The Taft School Music for a While concert series continues Saturday, February 22, with a cabaret-style evening of Jazz, New Orleans Blues, American Funk and more featuring the T.J. Thompson Sextet. Doors open at 6:30 pm for Jazz from the Undercroft: Mardi Gras Celebration; the show begins at 7. The event is free and open to the public. Tickets are not required.
Taft School instrumental music teacher, conductor, and pianist T.J. Thompson leads a sextet of talented musicians on what has become one of the most fun musical nights of the year at Taft. The group includes vocalist Jessica Cain, Matt Schmidt on baritone sax, bassist Miles Livolsi, Nick DiMaria on Trumpet, and drummer James Allen. They will perform music form early Jazz and Stride icon Jelly Roll Morton and pay tribute to Louis "Satchmo" Armstong, one of the most influential figures in the history of Jazz. The set list will also include nods to New Orleans Blues legend Professor Longhair, American Funk band The Meters, and, notes Thompson, plenty of surprises.
Guests are invited to bring their own refreshments to the cabaret, which is located in the Woodward Chapel Undercroft, 25 The Green, in Watertown, CT, on the Taft School campus. For more information visit taftschool.org/concerts or call the box office at 860-945-7898.