Baby Grand Jazz

Tyler Sherman and Friends

Hartford Public Library’s highly popular Baby Grand Jazz series is back for its 22nd season in 2026; with a spectacular line-up of the best jazz musicians in the region.

Enjoy every Sunday at 3:00PM from January 4th through April 26th. Tune in virtually on Hartford Public Library’s Facebook page, Youtube channel or HPATV.

April 19, 2026 Tyler Sherman and Friends

Bassist and Composer Tyler Sherman began his musical journey at age four playing on the family piano at home and sitting in wonder in front of the living room stereo speakers. A Connecticut native, he attended the Greater Hartford Academy of the Arts under the guidance of master bassist Dave Santoro and Hartford legend Paul “PB” Brown. His path continued to the Berklee College of Music and then eventually to the Vermont College of Fine Arts where he received his Master’s degree in Music Composition. Tyler is a student of the legendary bassist and Jazz icon Ron Carter. As as sideman, Tyler has performed with artists in a diversity of genres including the Impressions, Dave Hollister, DJ D-Nice, Faith Evans, Shirley Murdock, Kem, EPMD, Too $hort, Digable Planets, MC Lyte, Jadakiss, Letoya Lucket, Shanice, Tracey Spencer, Israel Houghton, The Revive Orchestra, Gary Smuylan and many more. As a composer and arranger, Tyler received a commission in 2019 from the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts in Washington, DC to compose and arrange a Tribute to Marvin Gaye, featuring vocalist Cecily Bumbray and musicians of the National Symphony Orchestra. Tyler’s string arrangement on Issa Bibbins’ “Undiagnosed” was a recipient of the USA Songwriting Competition prize for best Urban Song. In 2013, Tyler released a Christmas suite for string sextet entitled Season of Hope, Season of Peace. His arrangements have also been performed and recorded by many other artists as well, including Grammy nominated and Downbeat acclaimed vocalist Christie Dashiell and Grammy nominated violinist Chelsey Green. Tyler is currently collaborating with his lovely wife Maya Rogers Sherman on the accompanying score for her children’s book “Orion and the Remembering Tree”, due out for release in 2026 as well looking forward his original composition “A Madrugada” being released on the upcoming project of Grammy and Emmy award winning artist Adam Blackstone. Tyler also currently leads his own ensemble performing his original compositions. His music is created on inspiration drawn from the many masters of the tradition such as Wayne Shorter, Bennie Golson, Roy Hargrove and Brian Blade, to name a few.

Tyler Sherman-Bass

Maya Sherman-Vocals

Dakota Austin- Alto Saxophone

Nathan Edwards- Tenor Saxophone

Keenan Asbridge- Trumpet

LeAndra McPhatter-

Piano Jonathan Barber- Drums