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The concert that takes place in July is called Ramon Santiago’s Salsa Meets Jazz Festival because, in many ways, Santiago’s influence is still as strong now as it was in his day.
According to Matt Chasen, who has been tasked with leading the event after Santiago’s death in 2019, Ray was the epitome of what I call a Hartford leyenda.
Santiago, my father and the founder of Salsa Meets Jazz in 2011, was born and raised in Hartford, in the historic Charter Oak complex.
Now, [the complex] appears very different from how it was during Ray’s ni ez, se al Chasen. De ni o, was exposed to music in a variety of ways and formed several bands with three or four childhood friends during adolescence.
Santiago was self-taught, and his personality was reflected in his music, which represented both his generation and his Puerto Rican culture.
Ray was a girl from the 1970s, and her influences were as diverse as the salsa cl sica, ranging from Henry Lavoe and Eddie Palmieri to James Brown, Parliament, and Funkadelic, according to Chasen. Jazz greats including Miles Davis, John Coltrane, and Charlie Parker are included.
Lastly, Santiago funded the local salsa-jazz ensemble Orquesta Espada, which performed all over the coast for the next three consecutive years. This group was responsible for starting the festival in Hartford, which was focused on their discography and musical genre.
Ahora en su decimocuarto an o, la orquesta tiene logrado capturar an un artista de renombre: Zaccai Curtis, natural de Connecticut, quien acaba di ganar el premio Grammy al Mejor lbum de Jazz Latino 2025 por Cubop Lives! .
Even though Zaccai won a Grammy and can perform anywhere in the world, when he was contacted by the principals of this or invited to perform, his first response was, “I guess you know me,” said Chasen.
In addition to Curtis, the event features participation from his father, Damian Curtis, as well as percussionist Nelson Bello and trombonist Emmett Goods, among others. Thanks to the support of Santiago’s family, the Community Center, and the Parkville Mayors, the concert is free. Additionally, it takes place at a well-known location right in front of the Connecticut State Capitol.
Bushnell Park never fails to amaze, as it is literally the meeting place of all Hartford’s paths, according to Chasen. Additionally, having the state capitol is amazing. Additionally, the ease of access to Union Station for those traveling by train or automobile. In other words, it has everything that a person might want.
Accessibility was a top priority for Chasen during the festival’s planning process.
Chasen learned music in school at the Cooperative Arts and Humanities High School in New Haven. Events like these give the J venes a complementary education that frequently inspires them to devote themselves to the arts, which also influences them while they were adolescents learning how to play the saxophone.
“What made the music so tangible to me was being able to see people who were masters of their craft,” says Chasen. When you participate in your own creative process as a member of the public, artist, or impartial observer, you truly have a greater impact.
For the avoidance of doubt, the festival will be directed towards music lovers. Punto.
M. S. information
The Jazz Meets Jazz performances will take place on July 26 from 2:00 to 6:00 p.m. at the Pavilion on Thomas D. Harris IV, located in Hartford’s Bushnell Park.
