HOUSE OF JAZZ FESTIVAL
Presented by Jazz Middlebury & Town Hall Theater
Friday, October 9 - Sunday, October 11
Town Hall Theater and Jazz Middlebury are proud to launch the inaugural Middlebury House of Jazz Festival, a three-day celebration of extraordinary musicianship, creativity, education, and community.
Featuring Grammy Award-winning artists, internationally acclaimed performers, educational master classes, and unforgettable live performances, the Middlebury House of Jazz Festival will establish the region as a destination for exceptional jazz while inspiring audiences of every generation.
BUNDLE PASS (3) – Buy three shows, get a 10% discount
Questions?
In-Person Box Office Hours Thurs-Fri 12-5pm
Email tickets@townhalltheater.org
Telephone 802-382-9222
VIP PASS - Early Bird Special Price $225*
All five concerts
First choice premium seating with concierge box office service for Pizzarelli, Mathis Picard, and Ray Vega
Mathis Picard master class
Passholder reception with exclusive Mathis Picard meet & greet
Festival credential/pass
Convenience of one purchase and a feeling of being an inaugural-festival insider
Middlebury House of Jazz Festival merch
*Valued at $350.00
Friday, October 9th
John Pizzarelli Presents: Dear Mr. Bennett – A Tribute to Tony Bennett
Friday, October 9 at 7:30pm in the Rothrock MainStage
GRAMMY Award-winning producer and guitarist extraordinaire, John Pizzarelli salutes the legendary Tony Bennett celebrating over 60 years of unparalleled artistry. From Bennett's '50s pop hits like "Because of You" and "Rags to Riches" through his timeless classics of the '60s such as "I Wanna Be Around" and "I Left My Heart in San Francisco," to his remarkable collaborations with Bill Evans, Pizzarelli’s trio will bring these iconic songs to life once again. The evening will also highlight Bennett’s incredible revival in the ‘90s while Pizzarelli weaves in personal anecdotes and stories that reveal the man behind the music. Prepare for a night filled with unforgettable music as the John Pizzarelli Trio honors this generational talent.
Saturday, October 10th
Miles Donahue Quartet
Saturday, October 12 at 2pm in the Anderson Studio
The Miles Donahue Quartet showcases that breadth with a lively mix of jazz standards, bebop classics, original compositions, and contemporary favorites. Donahue brings both the sophistication of a seasoned jazz musician and an inviting sense of spontaneity to the stage, creating performances that are as engaging as they are musically accomplished. His quartet celebrates the heart of jazz—conversation, improvisation, and the joy of musicians listening and responding to one another in the moment.
Mathis Picard Trio
Saturday, October 10 at 7:30pm in the Rothrock MainStage
Praised as a “rising star” by Jazzwise, French-Malagasy pianist and composer Mathis Picard blends jazz, classical traditions, and global influences in an exhilarating mix of original music and imaginative interpretations of Ellington, Monk, Bach, Chopin, and Ravel. Arriving at THT fresh from a featured performance at Lincoln Center the night before, Picard has collaborated with luminaries including Wynton Marsalis, Ron Carter, Christian McBride, Cécile McLorin Salvant, and André De Shields, and recently toured Asia with his trio.
Ray Vega’s Afro-Caribbean Ensemble
Sunday, October 12 at 7:30pm in the Rothrock MainStage
GRAMMY Award-winning trumpeter Ray Vega leads his Afro-Caribbean Ensemble in an electrifying festival finale blending Latin jazz, Afro-Caribbean rhythms, salsa, bebop, and funk. A native of the South Bronx, Vega has performed and recorded with jazz and Latin legends including Tito Puente, Ray Barretto, Mongo Santamaria, Celia Cruz, Paquito D’Rivera, Arturo Sandoval, and Eddie Palmieri, and appeared on Puente’s GRAMMY-winning Mambo Birdland.
Sunday, October 11th
Mathis Picard Master Class: The Art of Creation & Creativity
Sunday, October 11 at 11am in the Rothrock MainStage
This master class begins as a lecture and unfolds into a group discussion. Mathis Picard investigates the sources of music, creativity and creation by looking at how creative energy is stored in all 7 chakras in the human body. In this class we can understand on a deeper level how taking care of our mind, bodies and souls leads to a better and creative life.
Mathis, who began playing the piano at the age of 3, was immediately passionate about music's healing quality and now focuses on sharing that passion globally. Mathis currently leads a solo project, a trio project and his orchestra, "The Sound Orchestra".
Lara Cwass Band
Sunday, October 12 at 4pm in the Anderson Studio
Soulful vocals meet jazz, blues, Latin rhythms, and timeless American influences in an afternoon concert filled with warmth, groove, and remarkable musicianship from fast-rising guitarist and vocalist Lara Cwass, a student of acclaimed trumpeter Ray Vega. Born and raised in Queens, NY, Cwass brings an expressive, soulful approach to guitar and vocals, moving effortlessly through jazz fusion, blues, soul, funk, and improvisational music. She has shared the stage with an impressive roster of artists, including members of the Allman Brothers family as well as Eric Krasno, Luther Dickinson, Mike Gordon, John Medeski, Jackie Greene, and many others.
