18-time-Grammy-winning Count Basie Orchestra to Headline Pittsfield CityJazz Fest
Pittsfield will be swinging for over a month with some of the best jazz in the world.
The Legendary Count Basie Orchestra.
The Legendary Count Basie Orchestra will headline the 19th annual Pittsfield CityJazz Festival this year, bringing their timeless energy to the Colonial Theatre on Saturday, May 3. Under the direction of Scotty Barnhart, the orchestra continues to set the standard in jazz, recently earning their 18th Grammy Award for Basie Swings The Blues in 2024.
The evening will open with a performance by the Berkshires Jazz All Star Youth Ensemble, showcasing the future of the regional musicianship.
The festival itself kicks off on Thursday, April 24, with an open jam session at Dottie's Coffee Lounge, led by pianist Dave Bartley. The following evening, April 25, the annual Jazz Crawl will animate various venues throughout the Upstreet Cultural District, featuring local artists in restaurants and lounges, culminating with a dance set at Wander Berkshires, a new event space at 34 Depot Street.
On Saturday, April 26, "An Evening with Ben Kohn" will take place at Wander Berkshires, where the esteemed keyboard artist and his trio, along with special guests, will perform in a cabaret setting. The weekend concludes on Sunday, April 27, with a jazz brunch at Dottie's Coffee Lounge on North Street.
In celebration of International Jazz Day on Wednesday, April 30, the festival presents the Jazz Prodigy Concert at the Berkshire Athenaeum. This free event features bassist Esteban Ruiz, a high school student discovered at the Litchfield Jazz Camp, accompanied by Ben Kohn on piano and Conor Meehan on drums.
The headline weekend begins on Friday, May 2, with a performance by vocalist Dawning Holmes at the St. Germain Stage of Barrington Stage Company. Holmes will be joined by Grammy-winning pianist and trumpeter Jeff Holmes and special guest bassist Avery Sharpe.
The festival concludes on Sunday, May 4, with another jazz brunch at Dottie's Coffee Lounge, providing a relaxed setting to reflect on the week's performances.
Supported by lead sponsor Pittsfield Cooperative Bank and grants from The Feigenbaum Foundation, the Lewis-Moulin Family Trust, and other donors, the Pittsfield CityJazz Festival underscores the city's commitment to the arts. By featuring both local and touring artists, the event fosters a dynamic cultural exchange, enriching the community's artistic landscape.
For detailed event information and ticket purchases, visit Berkshires Jazz's official website.
