p.m.; Steve Bulmer Trio at Wiggins Tavern from 7:30 to 9:30 p.m.; Evan Arntzen Trio at GOMBO from 9 to 11 p.m.; and the Late Night Jam Session at Toasted Owl from 10 p.m. to midnight, led by bassist Fumi Tomita.

Leading up to Jazz Fest Weekend, the Northampton Jazz Festival will once again partner with the Downtown Northampton Association in creating “Jazzy Arts Night Out” on Friday, Sept. 13. Five local musicians will play at downtown locations from 5 to 8 p.m. as follows: pianist Rob Fontana at CLICK Workspace (6 to 8 p.m.); guitarist Robby Roiter at Assemble; pianist Sonny Raymond and guitarist Charlie Mitkowski at Ten Thousand Villages; vibraphonist Bruce Kelly at Michaelson’s Gallery; and singer Elena Ciampa at PINCH.

The performance schedule for all events is subject to change.

Now in its 13th year, the Northampton Jazz Festival has become a welcome, anticipated music event that brings over 2,000 visitors to the city of Northampton, creating a positive, inclusive experience for all.

“We are so appreciative of our local sponsors and donors for helping to make this festival happen each and every year. In this day of ever-increasing costs, we are committed to bringing the magic of live music to folks in downtown Northampton free of charge, hoping to lift spirits and bring some joy,” said Griggs.

The Northampton Jazz Festival is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit corporation and is funded by local businesses, organizations, foundations and individuals which makes it possible to provide free live music to the general public.

Volunteers are needed to staff the Friday and Saturday events. To take part, visit northamptonjazzfest.org/volunteer.