Masks are required for events taking place in-person at the Jazz Center during the Fest.
Friday evening: Youth musicians perform as part of Gallery Walk (no reservations required)
Saturday daytime: Student group performances, clinic
Saturday evening: Dan Wilson Quartet concert
The Emerging Artist Festival, now in its 5th year, celebrates youth involvement in jazz. On Friday evening, the VJC will once again team up with local high schools and universities as well as Gallery Walk and Downtown Brattleboro Alliance to present youth jazz ensembles in the 118 Elliot Street Gallery.
During the day on Saturday, the VJC will team up with area schools to feature student groups who will perform for each other and be coached by clinicians including festival headliner, Dan Wilson. Daytime activities will culminate in a clinic offered by Wilson to area youth and aficionados of jazz and blues.
Saturday evening at 8:00 PM, Rising Star Award-winning jazz guitarist Wilson will perform the marquee event for the general public.
Dan Wilson has been hailed for his performance at the Newport Jazz Festival, his work with Christian McBride’s ‘Tip City’ and his Grammy-nominated recording as a member of Joey DeFrancesco’s Project Freedom band. Wilson’s musicianship was cultivated while growing up in the church in Akron, Ohio. That connection with gospel and uplifted spirit permeates his work as a solo artist (he has three albums out as a leader) and informs his appearances as a sideman with Eric Marienthal, Russell Malone, Les McCann, René Marie, Jeff Hamilton, David Sanborn, Dave Stryker and others.