Stony Brook Southampton, in association with The Jazz Loft, will launch The Jazz Loft @ Southampton Concert Series on April 29. This series will feature five concerts showcasing renowned jazz musicians, including Grammy Award winners Dan Pugach and Nicole Zuraitis.
The series has been curated by Thomas Manuel, Jazz Loft founder and Stony Brook University Jazz Department Endowed Artist in Residence Fellow. The intent of the series is to bring the traditions and innovation of jazz to the Southampton community. These performances will offer both education and entertainment, fulfilling The Jazz Loft's objectives of preserving jazz while providing performance opportunities.
Most of the concerts will take place at the Avram Theater on the Stony Brook Southampton campus, with one event scheduled in a tent with a dance floor on the athletics field. This concert series marks the first time jazz events will be held at the Avram since Stony Brook University assumed management of the campus.
“The Jazz Loft @ Southampton is part of a vibrant spring and summer season that brings together our community, faculty, staff, and students around powerful themes — from jazz as a symbol of democracy to the legacy of Long Island’s juke joints and the soul of Latin jazz,” said Wendy Pearson, vice president for strategic initiatives and executive director of Stony Brook Southampton. “We’re excited to once again showcase The Avram as a cultural venue and to partner with The Jazz Loft, whose mission aligns closely with ours in extending access to the arts, education, and engagement. Together, we’re bringing world-class performances to the East End and continuing the renewal of Stony Brook Southampton as a center for creativity, connection, and community.”
“I am thrilled for our new collaboration with Stony Brook Southampton and the opportunity to bring The Jazz Loft’s programming to the East End,” said Manuel. “This is a collaboration that our artists and musical community at large are very excited about.”
The concerts include:
- "Jazz As Democracy" on April 24, highlighting jazz as a metaphor for democracy, featuring performances by The Jazz Loft All Stars and its associated artists.
- "The Art of New" on May 29, highlighting original music from today’s emerging jazz voices, with Grammy winners Dan Pugach and Nicole Zuraitis.
- "Long Island Jazz Legends & Local Juke Joints" on June 19, recognizing jazz figures from Long Island, including a pre-concert lecture and collaboration with the Southampton African American Museum.
- "The Spirit & Soul of Latin Jazz" on July 24, focusing on Latin jazz's influence on American music, coinciding with an exhibit on Xavier Cugat.
- "Abstract Angularity" on August 28, celebrating creative voices in jazz alongside an artistic collaboration with the Pollock-Krasner House and Study Center.
Ticket prices for individual concerts will be $36 for general admission, $33 for seniors, and $18 for Stony Brook students. A series pass for all five concerts is available for $144, with tickets available for online purchase.