Hot & Cool Jazz: The Jerry Bergonzi / Alan Bartus Duo

Wilton Library is proud to present the Jerry Bergonzi / Alan Bartus Duo with Jerry Bergonzi on sax and Alan Bartus on piano. This duo will present their original music along with American Songbook jazz standards. The collaboration between the artists began in Europe, where they performed several tours across different countries. Their unique sound creates a shapable musical process with a message whose goal is to deliver it to the listener. Each artist is given space both as a composer and as an interpreter in this duo format.

Jerry Bergonzi is a tenor saxophonist, composer, author and educator who was introduced to the world of jazz by one of its legends Dave Brubeck. In the 1970s, he toured with the Two Generations of Brubeck band that featured Dave and the three Brubeck sons: Darius, Chris, and Dan. Later in that decade, he also held the sax chair in the Dave Brubeck Quartet. On the faculty of the New England Conservatory for the last 20 years, Jerry teaches improvisation in ensemble settings as well as one-on-one. He still plays two weekly gigs in the Boston area and tours 130 days a year playing his own music.

Alan Bartus is among the top 10 jazz pianists of his generation, having been a 2023 finalist in the world's most prestigious competition: the Herbie Hancock Institute of Jazz International Jazz Competition. Born in 2001 in Slovakia, Alan comes from a family of musicians (his father, Stefan, is a renowned jazz artist). Studying the piano from the age of 4, he progressed rapidly and participated in several significant music festivals and competitions before the age of 16. He has recorded as a leader and a sideman and most recently has been touring with the Lukas Oravec Quartet featuring Jerry Bergonzi. Among his many awards, Alan received the 2024 Dave Brubeck Composer and Pianist Award.

Hot & Cool Jazz is brought to you by the generosity of the Estate of James (Tom) and Alice Brown. Special thanks to Chris & Tish Brubeck. 

Advance registration strongly recommended. Register online or call 203-762-6334. Reception following the concert. Suggested donation: $10: online donations can be made here. With our new registration system, you can sign up two attendees at the same time but they still need to be entered individually; please click on "Add Another" to register the second name. Pre-registrants should arrive by 6:50pm to be guaranteed seating; wait-listed and walk-in registrants will be admitted after 6:50pm if space is available.  Wilton Library, 137 Old Ridgefield Road, Wilton, CT www.wiltonlibrary.org