Every summer as I look forward to the Monday night Jazz Concerts put on by the Hartford Jazz Society, I can't wait for the GHFJ weekend to come. I mean that makes it 4 straight days of jazz, but the very BEST part is when I see my friends from all over Hartford, the cities finest folks, who spread happiness and good times over the City of Hartford. Hartford is an amazing hotbed for the arts!!!!! I love Hartford!

- Jill R. Friedman

I grew up in the Southend of Hartford and my wife and I always look forward to the GHFJ each July. We always go for two days and stay for the whole day. We can't wait to go again this year. - Rich & Sharon D.

I had a great time June 21, 2012. All the artists were outstanding. Great view, great friends, great weather. Outstanding event. You guys do a fabulous job putting this event together. I hope it continues for years to come. In closing keep up the good work and looking forward to next year. - Mike B.

For the past five years I have had the pleasure of being Alvin's assistant stage manager at the Hartford Jazz Festival. Everyone on the board, and the many volunteers, have made me feel welcome each summer. Further, working closely with the great list of musicians is the highlight of the many shows that I work each year. Thanks for letting me be a part of the backstage family! - Rich Abrams

Excellent! Fabulous music and great marketplace. Nice opportunity for community connection as well. Keep up the great work! - Jazz Patron

The Greater Hartford Jazz Fest is my favorite weekend of the summer. I love the line ups, the socializing with friends- new and old, the setting. The volunteers and the Board do a wonderful job. So grateful to have this event in the city of Hartford. - Beth

Who says Hartford is dead??  The Greater Hartford Festival of Jazz proves otherwise. One of the highlights of the entire summer season year after year.  Keep up the fantastic work! - Jazz Patron

To Whom This May Concern:

As a participating performer in the 2009 Greater Hartford Jazz Festival, I just want to say that during my show as I looked out over the happy faces in the crowd, I seriously realized the importance of the artist-live audience relationship. The disappearing of jazz radio has increased the importance of people being able to see and hear their favorite artists in a live setting like the Hartford Jazz fest. And the fact that they can present it as a free concert is even more impressive in these rough economic times. I have seen this music we love so much bring people of all races and ethnicities together like few other things can. The cultural importance of making jazz (the only original American art form) available to the public is immeasurable, and we in the artistic community as well as the fans every where are praying that it can continue.

Thank you,

Bobby Lyle

To The Entire Staff at the Greater Hartford Jazz Festival:

I had a wonderful time this past weekend!  I'm also very honored. You put the "soul" back in Jazz.  The music was great and warm. The staff was ego and stress-free and you got it done without breaking a sweat. I enjoyed Sunday's lineup. It was cool and refreshing.   Azar had the spirit of Coltrane in the park. Bobby Lyle was wonderful. Wow. Congratulations to you all for a great weekend and thank you for having me a part of it. On behalf of Brenda Hazel and myself, "thank you" and much continued success in 2010.

Today, I'm in the studio all day to see what new musical concoctions can be derived from your inspired event, then off to the Norfolk Jazz Fest (with George Duke and Jean Carne) followed by South Africa and the UK.

Thanks for making Hartford part of a wonderful and blessed journey.

Sincerely,

Bob Baldwin and Brenda Hazel

Hi Ric, Hortense, Alvin, Phil & the whole GHFJ team!

Just home from two weeks on the road and wanted to drop a note to say THANKS THANKS THANKS for having us in for this years festival!  It was a thrill to bring this all-star band to the festival and we had a ball playing there!  

What a beautiful and inspiring setting for a show...  I can't thank you enough for what you do for this music, all as volunteers and taking the time out of your lives to present such an amazing event!  It was a pleasure to work with all of you and we definitely have great memories from the show and our brief time in Hartford.

It was definitely one of the highlights of the summer thus far! Keep fighting the good fight for jazz, you obviously have an audience that appreciates your hard work greatly.

If there's ever anything I can do to help support you all in the future, please don't hesitate to ask.  On behalf of the whole band, kudos on a job well done. Hope we'll have a chance to return there in the years to come!

Take care,

Lao Tizer