Vincent Herring Quartet to perform at Manchester Jazz Fest 2023

The Manchester Jazz Fest recently announced that the Vincent Herring Quartet will perform during the 8th annual festival at historic Cheney Hall, 177 Hartford Road in Manchester on Saturday, December 2. The quartet consists of composer and clinician Vincent Herring on alto and soprano saxophone, David Kikoski on piano, Yasushi Nakamura on bass, and Johnathan Blake on drums.

Herring's intense, soulful, multi-noted style and ebullient swing have excited audiences worldwide. On stage, Herring and his quartet often make an incendiary sound over fine and controlled rhythms of modern times. He started playing the saxophone at age 11 in school bands and studying privately at Dean Frederick’s School of Music in Vallejo, California. At 16, he studied on a music scholarship at California State University at Chico. A year later, he won a berth in the United States Military Academy Band at West Point.

In the early 1980s, Herring moved to New York City, attending Long Island University. He toured in the United States and Europe as part of the Lionel Hampton Big Band. With his sound strongly influenced by Julian “Cannonball” Adderley, his talent came to the attention of Nat Adderley. The two forged a nine-year musical relationship, producing nine albums and touring around the world. After Adderley's death, Herring collaborated with Louis Hayes to form the Cannonball Adderley Legacy Band.

Herring's remarkable musical career has included recording with Cedar Walton for more than 20 years and appearing on stage or on recordings with Freddie Hubbard, Dizzy Gillespie, Louis Hayes, Art Blakey and The Jazz Messengers, Horace Silver Quintet, Jack DeJohnette’s Special Edition, Larry Coryell, Steve Turre, The Mingus Big Band, Kenny Barron, Nancy Wilson, Dr. Billy Taylor, Carla Bley, Mike LeDonne, Carl Allen, Ron McClure, and John Hicks. His extensive guest soloist appearances have included performances with Wynton Marsalis at Lincoln Center and Jon Faddis and The Carnegie Hall Big Band.

In the studio, Herring's discography includes over 20 titles as a leader and over 250 as a sideman. His current and past projects include the Vincent Herring-Joris Dudli’s Soul Jazz Alliance, Earth Jazz Agents, Friendly Fire with Vincent Herring and Eric Alexander.

Herring tours frequently with his projects around the in the United States, Europe, Japan, China and around the world. He continues to share his distinct voice and musical knowledge as a performer and jazz educator. He currently serves on the staff of William Paterson University in Wayne, New Jersey and at Manhattan School of Music in New York City.

Sponsors lined up thus far include GEICO, Grossi Dance Academy and Dr. Kenneth Wichman. Tickets and sponsorships for the 8th annual Manchester Jazz Fest are currently available. For details, please visit www.ManchesterCTJazzFest.com.