The Burlington Discover Jazz Festival has brought world-class jazz to the Queen City every summer for four decades. But the city is suffused with jazz talent all year round and has been for ages, from the heady days of Kilimanjaro and “Big Joe” Burrell the Unknown Blues Band to latter-day loca l lions such as Alex Stewart, Ray Vega, Brian McCarthy and Brian Boyes. That lineage continues with the likes of Dan Ryan, Avery Cooper, Parker Shper and other up-and-coming players who carry the Vermont jazz torch and help form an eclectic jazz ecosystem. Some of the most promising young artists in the scene will feature prominently at this year’s jazz festival, which runs Wednesday to Sunday, June 3 to 7. Here are some new names to know and where to catch them this week. Rachel Ambaye The South Burlington native and University of Vermont alum is one of the strongest jazz vocalists on the scene in recent memory. Possessed of a clear, powerful voice capable of hushed intimacy and soaring passion, Ambaye released her debut LP, Clockwise Motion, last year. The record, which included a stirring rendition of Thelonious Monk’s “Ruby, My Dear,” showcased Ambaye’s abilities as a songwriter, with six original compositions of erudite, tender jazz. Ambaye joins festival curator Jason Moran at the Flynn Main Stage on Thursday, June 4, for a tribute to Duke Ellington titled “My Heart Sings.” If you miss her at jazz fest, she hosts her own show, “Imagined Reality,” on Monday, June 8, at the Phoenix in Waterbury. Expect a blend of poetry and improvisational jazz. Connor Young Credit: Courtesy Connor Young Both a master of jazz trumpet and an accomplished folk singer-songwriter, Connor Young brings a lot to the table. The Burlington musician first caught attention with his skillful and evocative trumpet playing on his 2023 debut, Flight of the Starlings, a proper jazz record that felt fitting from a former prodigy who started performing when he was just 12. His follow-up records, including 2024’s From Me to You Vol.1 and the sequel he released in January, have further stretched his sound. Young’s calendar is often full, as he performs in local ensembles such as Saturn People’s Sound Collective and Alma Picante, on top of his solo shows and weekly jam sessions at area clubs. You can catch him multiple times during jazz fest, but we suggest his set on Saturday, June 6, at Burlington’s true jazz hot spot, the 126. Janéa Hudson A relative newcomer to the scene, vocalist Janéa Hudson started gigging around the Burlington area in 2022 after graduating from Northern Vermont University the previous year. With just a hint of grit beneath her smooth tones, Hudson can croon slinky, nightclub-ready jazz and belt out soulful RB with equal prowess. Indeed, when she’s not singing jazz solo or with one of her ensembles, Hudson can be found fronting the soul-funk outfit Cheddar. Hudson performs at the 126 on Friday, June 5. After the fest, catch her on Friday, June 12, with her band the Willistones at the Old Post in Burlington. Vermont Youth Orchestra Association Jazz If you want a sneak peek at the shape of Vermont jazz to come, look no further than the Vermont Youth Orchestra Association’s jazz program. The VYOA launched it in 2023, led by director and musician Kyle Saulnier. Many of the students seen playing in high school bands on Church Street Marketplace during the jazz fest end up matriculating to the audition-based VYOA jazz program, which features a who’s who of Vermont jazz musicians as instructors. Those include trombonist Matt Avery, drummer Caleb Bronz, saxophonist Jake Whitesell and the aforementioned Connor Young, among others. The VYOA jazz squad is set to back up festival curator Jason Moran on Thursday, June 4, at the Flynn Main Stage as part of the show “My Heart Sings,” a tribute to Duke Ellington. ➆ Burlington Discover Jazz Festival, Wednesday to Sunday, June 3 to 7, at various locations in Burlington. Most events are free. The original print version of this article was headlined “Next Up: A new wave of talent keeps the Vermont jazz scene alive and thriving” The post Meet the Next Generation of Vermont’s Jazz Scene appeared first on Seven Days. ...read more read less