Kent CT holiday concert with Matt Wilson

Kent, Connecticut, is becoming a hotbed of jazz activity, now that the Litchfield Jazz Festival has moved there. On Dec. 11, our friends at the festival are presenting a holiday concert with the legendary drummer Matt Wilson. Read on for more details….

Kent, CT – The Litchfield Jazz Festival announces “Christmas Tree-O: A Holiday Concert” featuring Artist-in-Residence, drummer, Matt Wilson. The concert will be held at St. Andrew’s Church in Kent on Saturday, December 11 at 3:00pm, and will feature festive jazzy tunes from Matt’s latest release, “Christmas Tree-O,” out now on Palmetto Records. Matt Wilson kicked-off his stint as the Litchfield festival’s first Artist-in-Residence last August, when he taught at Litchfield Jazz Camp, led Artist Talks with Dave Brubeck and Mario Pavone, and performed twice at the 15th Anniversary of the Litchfield Jazz Festival held at Kent School.

Matt Wilson has performed on the Litchfield Jazz Festival 16 times in the past 15 years with a number of different groups, including his own Quartet and his Arts & Crafts Ensemble. He has worked with other well-known artists including Charlie Haden, Elvis Costello, Lee Konitz, Wynton Marsalis and many more. On his “Christmas Tree-O” album, he collaborates with longtime band-mates, reedman Jeff Lederer and bassist Paul Sikivie. The album highlights exciting variations on holiday classics and embodies the spirit of the holiday season.

“Christmas Tree-O: A Holiday Concert” will be followed by a reception across the street at the Ober Gallery, 14 Old Barn Road, Kent. Great gifts will be raffled including a gift basket valued at over $1,500 with holiday treats, gifts from Kent businesses, teas by Harney & Sons Fine Teas, and CD’s from Palmetto Recording Artists including Matt Wilson. General Admission tickets are $15. Reserved Concert Seating and Reception tickets are $40. Tickets can be purchased by mail order to: The Litchfield Jazz Festival, PO Box 69, Litchfield, CT 06759, online at www.litchfieldjazzfest.com/calendar, by phone at 860-361-6285, in person at two Kent locations; Kent Wine & Spirit and J.P. Gifford, or at the door at St. Andrew’s Church, 1 North Main Street, Kent. For more information please call 860-361-6285 or email info@litchfieldjazzfest.com.