Founded in 1970 by the late great alto saxophonist Jackie McLean (who is the namesake of the jazz program at the local Hartt School, where he taught for decades) and his wife Dollie, the Artists’ Collective is a self-styled ‘interdisciplinary arts and cultural institution’, dedicated to the preservation of African-American culture through training in a multitude of artistic disciplines. The Collective was founded to give focus to low-income and at-risk …more…

Conceived by noted Hartford jazz bassist Paul Brown, The Greater Hartford Festival of Jazz began in 1992 and continues today to be New England’s largest free jazz festival. Held in historic Bushnell Park, the festival has attracted a number of great performers over its almost 20 year history including Arturo Sandoval (1993), The Duke Ellington Orchestra (1994), Dave Brubeck (1998), Chuck Mangione (2000), The Woody Herman Big Band (2006) and …more…

(CLOSED 2011; the former owners have a new restaurant, Arena Patio, that plans to offer jazz but, as of May 2012, has not begun to do so.)
Don’t be fooled by the Asian fusion cuisine … Szechuan Tokyo is very dedicated to the local jazz scene and brings in great players from all around the area every Friday and Saturday night. No cover charge, but there is a drink minimum. Do be aware that there is the possibility this venue will be changing location within the next couple years. ...more...