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Jazz in the Litchfield Hills

by Alexis Savage

For many locals, summertime is the season of leisure, marked with vacations, picnics and festivals; not for Vita Muir. As the driving force behind the Litchfield Jazz Festival & Jazz Camp, Vita has her hands full. The Litchfield Jazz festival has been a staple of summer entertainment in the Litchfield County-Berkshires Region for seventeen years, boasting performers such as J.J. Johnson, Diana Krall, Kenny Rakin and Soulive.

The Goshen Fairgrounds may seem an odd place to hold a jazz festival large enough to attract international stars, but in 1995 Muir saw huge potential. Litchfield was a tourist hub, attracting troves of New York City residents in the summer. Music options in the area were limited to classical music, on which venues such as Tangelwood, Music Mountain, and the Yale Summer School of Music had a steady hold. Furthermore the popularity of classical music was dwindling every year. To be successful the Litchfield festival had to be unique and current.

When speaking with Muir it is clear jazz holds a prominent place in her life. She speaks of it with reverence and enthusiasm. Explaining jazz is not always easy. It is complex and dynamic, with brass, string, wind, and percussion elements playing ever changing roles. It challenges the listener.

As many bands from the late eighties and early nineties will attest, being current only goes so far. True success is timeless. Muir is committed to the timelessness of jazz, especially Litchfield Jazz. This is evident in her practice of, “raising an audience.” Two years after the debut of the festival, Litchfield Jazz Camp began to educate the next generation of musicians and listeners. Now the camp boasts 350 students and programs up to a month long. This year alone, two alumni will be performing on the main stage: Luques Curtis with headliners Eddie Palmieri and the Latin Jazz Band and Emmet Cohen, 2011 Thelonius Monk international jazz piano competition finalist, with his namesake band, Emmet Cohen Trio.

The festival evolves every year, adding new sub-genres and more activities. Muir tries to, “cover the water front of jazz.” This year that means the addition of The Val Ramos Flamenco Ensemble, and Avery Sharpe Gospel Explosion & Sacred Songs. As Muir points out, most people do not realize that Gospel falls under the broad umbrella of Jazz.

While the festival has always catered to families, by admitting children under 12 for free and encouraging families to bring picnics, this year they have upped the ante with the New Kids Zone. Children can enjoy magic shows, hula hooping, stilt walkers, face painting and other interactive activities.

Whether you are a Jazz aficionado or a casual listener, a soulful solo or busy parent looking for a family event, the Litchfield Jazz Festival promises to entertain. More importantly, it promises to expose you to the complexity and vastness of jazz; maybe you will even walk away humming some new-found favorites.

You can enjoy the festival August 9-11 at the Goshen Fair Grounds. litchfieldjazzfest.com

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