From Europe to South America to the United States, music has swept guitarist Ronny Smith off of his feet and directed him toward being an incredible and popular force in the contemporary jazz industry.
On Thursday, August 18th, this renowned artist will be spotlighted as part of the Branford Jazz Concert Series.
A Grammy considered artist, Ronny left the University of Maryland as music education major to pursue the life as a guitarist and a United States Army Bandsman. He toured extensively throughout the world and has shared the stage with such notables as the Marvelettes, jazz drummer Bobby Durham, and trumpeter Donald Bryd. Ronny has recorded with some of the top session musicians of the Nashville and the California scene.
Ronnie Smith

Art Sherrod Jr, national recording artist, billboard charting saxophonist and entertainer, brings forth a new energy and excitement to the stage of Smooth Jazz and Gospel Jazz. Art’s soulful and funky style will have you bobbing your head and on your feet partying like it’s 1999.
Well, Branford…… on Thursday, July 13th, starting at 6:30 p.m., the party with Art Sherrod Jr. will continue on to the town green and the Branford Jazz Series.
As a native of Palestine Texas, Art was heavily influenced by the music of his environment which ranged from Rhythm and Blues, Pop, Rock N’ Roll, Country, Rap, Hip-Hop, Gospel and of course Jazz! His love for music, entertainment, and appreciation for the arts has afforded him the opportunity to perform on stages throughout the United States and overseas.
Over the span of Art’s career, he has had the opportunity to perform at the White House as well as share the marque and/or stage with notables such as Natalie Cole, Angie Stone, CeCe Peniston, Tony Terry, Gerald Albright, Keiko Matsui, Nick Colionne, Gerald Veasley, Boney James, Eric Darius, Brian Simpson, Four80East, Paul Brown, Rick Bran, Marion Meadows, Kenny Lattimore, Howard Hewett, Phil Perry, Miki Howard, Chante Moore, Will Downing, Maysa Leak, Ann Nesby, Chuck Loeb, Sheila E, Brian Culbertson, Peter White, Alex Bugnon, Kim Waters, Jeff Kashiwa, Steve Cole, Loose Ends featuring Jane Eugene, Cuba Gooding Sr and the Main Ingredient, Norman Connors, Michael Henderson, Jean Carn, and a host of other incredible entertainers.

New York based sax player/vocalist and songwriter Paula Atherton has shared the stage with such contemporary jazz notables as The Rippingtons, Nick Colionne, Chuck Loeb, Cindy Bradley, Brian Simpson, Four80East, David Sanborn, Bob James, Marc Antoine, Hiroshima, Gerald Albright and Chieli Minucci. Paula has also worked in the traditional jazz field – one of the notable performances being a week long engagement at the Blue Note NYC with pianist and jazz legend, Hank Jones. She has also performed with Grammy award winning singer Dee Dee Bridgewater at the Annenberg Theater, for the Palm Springs Women’s Jazz Festival.

On Thursday night, August 10th she will don the Branford Town Hall Stage from 6:30-8:30 p.m. as part of the 2023 Branford Jazz Concert Series.

From the time he was 12 years old, Jay Rowe knew he wanted to be a musician.
The fact that he chose the piano as his instrument is no fluke. Jay grew up with the piano in his life. Many of his relatives took piano lessons growing up. His grandmother owned a piano, which eventually ended up in the Rowe house. He started taking lessons in the 5th grade. From then on, his musical concentration has remained focused on piano and keyboards
His focus will now transition over to the Branford Town Hall Stage as he performs on August 17th at 6:30 p.m. as part of the Branford Jazz Series.
Jay attended New England Conservatory of Music, where he became a part of the New Haven music scene, along with fellow Connecticut natives Marion Meadows and Rohn Lawrence. He formed a band that began playing as an opening act for whatever smooth and contemporary jazz acts that played in New Haven, including The Rippingtons, David Benoit, Bela Fleck, Stanley Jordan, and Jeff Lorber. When sax player Marion Meadows got his record deal and went out on the road, he took Jay with him as part of his band. Jay credits Marion and sax player Nelson Rangell for being catalysts that started his career. He has played with Angela Bofill, Phil Perry, Chieli Minucci & Special EFX, Ken Navarro, the late Wayman Tisdale, Kim Waters, Jeff Kashiwa and Steve Oliver.

Guitarist and Producer Adam Hawley has burst on to the scene as a celebrated and innovative artist, composer and band leader. Handpicked by Maurice White (founder of Earth, Wind, & Fire) he first debuted on the legend’s label Kalimba Music. In all, Adam’s four albums and work as a producer has spawned an incredible 13 Billboard #1 Hits. In its first week, the 3rd record “Escape” was the #1 Selling Album in the Nation, outselling every other contemporary jazz album as per Nielsen. The debut single went on to become the Billboard and Smooth Jazz Network Song of the Year for 2020. He followed this up with the 4th album “Risin’ Up;” its title track again reached the top of the Billboard charts in late ‘21. 2022 was particularly successful including four more #1’s, culminating with 2022 song of the year. Coupling this with a robust touring schedule throughout the world, the best is yet to come.