Since 1982, the Artists Collective has presented a series of tribute concerts to the masters of jazz. Art Blakey was the first honoree. The list of Artists Collective tribute honorees reads like a who’s who of America’s only true art form. The Artists Collective has presented:
- Ray Barretto
- Walter Bishop, Jr.
- Art Blakey
- Lester Bowie’s Brass Fantasy
- Shirley Caesar
- Betty Carter
- Ron Carter
- Ray Charles
- Cyrus Chestnut
- Earl Coleman
- Walter Davis, Jr.
- Lou Donaldson
- Roberta Flack
- Frank Foster
- Curtis Fuller
- Dizzy Gillespie
- Benny Golson
- Babs Gonzales
- Johnny Griffin
- Chico Hamilton
- Roy Haynes
- The Heath Brothers
- Bill Henderson
- Milt Jackson
- The Jackson Southerneers
- Illinois Jacquet
- Ahmad Jamal
- Sheila Jordan
- B.B. King
- Abbey Lincoln
- Wynton Marsalis
- Hugh Masekela
- James Moody
- Eddie Palmieri
- Wintley Phipps
- Sun Ra
- Max Roach
- Sonny Rollins
- Calypso Rose
- Little Jimmy Scott
- Arthur Taylor
- Billy Taylor
- Toots Thielemans
- McCoy Tyner
- Randy Weston
- Nancy Wilson
- Teddy Wilson
Concerts have included master workshops, affording Greater Hartford music students the experience of learning from the masters.
Dance
Dance concerts have included some of the world’s most innovative choreographers:
- Batoto Yetu Children of the Dance
- Chuck Davis & the African American Dance Ensemble
- Dance Company of Mozambique
- Dianne McIntyre
- Dos Alas Dancers from Cuba & Puerto Rico
- Fascinating Rhythms featuring Savion Glover and Jimmy Slyde
- Forces of Nature
- Jazz, Tap, Hip-Hop featuring Rene Harris & Pure Movement
- Jelon Viera and Dance Brazil
- Kevin Jeff & Jubiliation
- “Malick” Folk Performers of Trinidad/Tobago
- Marie Brooks Children’s Dance Theatre Company
- Mickey Davidson & Friends
- National Dance Company of Jamaica
- Phildanco (Philadelphia Dance Company)
- Tamango and Urban Tap Caravan
- Urban Bush Women
As with our musical performances, master workshops are conducted for Artist Collective students, members and open to the public for a nominal fee.
Theater
Artists Collective has presented many nationally recognized black theater companies throughout its history.
Visual Art Exhibits
Jackie McLean Memorial Celebration 2015
Artists Collective has exhibited many visual artists including:
- Romare Bearden (Introduced to the Hartford community and the state of Connecticut)
- Virginia Cox
- Lois Mailou Jones
- Joe Sam
