Bill Cunliffe Trio performs for Hot & Cool Jazz Concert at Wilton Library July 21

As the temperatures soar for the fourth heat wave of the summer, cool jazz will chill the air when the Bill Cunliffe Trio performs for Wilton Library’s Hot & Cool: Jazz at the Brubeck Room concert on Saturday, July 21 beginning at 7:30 p.m.  Bassist Todd Coolman and drummer Tim Horner will be joining Mr. Cunliffe on the Brubeck Room stage.

Winner of DownBeat and Thelonious Monk International Jazz Piano awards, Bill Cunliffe has performed with jazz greats such as Buddy Rich, Ray Brown, Joe Henderson, Freddie Hubbard, and Art Farmer. The Grammy-nominated composer’s arrangements have been performed by the Cincinnati Pops Orchestra, the Illinois Philharmonic, and the Henry Mancini Institute Orchestra. He received his master’s degree from the Eastman School of Music. Recent releases include Transformation with James Walker and the All Saints Choir and The Blues and the Abstract Truth, Take Two.

A Grammy Award winner who teamed with Joe Henderson on the CD Lexicon, Todd Coolman has performed and recorded with a “who's who” of jazz artists—Horace Silver, Gerry Mulligan, Stan Getz, Renee Rosnes, Benny Golson, Art Farmer, Tommy Flanagan, Lionel Hampton, Benny Goodman, James Moody, Ahmad Jamal, and Slide Hampton. As Director of Jazz Studies at SUNY Purchase, with a Ph.D. in music from New York University, Coolman works worldwide as a clinician and lecturer. He is a recipient of the State University of New York Chancellor's Award for Excellence in Teaching. Recent recordings include Our Delight with Hank Jones and James Moody and Perfect Strangers, an ArtistShare project.

Tim Horner returns to Wilton Library, having accompanied Tamir Hendelman in January of this year.  Mr. Horner has offered his experience, knowledge and skills as one of New York's most sought after jazz drummers for 26 years. He is a graduate of the Berklee College of Music in Boston and studied percussion with Dean Anderson, drums with Keith Copeland and drumming concepts with bassist Miroslav Vitous.

An informal reception follows the concert where attendees can mingle with the artists. CDs will be available for purchase and signing. A donation of $10 per person is suggested to help offset the cost of other library programs.  The Hot & Cool concerts are funded by William and Karen Tell Foundation with special thanks to Ed and Catherine Romer and Chris & Tish Brubeck. Advance registration is strongly suggested due to the popularity of the series. Pre-registrants should arrive by 7:20 p.m. to be guaranteed seating; wait-listed and walk-in registrants will be admitted after 7:20 if space is available.  

For information, registration and directions, visit www.wiltonlibrary.org or call 203-762-3950, ext. 213.  Wilton Library is located at 137 Old Ridgefield Road in the heart of Wilton Center.