News

The American Piano Awards named its five finalists for the Cole Porter Fellowship earlier this year, highlighting a standout group of rising jazz pianists from across the country. Among them are two Vail Jazz Workshop alumni, Brahm Sasner ( 2021) and Brandon Goldberg (2023).

The competition is one of the top honors for emerging jazz pianists, offering finalists national recognition, performance opportunities, and career-advancing support. As the competition enters its final stages, anticipation is building ahead of the winner announcement. We’re proud to see Vail Jazz alumni continuing to make their mark on the national stage!

Performances

Benny Benack (trumpet 2008) will take the stage at the Parker Jazz Club in Austin, TX, on April 30, followed by a performance at the Windmills Craftworks in The Colony, TX, on May 2. On May 3, he will appear at Bethel Woods Center for the Arts in Bethel, NY, followed by The Speakeasy at The Gin Mill in New York, NY, on May 4. On May 6 and 7, Benack will take the stage at Carpenter Performing Arts Center in Long Beach, CA, before heading to Kuumbwa Jazz Center in Santa Cruz, CA, on May 8, and SFJAZZ Center in San Francisco, CA, on May 9 and 10.

Keyon Harrold (trumpet 1997) will perform at International Jazz Day in Kansas City, MO, on April 30, before appearing at the Santa Monica International Jazz Festival in Santa Monica, CA, on May 9.

Pianist Sullivan Fortner (2002) will perform at the Kalamazoo Institute of Arts on April 30, followed by Chenery Auditorium in Kalamazoo, MI, on May 10. On May 12, Fortner will appear at The Jazz Kitchen in Indianapolis, IN, for the American Piano Awards.

Terrace Martin (saxophone 1997) will take the stage at Yoshi’s in Oakland, CA, on May 1.

Tia Fuller (saxophone 1996) will perform at Blue Note Jazz Club in New York, NY, on May 1.

Pianist Isaiah J. Thompson (2014) will perform at Jazz Forum in Tarrytown, NY, on May 1 and 2, before heading to Café Carlyle in New York, NY, for a run from May 5 through 9.

Jumaane Smith (trumpet 1998) will perform at South Kitchen & Jazz Parlor in Philadelphia, PA, on May 1 through 3, followed by Jimmy’s Jazz & Blues Club in Portsmouth, NH, on May 6. On May 8, Smith will take the stage at Tanglewood in Lenox, MA, and then at City Winery in Boston, MA, on May 9.

Saxophonist Braxton Cook (2009) will take the stage at Blue Note Jazz Club in New York, NY, on May 3.

Robert Glasper (piano 1997) will take the stage at the New Orleans Jazz & Blues Market in New Orleans, LA, on May 3.

Chris Fishman (piano 2014) will perform at Lobero Theatre in Santa Barbara, CA, on May 5.

Pianist Esteban Castro (2018) will perform in the Irving S. Gilmore International Piano Festival at the Kool Family Community Center in Battle Creek, MI, on May 6.

Saxophonist Lakecia Benjamin (1999) will perform at the Santa Monica International Jazz Festival in Santa Monica, CA, on May 8.

Grace Kelly (saxophone 2008) will take the stage at The Center for Arts at the Armory in Somerville, MA, on May 9.

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!]