Hartford Public Library’s highly popular Baby Grand Jazz series is back for its 21st season in 2025; with a spectacular line-up of the best jazz musicians in the region.
March 2, 2025 - Leala Cyr
Leala Cyr is fast becoming one of the most sought-after jazz vocalists of her generation. A rare “double threat,” Cyr complements her impeccable vocals with a warm, golden tone on the trumpet. As a touring member of Esperanza Spalding’s “Radio Music and Chamber Music Societies,” she has performed around the world and has appeared on The Late Show,The
Tonight Show, The View, The Daily Show, Jimmy Kimmel Live, Austin City Limits, and more. In February 2019, Cyr released her debut album, First Instinct. A blend of originals and standards, the album showcases her unique talent for vocal improvisation as well as her ingenuity as a songwriter and arranger. Leala has appeared with her own group at highly regarded venues such as Cornelia Street Café, National Sawdust, Zinc Bar, and Rockwood Music Hall in New York City; Ryles Jazz Club, the Bee Hive, and the Beat Brew Hall in Boston; the Egg in Albany, NY; the Blue Opus in Green Bay, WI; and at the Baby Grand Jazz Series and Paul Brown Monday Night Jazz in Hartford, CT. Her collaborations range from membership in Jody Redhage Ferber’s group Rose and the Nightingale to an upcoming album with Milton Nascimento, Ricardo Vogt, and Pedro Bernardo. Over the years, Leala has shared the stage with the likes of Milton Nascimento (in front of 100,000 people at “Rock in Rio”), Terri Lyne Carrington, Ivan Lins, Gretchen Parlato, Nicole Zuraitis, Jamey Haddad, Jeff “Tain” Watts, James Genus, Paul Winter, Guinga, Tia Fuller, Darmon Meader, and Ray Angry. Highlights from Cyr’s college and high school days include being named Down Beat Magazine’s 2005 “Best Jazz Vocalist” in the college division, receiving the World Tour Scholarship to study at the Berklee College of Music in Boston, and performing with her high school jazz band at the prestigious Essentially Ellington Competition at Lincoln Center in NYC. A native of Pulaski, WI, Leala now resides in Connecticut where she is actively involved in a number of music scenes and is adjunct faculty at the Hartt School of Music
Leala Cyr - Voice/Trumpet
Jen Allen - Piano
Ben Bilello - Drums
Will Goble - Bass
Dan Blake - Sax
Tune in virtually on Hartford Public Library’s Facebook page and Youtube channel or HPATV’s Education Channel.
Mon, Jan 06 | 9:30AM to 6:00PM |
Tue, Jan 07 | 9:30AM to 6:00PM |
Wed, Jan 08 | 9:30AM to 6:00PM |
Thu, Jan 09 | 9:30AM to 6:00PM |
Fri, Jan 10 | 9:30AM to 5:00PM |
Sat, Jan 11 | 9:00AM to 5:00PM |
Sun, Jan 12 | 1:00PM to 5:00PM |
Hartford Public Library’s history spans more than 235 years. We can trace its very beginnings to the Library Company, formally organized in 1774 by a few subscribers to purchase a "collection of useful and religious books". And now, the library is a national leader in redefining the urban public library in the 21st century as an innovative and stimulating place where people can learn and discover, explore their passions, and find a rich array of resources that contribute to a full life.
LOCATIONS & HOURS
500 Main Street
Hartford, CT 06103
860-695-6300
Downtown Library
Monday - Thursday: 9:30 a.m. - 6:00 p.m.
Friday: 9:30 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.
Saturday: 9:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.
Sunday: 1:00 p.m. - 5:00 p.m.
NEED HELP?
Phone: (860) 695-6300
Email: reference@hplct .org
Institute of Museum and Library Services