‘The Jazz Loft @ Southampton Concert Series’ Begins This Week at the Avram

Stony Brook Southampton, in collaboration with The Jazz Loft, will present “The Jazz Loft @ Southampton Concert Series,” a spring and summer lineup of five concerts featuring world-class jazz musicians.

The series will include acclaimed artists including recent Grammy recipients Dan Pugach and Nicole Zuraitis. Curated by Professor Thomas Manuel, Jazz Loft founder and Stony Brook University Jazz Department Endowed Artist-in-Residence Fellow, the series aims to bring the rich traditions and innovative spirit of jazz to the Southampton community.

The theme of each performance looks at jazz both historically and contemporarily, incorporating extraordinary entertainment and education. The Jazz Loft’s mission is one of jazz preservation, education and performance — and this partnership with Stony Brook Southampton will provide East End residents with the opportunity to experience and learn about great jazz first-hand.

The series kicks off in the Avram on Thursday, April 24, at 7 p.m. with “Jazz and Democracy,” a concert celebrating artists who pioneered the principles and characteristics of democracy, including artists/composers such as Billie Holiday, Duke Ellington, John Coltrane, Mary Lou Williams, Billy Strayhorn and others. Performers include The Jazz Loft All Stars featuring vocalist/composer/pianist Mala Waldron.

Four of the five concerts will be hosted at the Avram Theater on the Stony Brook Southampton campus. The fourth concert will be held in a large tent with a dance floor on the athletics field. This is the first jazz series to be presented at the Avram since Stony Brook University began management of the campus.

“The Jazz Loft @ Southampton is part of a vibrant spring and summer season that brings together our community, faculty, staff, and students around powerful themes — from jazz as a symbol of democracy to the legacy of Long Island’s juke joints and the soul of Latin jazz,” said Wendy Pearson, Vice President for Strategic Initiatives and Executive Director of Stony Brook Southampton. “We’re excited to once again showcase the Avram as a cultural venue and to partner with The Jazz Loft, whose mission aligns closely with ours in extending access to the arts, education, and engagement. Together, we’re bringing world-class performances to the East End and continuing the renewal of Stony Brook Southampton as a center for creativity, connection, and community.”

“I am thrilled for our new collaboration with Stony Brook Southampton and the opportunity to bring The Jazz Loft’s programming to the East End,” said Professor Manuel. “This is a collaboration that our artists and musical community at large are very excited about.”

Tickets for each concert are $36 for general admission ($33 for seniors/faculty and staff) and $18 for Stony Brook students. The series pass for all five concerts is $144.

The Concerts:

“Jazz as Democracy” — Thursday, April 24, at 7 p.m. in the Avram

This performance will celebrate artists who pioneered the principles and characteristics of democracy. Jazz music is considered the perfect metaphor for democracy. This evening’s session will highlight artists/composers such as Billie Holiday, Duke Ellington, John Coltrane, Mary Lou Williams, Billy Strayhorn and others. Performers include The Jazz Loft All Stars featuring vocalist/composer/pianist Mala Waldron.

“The Art of New” — Thursday, May 29, 7 p.m. in the Avram

This concert will showcase all original music by the freshest voices in Jazz on the scene today including Grammy winning artists Dan Pugach, composer/drummer/arranger, and vocalist/composer Nicole Zuraitis and an all-star ensemble presenting original compositions.

“Long Island Jazz Legends & Local Juke Joints” — Thursday, June 19 (Juneteenth), 7 p.m. in the Avram

This concert celebrates the architects of jazz who called Long Island home, especially the East End. The performance will include, but is not limited to: Teddy Charles, Teo Macero, Hal McKusick and The Heath Brothers. This concert will be in collaboration with the Southampton African American Museum and will feature a preconcert lecture and exhibition on the juke joint culture prevalent on the South Fork. Focus will be on Herb McCarthy’s and a highlight will be an art exhibit featuring paintings by Greenport native Vincent Quattroche who founded the first art gallery in Greenport.

The gallery exhibition will include paintings which were on display in the juke joint “coal bin” as well as memorabilia. Performing will be Project 450, the ensemble of jazz legends whose collective age equals 450 years: Ellington alum, drummer Steve Little, Gerry Mulligan alum, bassist Bill Crow, Benny Goodman alum, cornetist Warren Vache, Etta Jones alum, tenor saxophonist Houston Person, pianist Larry Fuller and cornetist Professor Manuel.

“The Spirit & Soul of Latin Jazz” (Thursday, July 24, 7 p.m. Under the Tent on the Athletics Fields)

This concert will focus on the rhythms and cultures of Spain, Cuba, the Caribbean, Mexico, Brazil and beyond and will emphasize the art of collaboration and explore how Latin rhythms have shaped American popular music through the decades. The concert will coincide with an Avram Gallery exhibit displaying the archives of pioneering Latin Jazz legend Xavier Cugat. Performers will include Carlos Jimenez and Mambo Dulcet.

“Abstract Angularity” (Thursday, August 28, 7 p.m. TBD)

Exploring the relationship between artists and musicians, this concert will join the Pollock-Krasner House and Study Center and Duck Creek Arts Center in a collaborative presentation to celebrate the vibrant east-end artistic scene heritage. The Jazz Loft Jazz Orchestra (17-piece ensemble) will present a program celebrating creative voices in Jazz who pushed and challenged boundaries in American popular music.

A gallery presentation curated by the Pollock-Krasner House and Study Center will also serve as a backdrop for a preconcert reception and lecture. This concert will also bring into the fold painter/artist Kevin McEvoy who will be commissioned to create a new work in honor of the concert series first season.