Having emerged as one of the preeminent guitarists on the New York City Jazz scene, Aba Ovadia and his organ trio will be showcased in the Branford Jazz Series schedule on Thursday, July 28 from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. on the Branford Town Green.

A jazz virtuoso, one of the most innovative guitarists of our time, Abe holds a master’s degree from Berklee College of Music and a master’s from New York University’s highly acclaimed jazz performance program. He is also a recipient of the Best Guitarist of 2016 Award from Hot House Jazz Magazine.

Predominant voices in the industry have recognized Abe’s contribution to today’s jazz. In 2010, Jeff Levenson of Warner Brothers honored Abe as a “Promising Artist of the 21st Century”, leading up to an international tour. Since then, Abe has developed a unique identity on the instrument and as a band leader, featuring an innovative and emotionally-charged energy that’s is unrelenting.

In recent years, he has formed a duo and a trio that perform regularly in and around New York City and throughout the country. His groups are platforms for Abe’s continual music exploration, documented recently by the 2017 release of his hit single, “Afro Blue.”

Organist Dr. T.W. Sample a native of Memphis, Tennessee, began playing the piano at a late age with the guidance of Ms. Elsa Harris and the Harris House of Gospel in Chicago, Illinois. He increased his initial performing experience playing gospel music for the Second Baptist Church of Wheaton, Illinois. T.W. moved to Wisconsin and played for Holy Cathedral Church of God in Christ, of Milwaukee and subsequently learned music theory and studying jazz history at the University of Wisconsin-Waukesha.

T.W. moved to the east coast to pursue additional musical and educational opportunities by studying with protégés of Phineas Newborn Jr. – jazz pianists and Memphis legends James Williams, Mulgrew Miller, and Harold Mabern. T.W. Sample graduated from The Ohio State University with a Bachelor of Arts in Music Education, William Paterson University with a Master of Music in Jazz Performance, and Five Towns College with a Doctor of Musical Arts in Jazz Performance and Commercial Music.

Jarrett Walser’s first love has always been jazz. This allure commenced at the age of 11 where he began studying at the New Jersey Performing Arts Center’s (NJPAC) Wachovia Jazz for Teens program in 2001.

After his studies at NJPAC, he continued to pursue his passion for music at Rutgers University, Mason Gross School of the Arts, where he received his B.A. (2012) and M.M. (2017) in Jazz Performance. While there he was able to study with world-class musicians – Victor Lewis, Ralph Bowen and Conrad Herwig to name a few. Jarrett has played at numerous major music venues in New York City including Dizzy’s Club Cocoa-Cola, The Iridium, The Blue Note, The Zinc Bar, and Carnegie Hall.

“It is a privilege to be invited to perform at the Branford Jazz Series this summer,” said Ovadia. “There’s nothing quite like an open air jazz festival to bring the spirit of the music alive. With the festival’s rich roster of past performers, location and new acts, this is going to be an event not to be missed.”