Baby Grand Jazz - Double Header (Doors open at 1:15pm)

Jamile Quartet followed by Rene McLean

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.

Doors open at 1pm, first concert begins at 1:15pm and the second concert to begin at 3:15pm.  

Tune in virtually on Hartford Public Library’s Facebook page, Youtube channel or HPATV.

April 26, 2026

Jamie Quartet

Jamile - Vocals

Miki Yamanaka - Piano

Simón Willson - Bass

Jamile is a vocalist and composer from Brazil based in NYC. Her versatility is evidenced in her unique repertoire, combining modern and Brazilian jazz into a sound of her own. She has three albums featuring the great Steve Wilson and opened for Rosa Passos, Ron Carter, and Kenny Barron at JALC in 2023. Jamile also collaborates with Grammy-nominated pianist Mike Holober, the latest project being This Rock We’re On: Imaginary Letters, where she was featured alongside Chris Potter and John Patitucci. She has performed at world-renowned venues, including Mezzrow, Smalls, Birdland, and Dizzy’s, and received high praise for her performances internationally. Learn More at jamilemusic.com

Rene McLean: Music of the Spirit

Born in New York City, René McLean, multi-reed instrumentalist (alto, tenor, soprano saxophones, flutes, ney, shakuhachi), composer, band leader, educator, and producer, began his musical training at the age of nine under the tutelage and guidance of his father, alto saxophonist and educator Jackie McLean. René made his debut with Jackie McLean's band in the mid-1960s and led his own bands. René McLean's debut as a band leader and producer began at the age of 16 in 1963. René McLean continued his studies with his father as well as with the Jazz Arts Society, HARYOU ACT Cultural Program under Julian Yule, Rheet Taylor, Jackie McLean and Kenny Dorham; the Clark Terry Youth Band, Jazz Mobile and later at the New York College of Music (New York University) and the University of Massachusetts. In addition he studied privately with instructors including Sonny Rollins, Frank Foster, George Coleman, Kenny Dorham, Jackie Byard, Barry Harris and Hubert Laws. René has performed and recorded as a leader and featured sideman with musicians of the Black Musical tradition, including Jackie McLean, the Dizzy Gillespie Big Band, Lionel Hampton All Stars, Tito Puente Orchestra, Horace Silver, Woody Shaw, Dr. Bill Taylor, Baba Olatunji, Hugh Masekela, Miriam Makeba, Abbey Lincoln, Dexter Gordon, James Moody, Yusef Lateef, Jaco Pastorius, Jerry Gonzales' Forte Apache Band, Hamza El Din, and in collaboration with premier poet-activist Amiri Baraka (Leroi Jones). McLean has performed, conducted workshops and lectured at numerous universities and cultural programs in the U.S. and Caribbean (including Cuba), as well as in South America, Europe, Lebanon, Japan, Indonesia, South Africa, Lesotho, Botswana, Swaziland, Namibia, Mozambique, Zimbabwe, Madagascar and Mauritius. From 1970 to 1973, he was bandmaster for the N.Y. State N.A.C.C. Melrose Community Center in the South Bronx. From 1984-85 René was Artist-in-Residence at the University of Hartford's the Hartt School, Department of African American Music. Since 1985 McLean has been living in South Africa, where he has been performing, teaching and researching musical traditions. As consultant to the Mmabana Cultural Center he developed the foundation for the Center's music program and curriculum, subsequently heading the music program from 1987 to 1990. From 1991 to 1992 he was a visiting member of the New School Jazz program. From 1994 to 1998 McLean was a Lecturer in Jazz Studies at the University of Cape Town. McLean is Professor of African-American music on the faculty of the Jackie McLean Institute at the Hartt School, University of Hartford. He is also the Master Artist-in-Residence of Music at the Artists Collective in Hartford, Conn. He has been the recipient of several National Endowment for the Arts grants and fellowship awards, including the prestigious Creative Artist Fellowship by the Japan-U.S. Friendship Commission and the National Endowment for the Arts to reside in Japan to research traditional Japanese music culture, and to perform and teach. He has also spent time researching musical traditions and performing in Bali, Indonesia. René McLean draws inspiration and insight from the rich diversity of the African-American tradition and various world music genres, with particular emphasis on Eastern and African traditions. He defines his music as "transcending socio-political and cultural boundaries - it's a universal language.”

Rene McLean- saxophones/flutes

Hubert Eaves III- piano

Winard Harper- drums

Josh Evans- trumpet

Antoine Roney- saxophone

Matt Dwonszyk- bass

Baba Neil Clarke -percussion