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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 23, 2025 - Jonathan Suazo
Jonathan Suazo is an award-winning saxophonist / composer / cultural advocate and educator who also leads his own project entitled RICANO, a unique Afro Caribbean Jazz concept that blends the sounds of Puerto Rico and Dominican Republic. Jonathan was named one of the top ten emerging Jazz artists of 2023 by the GRAMMYS and his debut album “Ricano” (Ropeadope Records) was listed at #6 in the best Jazz albums of 2023 by The New York Times. A Berklee Global Jazz Institute graduate, he’s received many honors including the 2024 Chamber Music America New Jazz Works Grant, The WBUR Makers Series Award for generating impact in the Boston's community, The Winter 2023 South Arts Jazz Road Tours Grant, the 2023 New Music USA Creator Fund Grant, A full tuition Scholarship to attend the Berklee Global Jazz Institute Masters Program, The Project Support Grant for Program Alumni by the Fundación Banco Popular for his Ricano album, and the Berklee Urban Service Award for using the arts to support humanitarianism. In connection with his Ricano project, Jonathan has become an ally of several organizations like Puerto Rican Arts Alliance, Segundo Ruiz Belvis Cultural Center, Escuela Libre de Música San Juan, Conservatorio de Música de Puerto Rico, El Instituto de Cultura Puertorriqueña, Fundación Banco Popular, and Music Project to impact more that 600 student since 2023. Catalina Maria Johnson of Downbeat Jazz Mag describes his music as “a soundscape propelled by lyrical sax playing” and Giovanni Rusonnello from the New York Times describes his music as “richly built, written from the heart and packed with complexity, always seeking the next level of altitude.” Suazo’s resume includes collaborations / performances with Miguel Zenón, Terri Lyne Carrington, David Sánchez, Charlie Sepúlveda, Gonzalo Grau, Danilo Perez, Ricky Rodriguez, Ileana Cabra (iLÉ), Calma Carmona, Rakalam Bob Moses, Joe Lovano, Paoli Mejias, Humberto Ramirez, David Rivera, Tito Matos, Ricardo Pons, William Cepeda, Jon Secada, Pedro Capó, Obie Bermudez, Hans Glawischnig, Humberto Ramirez, Silverio Perez, Tony Escapa.
Jonathan Suazo - Alto Sax
Jose Soto - Piano
Juan Maldonado - Bass
Ivanna Cuesta - Drums
David Rosado - Percussion
Amaury Cabral - Guitar
Tune in virtually on Hartford Public Library’s Facebook page and Youtube channel or HPATV’s Education Channel.
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.
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