Culture Connect Featured Event

The Litchfield Jazz Festival (est. 1996), a 3-day outdoor jazz festival, announces its move to the beautiful campus of Kent School in Kent, Connecticut. Named a Top 100 Festival for 2009 by the American Bus Association, the festival runs July 31 – August 2. The town of Kent (www.kentct.com), tucked in the northwest hills of Connecticut, is known as the cultural heart of the Litchfield Hills with an array of art galleries, cafes, shops, state parks and even a waterfall, all in walking distance from the festival.

The weekend includes an opening night “Friends of the Festival Gala,” three days of jazz, fine arts and craft exhibitors, food vendors, master classes by festival stars and performances by Litchfield Jazz Camp students. Enjoy the experience under the main stage tent or on the lawn. The festival has presented legends like Sonny Rollins, Tito Puente and Ray Charles as well as introduced new talent and fostered the careers of Diana Krall, Brad Mehldau, Jane Monheit and many others. All of this just two hours from NYC on the Metro North Train (Harlem line to TenMile River). Tickets start at $35 with children under twelve free on the lawn. “Among the best of the best,” (JazzTimes) and “A model jazz line-up,” (New York Times).  For line-up, times, tickets and more, visit www.litchfieldjazzfest.com.