DANBURY, Connecticut — Western Connecticut State University will host its 29th Annual Jazz Fest from April 30 – May 2, 2026, at the Veronica Hagman Concert Hall in the university’s Visual and Performing Arts Center (VPAC), 43 Lake Ave. Extension, Danbury. The events are open to the public and advance tickets are available at www.wcsuvpac.eventbrite.com/.
The 2026 WCSU Jazz Fest kicks off on Thursday, April 30, featuring the Jazz Combos, Vocal Jazz, and Jazz Ensemble from 7 to 9 p.m. in the Veronica Hagman Concert Hall in the Visual and Performing Arts Center on the Westside campus. Advance ticket purchases made online are $15 plus fees; tickets purchased at the door are $20. Get tickets at www.eventbrite.com/e/29th-annual-jazz-fest-featuring-vocal-jazz-jazz-combos-jazz-ensemble-tickets-1984623186375.
Vibraphonist Steve Nelson will perform with the WCSU Jazz Orchestra beginning at 7 p.m. on Friday, May 1. Tickets are $15 plus fees online, or $20 at the door. Get tickets at www.eventbrite.com/e/29th-annual-jazz-fest-featuring-wcsu-jazz-orchestra-with-guest-tbd-tickets-1984622425098
Nelson’s bio states, “In a career spanning five decades, Steve has distinguished himself by making consequential contributions to the improvisatory development of his instrument, as well as the tradition of jazz. … Recognized for his inventive and fluidly harmonic approach and chromatic quality, Steve is acknowledged as one of the pre-eminent modernist vibraphone and marimba players. He has appeared on numerous recordings and performed at concert venues and festivals worldwide including Carnegie Hall, Jazz at the Lincoln Center, JVC Jazz Festival, Montreux Jazz Festival, Montreal International Jazz Festival, Newport Jazz Festival, Netherlands International Jazz Festival, Village Vanguard, and festivals across Asia and Australia. He has over a dozen original recordings as a bandleader, and has lent a distinct compositional signature to several albums of legendary bandleaders. Steve is currently a member of 2025 Grammy Nominated Kenny Barron Quartet.”
Saturday, May 2, will feature a 7 p.m. performance by the Emmet Cohen Trio, sponsored by Earl and Irene Hagman. Tickets for the Emmet Cohen Trio are $20 plus fees in advance and $30 at the door. Get tickets at www.eventbrite.com/e/29th-annual-jazz-fest-featuring-the-emmet-cohen-trio-tickets-1984625297690.
According to his bio, “Emmet Cohen is a multifaceted American jazz pianist, composer, and bandleader at the vanguard of his generation’s advancement of the music and its related arts. Widely recognized for his virtuosity, deep swing, and commitment to intergenerational continuity, Cohen has emerged as a central figure in contemporary jazz—honoring its lineage while actively shaping its future. A recognized prodigy, Cohen began Suzuki-method piano instruction at age three and quickly developed a musical voice marked by clarity, elegance, and intensity. His artistry has drawn praise across the jazz world; All About Jazz observed that ‘[Cohen is] not just the poster man for contemporary jazz… but a supremely gifted and impassioned artist of the highest order,’ while legendary saxophonist Benny Golson once remarked that Cohen ‘has a lot to say.’
Cohen’s website states that the heart of his work is the belief that jazz is fundamentally about communication and connection — between musicians, audiences, and the generations that carry the music forward. “That philosophy found a defining expression during the 2020 lockdown, when Cohen created Live From Emmet’s Place, a weekly livestream series broadcast from his Harlem apartment. Evoking the spirit of historic rent parties while employing sophisticated modern production, the series quickly became a global gathering place for artists and listeners alike, setting a new standard for live internet jazz performance. Across platforms, Emmet’s Place has garnered over 100 million views.”
Cohen’s releases include “Future Stride” (2021), “Uptown in Orbit” (2022), “Vibe Provider” (2024), and “Universal Truth” (2026). These recordings, his biography said, trace a distinctive artistic arc — combining stride, swing, bebop, and modern jazz to create a unique and deeply personal aesthetic. “The release of ‘Universal Truth’ coincides with the launch of a year-long quintet tour celebrating the centennial birthdays of Miles Davis and John Coltrane. A Mack Avenue recording artist, Cohen has performed in more than 40 countries and appeared at many of the world’s most respected venues and festivals, including the Village Vanguard, Birdland, Carnegie Hall, the Newport Jazz Festival, and the Monterey Jazz Festival. He has also participated in International Jazz Day celebrations led by Herbie Hancock, a worldwide broadcast underscoring Cohen’s global presence within the art form.”
Cohen’s honors include winning the 2019 American Piano Awards and being named DownBeat Readers Poll Pianist of the Year (2025). In 2023, the Jazz Journalists Association bestowed two awards upon him: Pianist of the Year and Livestream Producer of the Year.
Western Connecticut State University is an accredited institutional member of the National Association of Schools of Music. WCSU’s Department of Music is part of the School of Visual, Performing, and Communication Arts, and offers a range of the highest quality academic, artistic, pre-professional and professional programming within a liberal arts environment. Additionally, it supports and fosters an environment conducive to the professional and artistic growth of faculty and students, and ensures students’ success by meeting their needs in advising, mentoring and professional development. The university offers several bachelor’s and master’s degrees in music, performance and education. Go to www.wcsu.edu/music/degrees for more information.
The program is housed in the Visual and Performing Arts Center, a state-of-the art, all-in-one facility that hosts a multitude of dynamic spaces to accommodate the needs of artists across all disciplines. The versatile facilities include the Veronica Hagman Concert Hall, MainStage Theatre, the Art Gallery, Recording Studio, Music Technology Lab, Electronic Music Workshop, Studio Theatre, Scene Shop, Dressing Rooms and Sculpture, Photography, Graphic Design and Art Studios including the M.F.A. Studios. For a list of public events, go to www.wcsu.edu/svpa/events/.
For more information, call the VPAC Box Office at (203) 837-8732.
Western Connecticut State University changes lives by providing all students with a high-quality education that fosters their growth as individuals, scholars, professionals, and leaders in a global society. Our vision: To be widely recognized as a premier public university with outstanding teachers and scholars who prepare students to contribute to the world in a meaningful way.