News

Among the standout performers at the UNC Greely Jazz Festival is trumpeter Skylar Tang (2021), an alum who is quickly making a name as one of the most exciting young voices on the instrument today. With a dynamic sound and a growing list of high-profile performances, Tang continues to gain momentum on the scene!

Her appearance at the Festival on April 23 highlights both her artistry and the strength of the next generation of jazz talent emerging from our alumni community!

Performances

Benny Benack (trumpet 2008) will take the stage at Boise State University in Boise, ID, on April 17. On April 18, Benack takes the stage at the Conrad Prebys Performing Arts Center in La Jolla, CA, for “The Magic of Manhattan.” On April 25, you will find Benack dazzling the crowd at LIBRETTO in Paso Robles, CA, followed by Stained Glass Wine House in Gretna, LA, on April 26.

Saxophonist Grace Kelly (2008) will head to the Dr. Phillips Center for the Performing Arts in Orlando, FL, with back-to-back performances on April 17 and April 18. On April 19, Kelly is off to NYC for a performance at Joe’s Pub. On April 23, Kelly will be at Jimmy’s Jazz and Blues Club in Portsmouth, NH. Kelly will then take the stage at the 20th Annual Pittsfield City Jazz Festival in Pittsfield, MA, on April 25, and at Von Der Mehden Recital Hall in Mansfield, CT, on April 26.

Gerald Clayton (piano 2002) is performing back-to-back sets at LIBRETTO in Paso Robles, CA, on April 16 and April 17. On April 18, Clayton will take the stage at the Lesher Center for the Arts in Walnut Creek, CA, followed by performances at Sam First in Los Angeles on April 21 and April 22. On April 23 and April 24, Clayton will be at SFJAZZ in San Francisco and then appear at the Paso Robles Jazz Festival at Sensorio in Paso Robles, CA, on April 26.

Lakecia Benjamin (saxophone 1999) is in Elyria, OH, on April 17 for a performance at the Hoke Theatre of Stocker Center.

Saxophonist Khris Royal (2004) will perform a set at Mahogany Jazz Hall, followed by a performance at Jackson Square, both on April 17. On April 23, Khris Royal Presents: Funk Noire at d.b.a all in New Orleans. 

Brandon Goldberg (piano 2023) will take the stage with the Brandon Goldberg Trio that features fellow alumnus David Wong (bass 1999) at the Side Door Jazz Club in Old Lyme, CT, on April 17. On April 22, Goldberg will perform a double feature at the Downtown NYC Jazz Fest.

Pianist Sullivan Fortner  (2002) and Cecile McLorin Salvant will take the stage at the Hodgson Concert Hall in Athens, GA, on April 17, at the Albright Knox Gallery in Buffalo, NY, on April 19, and The Music Hall in Portsmouth, NH, on April 20. The Sullivan Fortner Trio will head to CA for a performance at LIBRETTO in Paso Robles on April 23, at the UCLA Center for the Arts on April 24, and SFJAZZ in San Francisco on April 25. On April 26, the trio will take the stage at the Bach Dancing & Dynamite Society in Half Moon Bay and on April 27 at Kuumbwa Jazz in Santa Cruz.

Drummer Jacob Smith (2020) will perform at Casa Marina Hotel and Restaurant in Jacksonville Beach, FL, on April 18.

Braxton Cook (saxophone 2009) will take the stage at Myron’s at The Smith Center in Las Vegas on April 18.

Hailey Niswanger (saxophone 2007) will appear at MAE.SUN in Los Angeles, CA, on April 19.

Anthony Hervey (trumpet 2014) is performing with Ulysses Owens Jr & Generation at SFJAZZ in San Francisco on April 23 and April 24.

Isaiah J. Thompson (piano 2014) will take the stage at Judson’s Live in Orlando, FL, on April 23, and at the Curtis M. Phillips Center for Performing Arts in Gainesville, FL, on April 24.

Blaque Dynamite (drums 2011) will take the stage at Cassette in Queens, NY, on April 25.

Jumaane Smith (trumpet 1998) will perform back-to-back sets at the Django Jazz Festival in NYC on April 26.

Workshop alum, do you know about the communication channel we created exclusively for alumni? It’s free on Slack and is a great way to keep in touch with your alumni colleagues and stay current on what’s happening with them. To join, contact Alan Tanenbaum at info@vailjazz.org and he’ll send you the link!]