Amy London presents women in jazz March 21

If there’s one woman who is basically the champion of bringing jazz to Milford, it is renown vocalist and music producer Amy London, who performs regularly at Swing 46, a jazz club on Restaurant Row in New York City. She discovered Milford in the 80s through her good friend and colleague, the beloved international jazz singer/pianist recording artist Ronny Whyte. She moved to Milford in 2020 because of her friendship with Whyte and has been producing and curating major jazz events here since 2023 with a lot of support from the Milford Hospitality Group.

London’s latest endeavor is the “Speakeasy Jazz Sessions” held mostly at the Varsity Room at the Tom Quick Inn. This is a series of five jazz concerts which she launched on January 31 of this year. This first concert was a sold-out homage to Ronny Whyte and friends. The second concert in the series was the “Blue Inventions Trio” on February 28, also to a sold out house.

The next installment, “Women in the Great American Jazzbook,” is coming on Friday, March 21, and will feature popular jazz songs written by women, with Janice Friedman on piano, Jennifer Vincent on bass, and Bryana Crockett on drums.

London said, “This one-night-only event is the perfect way to honor Women’s History Month while experiencing the power and artistry of female composers in jazz.”

The artists will be celebrating the extraordinary contribution of women composers and lyricists who have shaped the Great American Songbook, such as Mary Lou Williams, Betty Comden, Marilyn Bergman, Annie Ross, Joni Mitchell, and Laura Nyro.

There will be two sets: one at 7:30 p.m. and the second set at 9:15 p.m., Tickets include both sets. Table seating tickets are $15 and bar seating tickets are $10. Tickets are available through Eventbrite or via milfordjazz.com. There is a $20 per person food and drink minimum. The Tom Quick is located at 411 Broad Street in Milford.

Upcoming performances

Later this year, the series will also feature “The Tardo Hammer Trio,” slated for April 25. Tardo Hammer is one of the most popular jazz pianists of his generation. Along with his renowned colleagues, Lee Hudson and Steve Williams, they will play well known jazz and bebop songs in the classic jazz trio format.

Then, “A Salsa Dance Party” will take place on May 17, complete with a Latin band and lessons at Forest Hall.