Kenny Wessel, known throughout the world for his adventurous solo voice, unrelenting swing, and sensitive accompaniment skills, has become an audience favorite here in Westport. Ken is also very interested in creating and investigating points of intersection between jazz and Indian music and has performed and recorded with musicians from various parts of the globe. He has performed in 27 countries at major jazz festivals, concert halls and been in radio and television appearances.  Kenny Wessel is the rare blend of tradition and fiery innovation!

Born and raised in Belgrade, Serbia, guitarist and composer Rale Micic (pron. Rah-Leh Mee-chee-ch) skillfully fuses culture with timeless jazz. Rale is CTA Records recording artist and has been featured in numerous publications including Downbeat, JazzTimes, LA Times, San Diego Tribune, Boston Globe, etc. He has performed at prominent jazz clubs and music festivals in US and Europe including Catalina Jazz Club, Blues Alley, Village Vanguard, Scullers Jazz Club, Dizzy’s, San Jose Jazz Festival, Hartford International Jazz Festival, etc.

Considered one of the top bassists in jazz today, Essiet Essiet first received critical acclaim over a decade ago in Bobby Watson's group Horizon. Born in Nebraska to Nigerian parents, he began studying violin at age10 and switched to bass viol at 14. As a child, he traveled widely with his family and that early exposure to many cultures, folk- ways, languages, and religions fostered his world view of strength through diversity. 

Some musicians are purists, says Essiet, but I like to mix styles. Essiet was Art Blakey's last bassist, playing with him for 2 years and on 3 CDs. He's also performed with Freddie Hubbard, Cedar Walton, Benny Golson, and the Blue Note All-Stars, to name a few. Essiet also leads IBO, a Nigerian jazz project.

Saxophonist Greg Wall has performed and recorded with Hasidic New Wave ,Greg Wall’s Later Prophets , Zion80, The Wall/London Band, Neshama Carlebach, the Hi-Tops, Greg Wall’s Unity Orchestra, and has made many session appearances for record dates and film scores.

He was the musical voice of James Earl Jones in the feature film “On the QT”. Writing in Jazz Forum magazine Robert Buczek said, “Wall plays incredibly; his improvisations are well constructed and convincing.” The Cleveland Plain Dealer adds, “He plays with a consistent power and imagination.”  His critically acclaimed release, “From the Belly of Abraham”, with Hasidic New Wave and Senegalese master drummers Yakar Rhythms was named one of the ten best CD’s of 2002 by Jazz Times magazine.

Greg moved to Westport, CT in 2013 to become the rabbi of Beit Chaverim Synagogue. Since then he has been a founding board member of the Jazz Society of Fairfield County (JazzFC) where he serves as President and Artistic Director. Greg has curated a weekly Westport based Jazz series since 2015, performing weekly with a rotating lineup of internationally acclaimed NYC based and touring Jazz artists.