Music 2023

A Divine Homecoming & O'Sound

KeyBank Concert Series

Imagine if New Haven had a historically black college. In 1831 New Haven had the opportunity to host the nation’s first Black college but due to opposition from the City’s elite, the college never came to fruition. A Divine Homecoming is an intergenerational production honoring HBCU history and legacy through storytelling and step creating an imagined experience of what could’ve been.

A Night with Matthew Whitaker

Piano phenom Matthew Whitaker is one of the most exciting talents in recent years. Playing in the jazz tradition with gospel roots, he will be joined on the Lyman Center stage by Kergyma and gospel artist Jarron Taylor & the Cross Bearing Nation in a Father’s Day evening that is not to be missed!

Berdine Joseph

KeyBank Concert Series

Let your heart & soul be serenaded by Connecticut based Haitian Neo Soul, R&B, jazz infused recording artist and songwriter, Berdine Joseph.

Bill Lowe's Signifyin' Natives

The renowned ensemble of Bill Lowe’s Signifyin’ Natives reassembles in New Haven to celebrate the release of their first cd recording, “SWEET CANE, Suites and Other Pedagogical Prompts,” including Lowe’s adaptation of Jean Toomer’s Harlem Renaissance masterpiece, CANE, first published in 1923. 45-minute Lecture Demonstration followed by an hour Concert

Brooklyn Rider: The Four Elements

A not-to-be missed musical experience! Brooklyn Rider is an adventurous string quartet that performs contemporary music with the energy of four young rock stars. Let the music move you as they bring to life the four elements of earth, air, water and fire as a musical metaphor for both the inner workings of a quartet — and the inter-related effects of climate change on our planet. Performing pieces commissioned by the Quartet as well as by other contemporary composers, they’ll deliver an inspiring musical call to action. Will you heed the call?

Goodnight Moonshine

KeyBank Concert Series

Goodnight Moonshine pairs the intimacy and immediacy of the 90's with the sonic explosion of the 60's. Molly Venter (Red Molly) is a viscerally potent singer, à la Fiona Apple and Tracy Chapman, whose songwriting is redemptive and playful. Consummate musician and producer Eben Pariser (Roosevelt Dime), is a devotee of Ray Charles, Wes Montgomery, The Beatles and The Band. Courageous unveiling and depth of experience make the collaboration between married couple Molly Venter and Eben Pariser addictively captivating.

Grupo Tentación

KeyBank Concert Series

Get ready to experience the vibrant beats and electrifying energy of the Latin band, Grupo Tentación. Hailing from New London, CT this talented group is set to light up the stage and get your heart racing with their infectious rhythms and captivating melodies from lead singer Jocelyn Rosario.

Jarron Taylor All-Sing, Musical performance by Stefon Hawkins & Juneteenth Elder Honoring Celebration

Listen, sing, experience – the rich melodies and lush harmonies will be a feast for the senses! New Haven’s own Stefon Hawkins performs with New Hope Fellowship choir. His performance will be paired by a multigenerational community all-sing led by Jarron Taylor. All are invited to a Sunday masterclass with Jarron to learn the gospel techniques and perform for the community on the Alexander Clark stage.

Jon Secada

KeyBank Concert Series

With a career spanning over three decades, three Grammy Awards, 20 million albums sold and starring roles on Broadway, the acclaimed, romantic sounds of Jon Secada have resulted in numerous hits in English and Spanish. The Cuban-born singer-songwriter will grace the New Haven Green with his band to share music from his pop catalogue, including megahits “Angel,” “Just Another Day” and “Do You Believe in Us,” interlaced with Spanish-language melodies.

Keila Myles & The Moose Knuckles

KeyBank Concert Series

Keila Myles is a multidisciplinary artist based in Hartford, CT. She is best known for her work and performance as a musician. Her freshman project titled Just Add Water best sums up her ability to shape shift and aqueous to any genre and art form. Her style is a blend of R&B, soul, boom bap, classic rock and reggae. Keila draws from her American heritage in her lyricism and song-writing yet her delivery is reminiscent of classic reggae music. She will be performing with her band, The Moose Knuckles.

Mical Teja

KeyBank Concert Series

Join a Soca party on the New Haven Green! Trinidad’s own Mical Teja will bring his unique sound to close out the Caribbean Day Festival celebration. The man with the hottest pen in Soca music, Teja has written hits for artists like Machel Montano and Patrice Roberts, while putting out high quality music of his own. Teja’s fresh and exciting sound is popular in the annual Carnival catalogue. Don’t miss seeing this star in the Caribbean music scene!

New Haven Symphony Orchestra with Angelique Kidjo

KeyBank Concert Series

Dive into the magical tones of one of Africa’s most prominent musicians, Angelique Kidjo, as she is joined by the incredible New Haven Symphony Orchestra under the direction of Alasdaire Neale. A Grammy winner five times over, Kidjo entrances listeners by seamlessly mixing genres and powerful messages in her music. A night of musical pleasure that’s not to be missed!

QUITAPENAS

KeyBank Concert Series

Leave your troubles behind with the help of this tropical Afro-Latin combo whose name literally means “to remove worries.” Their rhythmic songs remix the sounds of the 60s, 70s and 80s as they transport you to magical evenings in Angola, Peru, Colombia, Brazil and beyond. Using the healing mix of guitar, saxophone, keyboards, bass and lot of contagious percussion, these modern- day curanderos will keep you moving to the music all throughout their performance.

Rising Higher: A Night of Soul

KeyBank Concert Series

Join us for a night of curated soul music featuring recording artist Ricky Alan Draughn, Michelle Brooks-Thompson, Jonathan DuBose, and Full Force and friends. Get ready to sway to the sounds of smooth jazz and R&B! Presented by Cool Breeze In Partnership with IFAI.

Sacred Land: Songs and Poems of Resilience from Ukraine

Led by celebrated producer, conductor and actor, Marika Kuzma, this unique live performance conveys a portrait of Ukraine not limited to destruction and conflict, but as a country of great cultural beauty and breadth. Experience projected images of the varied Ukrainian landscape, paired with soulful and colorful sacred and secular choral music spanning several centuries sung by Ensemble Cherubim, and interwoven with Ukrainian poetry. The 80-minute long concert is a true celebration of Ukrainian creativity and resilience.

STOUT

KeyBank Concert Series

STOUT started her musical journey at the age of three in her grandmother’s basement in New Haven, Connecticut. Since then, she has shared the stage with Alicia Keys, Stevie Wonder, Paul Simon, Carlos Santana, Missy Elliot and Usher, thrilling audiences around the world. Come out for this hometown hero as she proves her title as the Queen of New Era Rock in an electrifying concert!

The KC Sisters

KeyBank Concert Series

The KC Sisters have music in their DNA. The girls were raised by two musicians and introduced to multiple genres of music from rock & roll, country, gospel, folk, R&B, pop and jazz. Aside from their a cappella voices that harmonize on their repertoire of selections, each girl plays multiple instruments including piano, guitar, violin, bass, cello, ukulele, and drums. Each girl contributes to song arranging and the creation of new originals, which at times can be challenging, having so many cooks in the kitchen. Somehow they make it work and the song matures into something they all enjoy. They perform both covers and originals, many of which are recorded and produced themselves.