Mayor Arunan Arulampalam says for many of the tens of thousands of fans visiting from all over the country, the annual Greater Hartford Festival of Jazz is a great introduction to the capital city.
“I consistently get positive remarks about how great the city is,” says the mayor. “They never knew anything about the city of Hartford and they come for one of our music festivals and they fall in love with everything we have here.”
100 thousand people are expected at New England’s biggest free jazz festival, which takes full advantage of its home site, Hartford’s plush centerpiece, Bushnell Park.
“It’s a beautiful venue for it,” adds Arulampalam. “You can roll out your blanket with your friends and sit under the Capitol dome there under the skylight and listen to some of the best jazz musicians from around the country. It really is a world-class jazz festival.”
Admission is free for all, although VIP and Tent City passes are available on site.
The music begins at 6 pm Friday with local duo Sounds of April and Randall. Extended sessions begin at 2:30 pm Saturday and Sunday, plus there’s a Jazz Mass at Christ Church Cathedral at 10 am Sunday.
Featured artists include Ace Livingston & Friends, 3-Alarm Fire and singer Michelle Coltrane.
Food trucks and vendor booths will be among the amenities on hand.
There’s more info at hartfordjazz.org.