Live This, the First Week of Summer (Part 2)

The more I dig, the more I find going on in the state of Connecticut this week.  Saxophonist/composer Jimmy Greene and his Quartet will perform this Thursday (6/21) as part of the 2013 UMOJA Music Series, held in the Pump House Gallery in Bushnell Park in Hartford. UMOJA is the brainchild of saxophonist Yunie Mojica and trombonist Raynel Frazier, 2 young musicians from the Hartford area who began collaborating in 2007 at the Jackie McLean Institute/ Artists Collective.  This series, now in its second year, brings in musicians from throughout the area and the country.  TFor now, the UMOJA website (www.umojamusic.com) is listing 4 shows between June 20 and July 18. This Thursday's show opens at 8 p.m. with the Yunie Mojica Quintet featuring tenor saxophonist Camille Thurman.  Click on website link above for more information.

One of the better events that Connecticut hosts is the Hot Steamed Jazz Festival. The 2013 edition takes place this weekend Friday night through Sunday evening) on the grounds of the Essex Steam Train station (hence the name), 1 Railroad Avenue in Essex. The lineup is a pleasing blend of Traditional jazz, Dixieland, blues, boogie-woogie with perennial favorites such as the Dan Levinson
New Millennium All-Stars, CT's own Galvanized Jazz Band, the Riverboat Ramblers and the great pianist Jeff Barnhart.  There is also a youth jazz ensemble that is a knock-out and lots more.  The website - www.hotsteamedjazz.com - lists the lineup but not the times.  Nevertheless, it'a a fun way to spend a day or weekend. Even better, the money raised from these shows goes to benefit the Hole in the Wall Gang Camp, a no-fee summer camp experience for seriously ill children and their families.  Founded 25 years ago by Paul Newman, the Camp is truly a wondrous thing.

The Afro-Semitic Experience, who spent many an evening in The Buttonwood Tree in its early days (early in the New Millennium) working out its material, returns to the Middletown venue at 605 Main Street this Friday to help raise money for The Buttonwood's piano fund.  A new (new-ish) keyboard has been purchased but needs to be refurbished so the proceeds from the ticket sales will go to help defray the costs.  Co-founded by pianist Warren Byrd and bassist David Chevan, the Afro-Semitic Experience plays a heady blend of African American and Jewish liturgical music as well as a number of original works that mine the Black Music continuum.  The gig will feature music from the band's new project, "Jazz Souls on Fire." For more information, go to www.buttonwood.org - to find out more about the band, go to afrosemiticexperience.net.

Real Art Ways, 56 Arbor Street in Hartford, presents Wicked Knee in special outdoor concert at 7 p.m. this Saturday evening (6/22). Wicked Knee is a funky band featuring drummer Billy Martin (yes, he of Martin, Medeski & Wood) with Stephen Bernstein (trumpet), Curtis Fowlkes (trombone) and Marcus Rojas (tuba); the drummer/ leader describes the quartet as a "juke joint band" that plays "ragtime funk."  Got your attention? This is a free concert so be prepared to dance the evening away. You best call RAW at 860-232-1006 to find out how and where you can get in on this musical treat.  To find out more about the ensemble and its origins, go to www.wickedknee.com.