Feb. 26: Chad Lefkowitz-Brown Quartet in free online concert

LITCHFIELD — Litchfield Jazz will present the Chad Lefkowitz-Brown Quartet in a free online concert Feb 26 at 7:30 p.m. The performance will be livestreamed from Telefunken Soundstage in South Windsor.

Chad, who trimmed the Lefkowitz-Brown moniker to the more promo-friendly Chad LB, is a New Yorkbased saxophonist and recording artist, the announcement about the concert said. He was a member of the multi-Grammy-winning Afro Latin Jazz Orchestra and has toured with Taylor Swift. Known for his virtuosity and intricate lines as an improviser, according to the announcement, he is also an educator and publisher of original instructional materials. He is on the faculty of San Francisco Conservatory and a visiting artist for its Roots, Jazz and American Music program. All this at just 32.

Chad started playing saxophone at 9, taught by his music teacher- father who homeschooled him. He was not enthusiastic about playing at first until his dad ignited his fire by teaching him to improvise and play along with jazz records, the announcement said.

At age 11, he began touring under the guidance of drummer George Reed who backed many jazz legends in his day. Chad attended Litchfield Jazz Camp in his midteens. After racking up 15 DownBeat Student Music Awards and reaching college age, he was selected as a member of the Brubeck Institute Jazz Quintet at the University of the Pacific. He performed regularly with the Quintet and Dave Brubeck at festivals and venues throughout the United States.

Chad released Quarantine Standards with the Chad LB Virtual Big Band and the soon-to-be released Quartet Sessions on La Reserve Records.

Lindsey Victoria Photography / contributed Chad LB at the 2019 Litchfield Jazz Festival.