Stony Brook Southampton’s Avram Theater will celebrate the legacy of jazz musicians with deep roots on Long Island’s East End on Juneteenth — Thursday, June 16 — with the next show in The Jazz Loft @ Southampton Concert Series.
This special performance in the concert series, a collaboration between Stony Brook Southampton and The Jazz Loft in Stony Brook, will begin at 7 pm and feature jazz greats like Teddy Charles, Teo Macero, Hall McKusick and the Heath Brothers.
Performing will be Project 464, the ensemble of jazz legends whose collective age equals 464 years:
- Houston Person – Iconic tenor saxophonist, age 90, with over 75 albums and a deep connection to soul jazz, known for his collaborations with Etta Jones and his prolific solo career.
- Bill Crow – Renowned bassist and jazz author, age 97, who played with Gerry Mulligan, Benny Goodman, and wrote Jazz Anecdotes and From Birdland to Broadway.
- Steve Little – Duke Ellington’s drummer on ...And His Mother Called Him Bill and the original Sesame Street theme, with a wide-ranging career across genres.
- Warren Vaché – Distinguished cornetist praised for his tone and versatility, with performance and recording credits that span Benny Goodman to Rosemary Clooney.
- Tardo Hammer – Acclaimed jazz pianist who has performed with Lou Donaldson, Abbey Lincoln, and the Art Farmer–Clifford Jordan Quintet.
- Thomas Manuel – Artistic director of The Jazz Loft and a leading voice in preserving Long Island’s jazz legacy, both as a performer and educator.
Person will also be honored during the concert with a “Lifetime Achievement Award from The Jazz Loft,” and a special recognition from the NAACP of Eastern Long Island for his decades of musical excellence and cultural contribution. A multi-generational dinner with the musicians and a group of students will also be held as part of the celebration.
Curated by Manuel — Jazz Loft founder and Stony Brook University Jazz Department Endowed Artist in Residence Fellow — the series aims to bring the rich traditions and innovative spirit of jazz to the Southampton community. The series is part of an ongoing effort to revitalize Stony Brook Southampton as a hub for the arts, community and education.
The theme of each performance looks at jazz both historically and contemporarily, incorporating extraordinary entertainment and education. The Jazz Loft’s mission is one of jazz preservation, education and performance, and this partnership with Stony Brook Southampton will provide East End residents with the opportunity to experience and learn about great jazz first-hand.
The remaining concerts in the series include:
- “The Spirit & Soul of Latin Jazz” – Thursday, July 24, 7 pm
- “Abstract Angularity” – Thursday, August 28, 7 pm
Tickets are $36 for general admission, $33 for seniors and $18 for SBU students. Passes for the final three concerts in the series are available for $80. Purchase tickets online.
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