Saxophonist, song writer and teaching artist Mike Casey brings his unique blend of upbeat, accessible, original music and exciting arrangements of jazz standards to the Simsbury Public Library. Owen McNally of WNPR describes Mike’s music as a ‘uniquely original brand of glorious saxophone madness and gladness, well-honed, accessible, and joyful.’ Mike is a graduate of the acclaimed Jackie McLean Institute of Jazz at the Hartt School. Nominated for ‘Best Jazz” in the CT Music Awards, Mike has performed and delighted a wide range of audiences throughout the Northeast, sharing the stage with some of the finest jazz artists in the world. In early 2015, Mike was one of 24 young jazz musicians/composers worldwide selected to participate in the prestigious ‘Betty Carter Jazz Ahead” program at the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts in Washington, D.C. Mike has performed at well-respected venues & festivals throughout the region.

During the past 30 years, Nat Reeves has been one of the top bassists in jazz. His supportive and stimulating playing has uplifted a countless number of sessions and recording dates (most notably with the great altoists Jackie McLean and Kenny Garrett) and he has led his own CD State of Emergency. Both as a performer and an educator, he has made a strong impact on the jazz world.

During the past year, Nat Reeves has traveled the world including performing in India and Japan, at the San Francisco, New Orleans, Detroit and Atlanta Jazz Festivals, and with Pharoah Sanders at Dizzy’s at Lincoln Center.

Committed to carrying on Jackie McLean’s legacy at The Hartt School, Nat also looks forward to leading more recordings in the future and, in addition to playing with many of his favorite musicians, to work more often as a leader, ‘I’m still busy after moving to Hartford. Now at 61, it is time do more of my own projects.”

Registration is suggested.