Eminent Jazz trumpeter and composer/arranger/bandleader Charles Tolliver will perform in concert at at Western Connecticut State University in Danbury.

— an announcement from Western Connecticut State University

Tolliver’s performance, at 7 p.m., Friday, April 26 in Danbury is one of many in WCSU’s 27th Annual Jazz Fest, taking place from April 25 to 28.

Here’s what happens each day:

The 2024 WCSU Jazz Fest kicks off with performances by the WCSU Department of Music’s Vocal Jazz Ensemble, WCSU Jazz Combos and the Jazz Ensemble at 7 p.m. on Thursday, April 25. Tickets are $7 plus fees online or $10 at the door.

Tolliver will perform with the WCSU Jazz Orchestra in a concert beginning at 7 p.m. on Friday, April 26. Tickets are $10 plus fees online or $15 at the door.

On Saturday, April 27, WCSU Jazz Faculty, featuring Jamie Begian, guitar; Danton Boller, bass; Will Gorman, voice; Jimmy Greene, saxophone; Haneef Nelson, trumpet; Carmen Staaf, piano; and Jeff Siegel, drums, will perform at 7 p.m. Tickets are $10 plus fees online and $15 at the door.

Finally, on Sunday, April 28, the last day of the Jazz Fest, performances will feature two groups of some of the most outstanding high school students from across the state. These groups will be directed by Dr. Jimmy Greene and Jamie Begian. Following the high school student all-star bands, Begian will lead a big band of WCSU alumni in a set of music for large jazz ensemble. Tickets are $7 plus fees online and $10 at the door.

If You’re Going …

The four-day event takes place at the Veronica Hagman Concert Hall in the university’s Visual and Performing Arts Center (VPAC), 43 Lake Ave. Extension, Danbury. All events are open to the public and tickets are available here.

More About Charles Tolliver

According to his bio, “Charles Tolliver began his professional career and simultaneously his recording debut with the saxophone giant Jackie McLean on Blue Note Records in 1964. […] He is also a Grammy nominated recipient for his Blue Note Records recording ‘With Love.’

“With a career that has spanned five decades he has recorded and/or performed with such renowned artists as Roy Haynes, Hank Mobley, Willie Bobo, Horace Silver, McCoy Tyner, Sonny Rollins, Booker Ervin, Gary Bartz, Gerald Wilson Orchestra, Oliver Nelson, Stanley Cowell, Herbie Hancock, Andrew Hill, Louis Hayes, Roy Ayers, Art Blakey & the Jazz Messengers, and owned the trumpet chair with the great Max Roach for some years.

Charles’ latest recording is ‘CONNECT’ released July 2020 on Gearbox Records.”