Greater Hartford Festival of Jazz

Greater Hartford Festival of Jazz is New England's largest free jazz event, catering to roughly 70,000 people annually! The Greater Hartford Festival of Jazz (GHFJ) is a non-profit organization founded by Paul Brown, a renowned jazz bassist and music educator in Hartford. Initially inspired by his successful Monday Night Jazz Concerts in Bushnell Park, which attracted thousands of music enthusiasts for picnics and world-class entertainment, Paul created the first GHFJ in July 1991, commemorating the 25th anniversary of those memorable summers.

While Paul initially enlisted the help of friends to organize the festival, he eventually handed over the reins to a dedicated Board of Directors consisting of volunteers from the Central Connecticut area. They have continued to fulfill his vision of hosting a world-class jazz event in Hartford, allowing Paul to focus on his professional career and the Monday Night Jazz Concerts.