News

Vail Jazz Workshop alumni continue to make their mark on one of NYC’s premier jazz venues, with multiple alumni performances at Dizzy’s Club. Located inside Jazz at Lincoln Center, Dizzy’s has long been recognized as one of the country’s top stages for contemporary jazz, and several Workshop alumni will be taking the spotlight there this June.

Benny Benack III (trumpet 2008) returns to Dizzy’s Club on June 10 for Jazz @ Pride, bringing his signature blend of swing-era influence and modern jazz artistry to the celebrated venue. That same evening, fellow alumnus Bryan Carter (drums 2007) also performs at Dizzy’s, continuing his impressive run as one of the most in-demand drummers, composers, and bandleaders in jazz today.

From award-winning bandleaders to rising stars, Vail Jazz Workshop alumni continue to build impressive careers on some of the most respected stages in the jazz world.

Performances

Saxophonist Terrace Martin (1997) will be taking the stage at Blue Note NYC alongside fellow alumnus Morgan Guerin (saxophone 2014) for a residency from May 26 to 31, before jumping coasts and heading to Blue Note Los Angeles for performances June 8–10.

Trumpeter Ambrose Akinmusire (2000) and his Quartet will take the stage at the Village Vanguard in NYC, May 27–31.

Robert Glasper (piano 1997) has a residency at the Dakota in Minneapolis, MN, from May 27–29, before heading to City Winery in St. Louis, MO, for performances May 30–31.

Benny Benack III (trumpet 2008) begins a busy stretch of performances on May 28 at Birdland Theater in NYC. On May 29, he heads to Universal Preservation Hall in Saratoga Springs, NY, before returning to NYC for performances on May 30 at Barretto New York and May 31 at Plowshares Coffee Roasters. Benack then travels to Las Vegas, NV, for a June 4 performance at Vic’s Las Vegas.

Pianist Brandon Goldberg (2023) will be at Black Cat in San Francisco, CA, May 29–31.

Khris Royal (saxophone 2004) performs at d.b.a. New Orleans in New Orleans, LA, on May 29.

Gerald Clayton (piano 2002) performs at the Greek Theatre in Los Angeles, CA, on May 30 for the LACHSApalooza.

Saxophonist Hailey Niswanger (2007) will play at Mississippi Studios in Portland, OR, on June 4.

Chief Adjuah (trumpet 2001) joins the lineup at the Blue Note Jazz Festival in NYC from June 4 to 7.

Anthony Hervey (trumpet 2014) performs at The Town Hall in NYC on June 5.

Sullivan Fortner (piano 2002) takes the stage at the Albert Simons Center for the Arts in Charleston, SC, on June 5–6 for the Spoleto Festival.

Lakecia Benjamin (saxophone 1999) will be at The Pocket Jazz Club in NYC on June 6–7.

Isaiah J. Thompson (piano 2014) performs at the Franklin Theatre in Franklin, TN, on June 7.

Jumaane Smith (trumpet 1998) performs at Levitt Pavilion for the Performing Arts in Westport, CT, on June 7.

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!]