This events calendar includes Earl’s upcoming performances, compositional debuts, recordings and educational activities. On mobile devices this calendar is best viewed horizontally.
2024
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Fri09Feb2024
UConn High School Jazz Festival
9 AM - 6 PMvon der Mehden Recital Hall, 875 Coventry Rd, Storrs, CT
[directions and parking]
The annual UConn Jazz Festival is a non-competitive and educationally-rewarding experience that provides a forum for mutual support of each ensemble’s efforts while enhancing skills in the jazz idiom. Highlights of the festival include:
- a twenty-minute performance time for each ensemble,
- a twenty-minute personalized clinic by a UConn Jazz faculty member,
- beginning, intermediate, and advanced level improvisation master classes, and
- a mini-concert by the UConn Jazz Ensemble and UConn Jazz faculty.
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Wed14Feb2024Fri16Feb2024
Guest Artist - Marshall University Winter Jazz Festival
Marshall University, Huntington, West Virginia
As guest artist/Joan C. Edwards Distinguished Professor in the Arts for the Marshall University Winter Jazz Festival, Earl will perform with the big band, give a small group concert, and a present two, hour-long clinics for the festival participants (high school/middle school bands/MU students).
You can read about the festival here: https://www.marshall.edu/music/jazz/events/jazzfest/ It’s the 2nd oldest non-competitive collegiate jazz festival in the country…55 years and counting! -
Tue05Mar2024Fri08Mar2024
Alberta International Band Festival
the Polaris Centre For The Performing Arts, Calgary, Alberta, Canada
Earl will adjudicate jazz bands at the AIBF Calgary Festival, and provide post-performance educational workshops, offering feedback to the student musicians. The Alberta International Band Festivals is a non-profit organization dedicated to providing a performance platform for junior high/middle school, high school, and community bands. Organizers are committed to providing participants with a valuable and stimulating educational experience in a non-competitive atmosphere.
web site: https://www.aibfestival.ca/ -
Sat16Mar2024
2024 Clark Terry UNH Jazz Festival - Adjudicator
7:30 AM - 5:30 PMUniversity of New Hampshire, College of Liberal Arts, Department of Music, Paul Creative Arts Center, 30 Academic Way Durham, NH 03824-2617
Earl will serve as an adjudicator at the 2024 Clark Terry UNH Jazz Festival on Saturday, March 16th, 2024. Guest artists include saxophonist Camille Thurman, and trumpeter Sean Jones. -
Wed27Mar2024
New London Big Band
6:30 - 9:00 PMThe Social Bar + Kitchen
208 Bank St., New London, CT
Led by trombonist and composer Sean Nelson, the New London Big Band is a 17-piece jazz orchestra made up of the finest musicians in New England. The band plays a mix of classic jazz standards, upbeat dance tunes, and original music by band members, and regularly features instrumental and vocal soloists. -
Thu04Apr2024Sat06Apr2024
Connecticut Music Educators In-Service Conference
The 77th Annual CMEA In-Service Conference will be held from April 4th to 6th, 2024 at the Connecticut Convention Center.
Earl will present two workshops at the CMEA conference:
Navigating Challenges in Jazz Band Direction: Insights from UConn Jazz Faculty
Friday, April 5th, 11:30AM – 12:30PM
Capitol Room 3Keys to Nurturing Jazz Piano Brilliance
Saturday, April 6th, 9:10 – 10:10AM
Capitol Room 1Stop by the UConn Music booth and say hello!
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Wed10Apr2024
College Showcase at Black Eyed Sally's
7 - 10 PM
Black-Eyed Sally's. 350 Asylum St., Hartford, CT, 860-278-7427.
At the annual College Showcase event, student groups will perform from four neighboring jazz programs – UConn, Hartt, WCSU and URI. Each group will perform a 1/2 hour set, followed by an open jam session where they come together in musical collaboration.
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Sun14Apr2024
UConn Jazz Lab Band
3:00 - 4:30 PMvon der Mehden Recital Hall, Storrs, CT
General admission is $10.
Students, faculty, children and military members with ID are admitted free.Earl MacDonald, director
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Sun21Apr2024
UConn Jazz Ensemble
6 PMvon der Mehden Recital Hall, Storrs, CT
General admission is $10.
Students, faculty, children and military members with ID are admitted free.John Mastroianni, director
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Sun21Apr2024
UConn Jazz Combos
12 noonvon der Mehden Recital Hall, Storrs, CT
General admission is $10.
Students, faculty, children and military members with ID are admitted free.Steven Bulmer, director
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Thu25Apr2024
UConn Music "Spectrum Concert"
8:00 - 9:30 PMJorgensen Center for the Performing Arts, Storrs, CT
Thursday, April 25, at 8:00 p.m., at the Jorgenson Center for the Performing Arts, the UConn Music Department will be performing the Spectrum Concert! The Spectrum Concert will be featuring multiple ensembles such as the Percussion Ensemble, UConn Symphony Orchestra, UConn Symhponic Band, UConn Concert Choir, UConn Pep Band, and more! They will be featuring works by composers such as Robert Schumann, Gioachino Rossini, Maurice Ravel, Johann Sebastian Bach, and more! Admission is $10. Tickets can be purchased with this link below, https://jorgensen.uconn.edu/Online/default.asp -
Sat18May2024
Private Event - solo piano
12 noon - 3 PM
Old Lyme Inn, 85 Lyme Street, Old Lyme, Connecticut
Private Event at the Old Lyme Inn
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Sun19May2024
Sunday Brunch. Trio with Dave Daddario & Ken Kitchings
10:30AM - 2 PMOld Lyme Inn, 85 Lyme Street, Old Lyme, Connecticut
Sunday Brunch at the Old Lyme Inn
Earl MacDonald – piano, Dave Daddario – string bass, and Ken Kitchings – drums
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Fri14Jun2024
Scott Keo - vocalist
8PM
Foxwoods Casino. Great Cedar Showroom.
Vocalist Scott Keo, accompanied by a 10-piece band including John Mastroianni, Mike Leventhal, Renee McGee, Steve Bulmer, Tom Devino and others.
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Tue18Jun2024
Chris Beaudry Trio
5 - 7 pm
Stone Row Kitchen + Bar
948-956 Main Street, Willimantic, CT, ph: 860-423-4243.Chris Beaudry – tenor sax
Tyler Sherman – string bass
Earl MacDonald – piano -
Sun23Jun2024
Chris Beaudry Trio - Spring Hill Inn Jazz Brunch
10AM - 1PMThe Tavern at Spring Hill. Spring Hill Inn, 957 Storrs Rd, Mansfield, CT.
Call ☎️ 860-477-0239 to reserve your spot!Featuring Tyler Sherman on bass, Chris Beaudry on sax, and Earl on piano.
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Wed26Jun2024
Brenan Brothers CD Release - Edmonton
8PM
Yardbird Suite
11 Tommy Banks Way NW
Edmonton, Alberta, Canada
T6E 2M2
(780) 432-0428
CD release performance for the Brenan Brothers album, “The Valley of Silence.” Jim Brenan – tenor saxophone, Craig Brenan – trombone, David Lavoie – trumpet, Sean Craig – alto saxophone, Earl MacDonald – piano, Rubim deToledo – string bass, David Laing – drum set. -
Fri28Jun2024
Jazz at the Eden
8 - 10 pmThe Eden, 1219 9th Ave. SE, Calgary, Alberta
TD Summer Jazz Festival
Calgary, Alberta, Canada -
Sat29Jun2024
TD Calgary Jazz Festival - Late Night Jam
8 - 10 pmSandman Signature Calgary Downtown Hotel
TD Summer Jazz Festival
Jazz YYC
Calgary, Alberta, Canada -
Sun30Jun2024
Brenan Brothers CD Release - Calgary
7:30PM
Ironwood Stage and Grill
1229 9 Ave SE,
Calgary AB, Canada
T2G0S9
Phone +1 403-269-5581
ironwoodstage.caCD release performance for the Brenan Brothers album, “The Valley of Silence.” Jim Brenan – tenor saxophone, Craig Brenan – trombone, David Lavoie – trumpet, Sean Craig – alto saxophone, Earl MacDonald – piano, Jon Wielebnowski – string bass, Afo Fapujuwo – drum set. -
Fri05Jul2024
Chris Beaudry Quartet
8 - 11 PMThe Port of Call, 15 Water Street, Groton, CT, 06355
Voted 2023' BEST RESTAURANT in New London County, The Port of Call offers fine food and beverage in gorgeous Mystic, CT's shopping district. Jazz, cocktails, and dinner await you in a comfortable and chic nautical inspired bar featuring food and beverage harkening to different ports of call around the world!Reservations HIGHLY recommended!Chris Beaudry – tenor sax, Earl MacDonald – piano, Eneji Alungbe – bass, Molly Sayles – drum set
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Mon08Jul2024Fri12Jul2024
Jazz In July Summer Music Program
Fine Arts Center, University of Massachusetts, Amherst
Jazz in July is a multi-generational jazz improvisation program with an impressive 40-year history. It is a concentrated two-week program where both vocal and instrumental musicians study jazz improvisation with some of the nation’s best jazz educators and artists.The 2-week in-person program will run July 8-19, 2024. Earl will teach during the first week: July 8-12.
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Wed17Jul2024
New London Big Band
6:30 - 9:00 PMThe Social Bar + Kitchen
208 Bank St., New London, CTLed by trombonist and composer Sean Nelson, the New London Big Band is a 17-piece jazz orchestra made up of the finest musicians in New England. The band plays a mix of classic jazz standards, upbeat dance tunes, and original music by band members, and regularly features instrumental and vocal soloists. -
Fri19Jul2024
Jazz in July All-Stars Concert
6 - 9PMAmherst Town Common, Amherst, Massachusetts
The Jazz-in-July All-Stars Concert is a round-robin style concert featuring collaborations between the nationally and internationally known Jazz in July faculty members.Although subject to change, the anticipated roster of performers includes:Vocals: Sheila Jordan, Dominique Eade, Catherine Jensen Hole
Brass: Jeff Holmes, Haneef Nelson
Saxophone: Bruce Diehl, Felipe Salles, Frank Newton
Piano: Earl MacDonald, Lee Tomboulian, Stephen Page
Bass: Fumi Tomita, Avery Sharpe, Genevieve Rose
Guitar: Bob Ferrier
Drums: Steve Johns, Winard Harper, Greg CaputoThis concert is presented in cooperation with the Amherst Business Improvement District as part of their summer concert series. -
Sat20Jul2024
Dianne Mower
6 - 8 PMWind Hill Community Farm, 3006 Hebron Ave., Glastonbury, CT
Dianne Mower – vocals, Earl MacDonald – piano, Lou Bocciarelli – string bass, Tom Devino – drums* Rain date: Sunday, July 21. 6 – 8PM
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Mon22Jul2024
New London Big Band
6:00 - 7:00 PMheld in the The Thomas D. Harris IV Pavilion at Bushnell Park in Hartford, CT.
Rain site: Asylum Hill Congregational Church, HartfordLed by trombonist and composer Sean Nelson, the New London Big Band is a 17-piece jazz orchestra made up of the finest musicians in New England. The band plays a mix of classic jazz standards, upbeat dance tunes, and original music by band members, and regularly features instrumental and vocal soloists. -
Sun11Aug2024
Private Event - trio
5 - 8 PMOld Lyme Inn, 85 Lyme Street, Old Lyme, Connecticut
Private Event at the Old Lyme Inn
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Fri30Aug2024
Opening Convocation - UConn Music
1:25 - 2:25 PMvon der Mehden Recital Hall
Storrs, CTDebut performance of “Invocation.” Everett Hoagland – lyricist, Earl MacDonald – composer
Rod Nelman – bass-baritone, Earl MacDonald – piano, Colin Walters – saxophone (featured alumnus) -
Sun15Sep2024
Chris Beaudry Trio - Spring Hill Inn Jazz Brunch
10:30AM - 1:30PMThe Tavern at Spring Hill. Spring Hill Inn, 957 Storrs Rd, Mansfield, CT.
Call ☎️ 860-477-0239 to reserve your spot!Featuring Steve Bulmer on bass, Chris Beaudry on sax, and Earl on piano.
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Tue17Sep2024
Update: Earl MacDonald's Performance at "The Beat Concert" Canceled
6:30 - 9:30 PMThe Autorino Great Hall, The Bushnell Center for the Performing Arts, 166 Capitol Avenue, Hartford, CT 06106
*** IMPORTANT UPDATE: The event is still happening as planned, but due to illness, Earl’s band will no longer be performing ***The Hartford Public Library curates an annual streamable music playlist, “The Beat,” featuring a diverse range of artists. These selected artists are invited to perform at the Bushnell, each given a half-hour time slot to showcase their talents. Earl MacDonald will debut new music with his vocal chamber group, “Earl MacDonald’s Black Square Ensemble,” featuring vocalist Rod Nelman, cellist Sophie Shao, and percussionist Jonathan Barber.
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Sun22Sep2024
Colin Walters Quartet
4 - 6 PMBands On the Bluffs
Lordship Bluffs, 310 Park Blvd, Stratford, CT 06615Colin Walters – alto saxophone, Earl MacDonald – piano, Henry Lugo – string bass, Avery Gotschall – drums
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Sun06Oct2024
Chris Beaudry Trio - Spring Hill Inn Jazz Brunch
10:30AM - 1:30PMThe Tavern at Spring Hill. Spring Hill Inn, 957 Storrs Rd, Mansfield, CT.
Call ☎️ 860-477-0239 to reserve your spot!Featuring Steve Bulmer on bass, Chris Beaudry on sax, and Earl on piano.
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Sun20Oct2024
UConn Jazz Combos
3 PMvon der Mehden Recital Hall, Storrs, CT
General admission is $10.
Students, faculty, children and military members with ID are admitted free.Steven Bulmer, director
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Wed06Nov2024
New London Big Band
6:30 - 9:00 PMThe Social Bar + Kitchen
208 Bank St., New London, CTLed by trombonist and composer Sean Nelson, the New London Big Band is a 17-piece jazz orchestra made up of the finest musicians in New England. The band plays a mix of classic jazz standards, upbeat dance tunes, and original music by band members, and regularly features instrumental and vocal soloists. -
Sun10Nov2024
UConn Jazz Lab Band
3:00 - 4:30 PMvon der Mehden Recital Hall, Storrs, CT
General admission is $10.
Students, faculty, children and military members with ID are admitted free.Earl MacDonald, director
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Sun17Nov2024
UConn Jazz Ensemble
6 PMvon der Mehden Recital Hall, Storrs, CT
General admission is $10.
Students, faculty, children and military members with ID are admitted free.John Mastroianni, director
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Wed20Nov2024
Michael Farina Quartet
7 - 9 PMBlack-Eyed Sally's
350 Asylum St • Hartford, CT • 06103 • 860 278 7427 -
Fri29Nov2024
Duo with Chris Beaudry
5 - 7 pm
Kerri Art Gallery, 861 Main St, Willimantic, CT 06226, Willimantic, CT
https://www.kerriquirk.com/Chris Beaudry – tenor sax, Earl MacDonald – piano
