2024 Schedule

For as long as he can recall, New London Big Band leader, Sean Nelson, envisioned the day that he wanted to lead an epic jazz orchestra of 17 –plus musicians. A band that would play music old and new- ranging from the Roaring 20s to brand new compositions written by members of the group.
Well, the vision became a reality in the summer of 2016 when after he and a buddy saw a new place opening looking for music entertainment, Nelson called around looking for the best musicians he knew and the New London Big Band was formed.
On July 11th, Sean and his New London Big Band will return for another Branford Jazz Series appearance on Thursday, July 11 at 6:30 p.m. on the Branford Town Green.
Led by trombonist and composer Nelson, the 17 piece jazz orchestra plays a mix of classic jazz standards, upbeat dance tunes and original music by band members, and regularly features instrumental and vocal soloists. They play monthly to sold out crowds at the Social Bar +Kitchen in New London. Thanks to their local fan base, the band won “Best Jazz Band” for CTNOW’s Best of Hartford. The band is comprised of five saxophones, four trumpets, four trombones, a piano, guitar, upright bass and a drummer.

Flautist Sherry Winston to Perform Branford Jazz Series on July 25

Known for her combination of eloquent taste and value of playing melodically, flautist Sherry Winston has achieved success in the music and business industries. Now on July 25th, she will display her exemplary musical attributes as part of the 2024 Branford Jazz Series.
A graduate of Howard University’s College of Fine Arts, School of Music and a member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Sherry has been awarded the Connecticut Women’s Hall of Fame Award, “women of Power” through the Stamford Urban League, the Links “Impact Through the Arts” Award (2017), the Louis Armstrong Award (2005), nomination for the NAACP “Image Award” (1989), the “Eubie Blake Award” selected by Billy Taylor (1991), the “Howard University Alumni Award (1984, 1989), the Cultural Achievement Award by the National Black MBA (1996), WBLS’s “Quiet Storm Award”, and Alpha Kappa Alpha’s “Partner in the Arts Award” in 2001.
Sherry performed at The White House for President and Mrs. Clinton and for President George H.W. Bush at the Waldorf Astoria Hotel in New York City. She has appeared on “Emeril Live”, The Today Show, BET, and many other TV shows nationally. She hosted six shows for BET TV, with Lou Rawls and Saxophonist Najee at the San Francisco Jazz Festival. Sherry has been featured in the New York Times, Ebony. Black Enterprise, Odyssey Couleur, More and other national magazines and newspapers.

Saxophonist David Davis to be Featured on the Branford Jazz Series August 8.
From the New Haven county of West Haven, Connecticut, to the prestigious venues of Hong Kong, Beijing, and Shanghai, China, David Davis is a world-renowned master of music whose talent and creativity have taken him around the globe and established himself as an internationally acclaimed saxophonist and multi-instrumentalist.
On Thursday night, August 8th, starting at 6:30 p.m. on the Branford Town Green, Davis will grasp the ears of all Branford Jazz Concert Series followers as he performs his warm, soulful, and contagious jazz sounds.