Home » Jazz Articles » In Pictures » Tilles Jazz Festival 2024

Tilles Jazz Festival 2024

By Dan Bilawsky
July 29, 2024
View read count

Tilles Center, nestled within Long Island University's Post campus in Brookville, New York, has long been committed to promoting, supporting and programming jazz. But this well-regarded venue took things to an entirely different level with its inaugural jazz festival on July 20, 2024. Working in collaboration with Jazz at Lincoln Center, Tilles put together an event to remember, hosting more than 70 musicians spread out across four stages.

Long Island University students offered sounds of welcome as the day began. Rising star vocalist

Georgia Heers

vocals

" data-original-title="" title="">Georgia Heers officially kicked off the festivities and captivated with a broad grasp of the tradition. And vibraphonist

Jalen Baker

vibraphone

" data-original-title="" title="">Jalen Baker's intimate duo came next, running opposite a pair of high school large ensembles representing both of Long Island's counties—Elmont's Global Jazz Orchestra and the Harborfields High School Jazz Band.

Matt Wilson

drums
b.1964

" data-original-title="" title="">Matt Wilson's Good Trouble, with saxophonists

Tia Fuller

saxophone

" data-original-title="" title="">Tia Fuller and

Jeff Lederer

woodwinds

" data-original-title="" title="">Jeff Lederer, pianist

Dawn Clement

piano

" data-original-title="" title="">Dawn Clement and bassist

Mimi Jones

bass

" data-original-title="" title="">Mimi Jones, elevated the proceedings and created community via sunny thoughts, social activism and swing. Trombonist

Mariel Bildsten

trombone

" data-original-title="" title="">Mariel Bildsten's outfit and harpist

Brandee Younger

harp
b.1983

" data-original-title="" title="">Brandee Younger's duo played parallel sets in neighboring spaces, making it easy to walk from one to the other and catch a portion of each. And pianist

Sean Mason

trumpet
b.1987

" data-original-title="" title="">Sean Mason's quartet moved with modernism and soulful grooves.

A second line parade, with brass and beats aplenty, brought the crowd to its feet, drawing enthusiastic audience participation and closing the outdoor event(s). But that didn't mark the conclusion of the festival. Saxophonist

Branford Marsalis

saxophone
b.1960

" data-original-title="" title="">Branford Marsalis' celebrated quartet—a longstanding group featuring

Joey Calderazzo

piano
b.1965

" data-original-title="" title="">Joey Calderazzo,

Eric Revis

bass
b.1967

" data-original-title="" title="">Eric Revis and

Justin Faulkner

drums

" data-original-title="" title="">Justin Faulkner—headlined and had audience members in the Krasnoff Theater on the edge of their seats. The band earned rave responses at the conclusion of the concert proper and after its

Duke Ellington

piano
1899 - 1974

" data-original-title="" title="">Duke Ellington twofer encore. Tilles Center Executive and Artistic Director Tom Dunn noted that his goal was to make this entire festival appealing to both hardcore jazz fans and the casual/curious listeners, and he most definitely hit that mark. This writer, who had the pleasure of directing the Harborfields High School Jazz Band in its performance that day, soaked in as much music as possible...and used the opportunity to capture some images to commemorate the first of what promises to be an annual event. View Slideshow