The first ever Tilles Jazz Fest comes to life July 20th, in a one-day outdoor and indoor event hosted on the beautiful Long Island University Post campus on July 20, 2024. Nine concerts will take place from 1 pm to 10 pm, including a traditional New Orleans-style “second line” parade around the festival grounds. Produced by Tilles Center for the Performing Arts in collaboration with Jazz at Lincoln Center, the festival features eight of the hottest established and rising stars in jazz.
Nine professional concerts will take place throughout the day and into the evening on four stages across the verdant Long Island University Post campus. Two outdoor venues include the Dime Mainstage on the Great Lawn, and the charming and idyllic Rose Garden. Intimate performances will be held inside the historic Winnick House, the original home of American breakfast cereal inventor Charles William Post, and his daughter Marjorie Merriweather Post.
NEA Jazz Master, Grammy Award winner, and Tony nominee Branford Marsalis and his Quartet headline at 7:30 pm in Tilles Center’s Krasnoff Theatre. Known for his versatility across genres, compositions, and commitment to education, mentorship, and community, Marsalis leads on tenor and soprano sax, with pianist Joey Calderazzo, bassist Eric Revis, and drummer Justin Faulkner rounding out the group.
Also performing will be Matt Wilson’s Good Trouble, a special project comprised of a stellar team of jazz musicians featuring Tia Fuller, Dawn Clement, Mimi Jones, and Jeff Lederer. Wilson formerly served as a faculty member at LIU and curated the “Jazz on Stage” series at Tilles Center.
Innovative harpist and Hempstead native Brandee Younger was named winner of DownBeat Critics Poll in the category of “Rising Star” harpist and was nominated for the Grammy Award for Best Instrumental Composition, making history as the first black woman to be nominated in that category. Brandee plays in the Rose Garden at 4 pm.
Student ensembles will also be on hand, including two LIU groups, the LIU Jazz Sharks and LIU Jazz Combo greeting guests from 12:15 – 1:15 pm at both Tilles Center entrances, Monter and Castagna Plazas. Two area schools, Harborfields High School Jazz Band, and The Elmont Global Jazz Orchestra, will perform in the Rose Garden at 2 pm. Sea Cliff’s own North Shore Jazz Quartet, inclusive of current conservatory and high school students, will perform at 6:30 pm at Tilles Center’s outdoor Castagna plaza.
Gates open at noon on July 20, with the first performance starting at 1 pm, and additional shows throughout the day. Seating for all daytime events is general admission, and attendees are invited to bring picnics, blankets, and chairs. Daytime festivities include food trucks such as Green Street Eatery, and Demi’s Spot Food Truck; local artisans and vendors, including Rosie’s Vintage selling vinyl albums and vintage goods; and an “instrument petting zoo” perfect for kids.
Tilles Center’s Executive and Artistic Director, Tom Dunn, remarked, “We’re thrilled to unveil this first-ever and first-annual landmark event. In collaboration with our friends at Jazz at Lincoln Center, we’re set to transform the beautiful LIU Post campus into a vibrant hub of music and fun on July 20. It promises to be an unforgettable day for our entire community to celebrate summer with the joy of live jazz.”
Jazz at Lincoln Center’s Georgina Javor, Vice President Concerts and Touring, said, “We’re so pleased to extend our long-standing collaboration with Tilles Center to create this exciting new event, and the lineup of artists are a who’s who of established and upcoming talent.”
For the full list of performers and ticket information, visit https://www.tillescenter.org/event/tilles-jazz-fest.
Information provided by the Tilles Center.
