The 42nd Annual Seacoast Jazz Festival, in partnership with Seacoast Jazz Society, with presenting sponsor, Jimmy’s Jazz & Blues Club is back on the Wilcox Main Stage.
Prescott Park Arts Festival, in partnership with Seacoast Jazz Society, is delighted to present the 42nd Annual Seacoast Jazz Festival featuring a host of local, regional, and international talent, amplifying the different styles of jazz. The festival has a tremendous history on the seacoast. The first festival was held in 1983 under the name, Portsmouth Jazz Festival. For over 25 years, it was known as the Tommy Gallant Jazz Festival, to honor legendary local jazz pianist and composer, Tommy Gallant. In recent years it has become the Seacoast Jazz Festival in the hopes to expand the jazz festival’s reach in the future as a destination event featuring acclaimed jazz artists from around the globe. The Seacoast Jazz Society was formed in 1990 and its mission is to promote jazz through community outreach and education, to support local musicians, and to provide scholarships for young artists. For more information about the Seacoast Jazz Society, or to donate, please visit www.seacoastjazz.org.
42nd Annual Seacoast Jazz Festival featuring Matt Wilson’s Good Trouble
Line-up
12 PM: Sax Summit featuring Charlie Jennison
1:15 PM: Yulia Musayelyan Quartet
2:30 PM: Vintage Vocal Quartet
3:45 PM: New Hampshire Jazz Orchestra
5PM: Matt Wilson’s Good Trouble
* Rain Date: Sunday, August 24
Please note: the line-up is subject to change in the event of moving to the Rain Date
Featuring Matt Wilson’s Good Trouble
Matt Wilson has released thirteen albums as a leader, appeared on more than 400 others as a sideman and has played with an impressive array of some of the most legendary names in jazz, including Wynton Marsalis, Lee Konitz, Joe Lovano, Pat Metheny, Dewey Redman, Charlie Haden, John Scofield, Joanne Brackeen and Herbie Hancock, just to name a few. Wilson’s commitment to jazz goes far beyond his estimable skills as a drummer and bandleader. Also a renowned educator, he is on a tireless mission to foster a lively and deep connection between music and people, whether they be playing or listening to it. To that end, he is extremely passionate about bringing jazz to new audiences and inspiring students to be as individualistic and imaginative as possible.
Sax Summit featuring Charlie Jennison
Charlie Jennison, Marc LaForce, Nick Mainella – saxes, David Newsam – guitar, John Hunter – bass, Les Harris Jr – drums
Multi-instrumentalist Charlie Jennison plays lead alto sax, flute and soprano sax with the Seacoast Big Band and is also a member of the Capitol Jazz Orchestra that plays frequently at the Capital Center for the Arts in Concord, NH. Currently working with vocalist Johanna Landis, he can be found gigging around Portsmouth at the Book and Bar, Press Room and other local venues.
For more than 30 years, Charlie worked with Exeter, NH based jazz pianist Tommy Gallant, a teacher at the Berklee School of Music and an alumnus of Woody Herman’s band, who heavily influenced Charlie’s growth as a musician and music educator. Charlie also studied with such major jazz figures as Jerry Bergonzi, Charlie Mariano, Jerry Coker, and Ted Casher.
Additionally, Charlie has shared the stage or been in the recording studio with such notable jazz musicians as Clark Terry, Dizzy Gillespie, Buddy DeFranco, Alan Dawson, and Marshal Royal as well as backing up live performances for other exceptional musicians such as Rosemary Clooney, Carmen Bradford, Natalie Cole, Andy Williams, Delfeayo Marsalis, jazz violinist Sara Caswell, saxophonist Grace Kelly, and singer/songwriter Jon Bon Jovi!
Over the course of his career, Charlie has taught private music lessons at Dartmouth College, Univ. of New Hampshire and the Univ. of Maine as well as courses in Music History and Jazz Improvisation at UNH and Granite State College. He has also taught at St. Paul’s School, the UNH Summer Youth Music School, and the Phillips Exeter Summer Music Program.
A versatile educator, whether presenting jazz performances & workshops for libraries, jazz societies, & schools throughout the New England region or coaching a jazz combo, directing a jazz band, or giving a lecture on the history of jazz in the NH Seacoast, Charlie brings his love for music to all things jazz-related.
Currently teaching at Phillips Exeter Academy where he is a member of the faculty jazz quartet, Charlie also offers private instruction on classical and jazz saxophone for all levels of experience, as well as jazz piano instruction for beginning and intermediate players.
Yulia Musayelyan Quartet
Yulia Musayelyan – flute, Maxim Lubarsky – piano, Fernando Huergo – bass, Gen Yoshimura – drums
Yulia Musayelyan is a flutist and composer, originally from Moscow, Russia. She has recorded on over 35 albums as sideman and has toured the US, UK, Europe, Central and South America with various musical projects.
Her releases as leader and co-leader include ‘Caminos’ (2009 Blue Music Group), ‘Landscapes’ (with Macayú Trio, 2019), “Unsaid” (2020, Next Level), and “Oblivion’ (2021, ZOHO Music).
Vintage Vocal Quartet
David Thorne Scott – voice/bass guitar, Taylor O’Donnell – voice/piano, Chris Humphrey – voice/trombone/drums, Paul Pampinella – voice/guitar
The Vintage Vocal Quartet is coming to fill your ears and your heart with the sweet swinging harmonies of the Swing Era, when jazz music and pop music were one and the same. It was a time when every radio blared out music that was danceable yet sophisticated.
The Vintage Vocal Quartet sings while playing piano, guitar, bass and trombone/drums. They are dialed in to the sound of groups like Glenn Miller’s Modernaires, the Nat King Cole Trio, the Andrews Sisters, and Tommy Dorsey’s Pied Pipers; as well as singers like Bing Crosby, Frank Sinatra, and Ella Fitzgerald.
The Vintage Vocal Quartet has been delighting concert audiences and lindy hoppers all over New England. These four performers provide their own accompaniment on piano, bass, guitar and trombone/drums to complement their powerful harmony vocals.
When founder David Thorne Scott did a tour performing with the legendary Four Freshmen, he saw that vintage music — sassy and sweet, danceable and sophisticated — hits the spot for 21st century audiences. He came home to Boston and called up guitarist Paul Pampinella of the groundbreaking a cappella group Vox One and pianist Taylor O’Donnell, whose versatile voice can deliver jazz to funk with a whisper to a wail. Add trombonist and swing drummer Chris Humphrey and you’ve got yourself a four piece harmony machine.
Get ready to swing with the Vintage Vocal Quartet!
New Hampshire Jazz Orchestra
The NH Jazz Orchestra’s (NHJO) mission is to connect some of the most talented musicians in the region to audiences that appreciate the excitement and performance of authentic Big Band music. The orchestra was built on the belief that music has the power to inspire, connect, and give back. It’s more than just a big band – it’s a musical movement dedicated to excellence, community, and the future of jazz. Founded in the Fall of 2021, the orchestra stands out not only for its high-caliber performances, but also for its commitment to outreach and education.
With a mission to inspire audiences and support young musicians, the NHJO blends tradition with innovation, bringing the power of live big band music to concert halls, festivals, and school events across the region. What makes this ensemble especially unique is its dedication to giving back. Through benefit performances, educational workshops, and mentorship, the ensemble actively invests in the next generation of musicians. Every performance is more than entertainment – it’s an opportunity to connect, uplift, and ensure that this art form continues to thrive for years to come. Passion, purpose, and collaboration define this one-of-a-kind ensemble, making it a true gem in New England’s music scene. For more information, please visit www.cplivemusic.com.
CLAYTON “SKIP” POOLE, MUSIC DIRECTOR
Clayton, (or “Skip” as he is known to his family and friends), has enjoyed over 47 years of bringing top quality music to audiences all around the United States. He has founded and conducted multiple music groups including the nationally acclaimed Capital Jazz Orchestra and, most recently, The NH Jazz Orchestra.
Over the course of his elaborate music career, Clayton has worked with such musical luminaries as Mel Tormé, Rosemary Clooney, Johnny Mathis, Andy Williams, Dionne Warwick, Cab Calloway, Maynard Ferguson, Frank Foster, “Wild” Bill Davis and many other major music stars.
In 2011, Clayton was invited to join the late musicologist Gunther Schuller on a lecture panel at the Berklee School of Music in Boston to discuss the influence of Paul Whiteman on the early jazz period. Skip’s comments have been published in the book “Paul Whiteman – Pioneer in American Music” by Don Rayno.
As Music Director of The Capital Jazz Orchestra, he has worked with The Four Freshmen, Delfeayo Marsalis, Trumpeter Byron Stripling, Basie drummer Butch Miles, Grammy award winner John Pizzarelli and vocalist Carmen Bradford. Additionally, Skip has toured nationally with the CJO featuring NYC clarinet virtuoso and Benny Goodman alumnus, Ken Peplowski.
In this current season with The New Hampshire Jazz Orchestra, Skip has invited both internationally known composer/arranger Dr. Eric Richards and Grammy winning trumpeter Bryan Davis, currently lead trumpet with both the Duke Ellington Orchestra and the 8-Bit big band as featured guests of the NHJO.
Recently, Skip, his son CJ and the NHJO have been featured in NH Magazine and have also been a highlighted story on the WMUR-TV show “Chronicle”. Additionally, Mr. Poole is now co-producing a unique monthly podcast highlighting stories from years of working with name stars and mavens of the jazz genre entitled “Big Band Backstage” with host Laura Knoy. The show is available through www.cplivemusic.com, YouTube, and Spotify.
THE NEW HAMPSHIRE JAZZ ORCHESTRA
Clayton “Skip” Poole, Music Director
PERSONNEL:
Reed I –Greg Mostovoy Trumpet I – Bob Maccini
Reed II – Kelsey Wynn Trumpet II – Bob Couturier
Reed III – Lisa Noordergraaf Trumpet III – Rob Cary
Reed IV – Charlie Jennison Trumpet IV – Mike Sheehan
Reed V – Don Davis Trumpet V – Justin O’Donnell
Trombone I – Bryan House Guitar – Bob Arpin
Trombone II – Alexander Richards Double Bass – CJ Poole
Trombone III – Max Lalos Piano – Nick Valiton
Trombone IV – Drew Coraccio Drums – Jim Lattini
Tuba – Hailley McConnell