Brass City Jazz Fest

On Saturday, August 5, the Brass City Jazz Fest returns to downtown Waterbury.

This free, all-day contemporary jazz festival brings together some of the country's and region's top performing artists, including headliner jazz keyboardist Chris "Big Dog" Davis, a two-time Grammy nominated composer and producer with 20 BillBoard #1 hits to his credit.

Other performers include world-renowned bassist Gerald Veasley, Billboard's Smooth Jazz and Sirius XM Watercolors Hit-Maker Carl Cox, guitarist Ray "The Weeper" Fuller, multi-instrumentalist saxophonist Curtis Haywood, Billboard Charting Vocalist Rebecca Jade, and Brass City Jazz Fest musical director and bassist Steve Clarke. The event will also feature special guest Andrea Deyo, a vocalist from Waterbury.

The festival, which runs from 2 p.m. to 10 p.m. in Library Park, will also feature a variety of artisans and business vendors, as well as food and drink options.

The headliner, Davis, grew up in Waterbury and started playing piano at age four. He played every day at the Refuge Church of Christ, where his mother was the choir director. He recorded his first record at age 16 and went on to study under Jackie Mclean at The Hartt School of Jazz. Throughout his musical career, he has appeared on the Arsenio Hall Show, The Tonight Show, and The Rosie O'Donnell Show. He has worked for several decades as a producer and recording and touring musician, including alongside funk legends George Clinton, Brian McKnight, Maysa, and many others.

"The Brass City Jazz Committee, in conjunction with Main Street Waterbury, worked diligently to put together an all-star jazz line up that will delight audiences of all ages," said Event Chairman Al Taylor. "We can't wait to fill downtown Waterbury with the sweet sounds of jazz!"

Category: Live Music | Jazz