Manchester – The First Annual BSBI Jazz Festival will be held at Cheney Hall in Manchester, Thursday, Oct. 13 through Sunday, Oct. 16. The festival is sponsored by Beth Sholom B’nai Israel of Manchester. The three-day musical event will feature a line-up of world-class jazz musicians and vocalists from throughout New England, New York City and Washington, D.C., as well as students, faculty and alumni of the Greater Hartford Academy of the Arts Jazz Program. Among those performing: vocalists Dianne Mower and Marion Cowings; the Jocelyn Pleasant Group, led by percussionist Jocelyn Pleasant; the Greater Hartford Academy of the Arts All Stars; and drummer Jacob Patrone and his Quartet. In addition, vocalist June Bisantz will offer a Chet Baker-inspired cool-jazz sound with selections from her new release “It’s Always You.” Her sextet reflects the Festival’s international character, with Russian-born jazz and classical pianist Alex Nakhimovsky, Hungarian-born Gabor Viragh on trumpet, Jamaican native Norman Johnson on guitar, and the U.S.A.’s Don Wallace on bass. Nakhimovsky, who will perform more than once during the festival, is also the Festival’s artistic advisor.

The Festival will run 7:30-10:30 p.m. onThursday and Saturday; and 1 – 5 p.m. on Sunday. Refreshments and CDs will be available for purchase. For tickets and information visit www.myshul.org/events/jazz or call (860) 324-8658. Tickets are also available by mail: J. Steigelfest, c/o Jazz Festival, 26 Tamarac Dr., Glastonbury, CT 06033.

CAP: June Bisantz