This year’s Rotary Club of West Hartford Jazz Brunch honored the memory of Hap Leabman, former Rotary Assistant District Governor and Jazz Brunch Chairman.
 
Rotary Club of West Hartford Raises more than $7,000
During 16th Annual Jazz Brunch
 
 More than 200 jazz aficionados helped Rotary Club of West Hartford raise $7,088.00 during its 16th Annual Jazz Brunch on November 4 at The Hartford Club.
Event proceeds will support West Hartford’s Gifts of Music program and other local charities.
 
The brunch, which honored the memory of Rotarian, former Assistant District Governor and 2011-2017 Jazz Brunch Chairman Hap Leabman, featured The Chris Flory and Harry Allen Quartet, including guitarist Chris Flory, Saxophonist Harry Allen, Bassist Neal Miner and drummer Tom Melito.
 
Our profound thanks to the attendees, Rotarians and volunteers who generously supported this annual event! A special thanks to committee members Jim Kilian, Ann Leabman and Tony Rodriguez; and to volunteers Jill Leabman, Erica Leabman, Gifts of Music director Haig Shahverdian, Peter Kovalevich, Lisa Brown, Kyle Egress and Bennett Forrest, Booker DeVaughn, Oscar Santo Domingo, Eileen Rau, Jenny Smith. A big shout out to our sponsors: West Hartford Mayor Sheri Cantor (music students’ master class sponsor); The Ellen Jean Goldfarb Memorial Charitable Trust (student table sponsor), Delamar Hotel (lodging for the artists) and Flemings Steak House (dinner for the artists).
 
Sunday Jazz Brunch at The Hartford Club, sponsored by the Rotary Club of West Hartford, is now in its 16th season. This highly popular event has been successful in raising funds for many local charitable organizations. Past artists have included Jimmy Cobb, Don Friedman, Delfeayo Marsalis, Renee Rosnes, Javon Jackson and Jimmy Heath. Each year, this day brings the best jazz artists New York and Boston have to offer to more than 200 jazz enthusiasts in the elegant setting of the Hartford Club. All expenses, including payments to the musicians, equipment rental, promotional costs and the cost of the brunch itself, are financed solely by ticket sales.
 
The Chris Flory and Harry Allen Quartet, including (left to right) Guitarist Chris Flory, Saxophonist Harry Allen, Bassist Neal Miner and drummer Tom Melito perform to a sold-out crowd at The Hartford Club November 4.
 
 
Guitarist Chris Flory performs in front of a photo honoring the memory of Hap Leabman, former Rotary Assistant District Governor and Jazz Brunch Chairman.
 
 
Left to right:  Saxophonist Harry Allen, Jazz Brunch Co-Chair Jim Kilian, Guitarist Chris Flory, Jazz Brunch Co-Chair Tony Rodriguez, Bassist Neal Miner, Drummer Tom Melito.