TURNmusic jazz performances play out 2025

November 28, 2025 | By Waterbury Roundabout 

As the final weeks of 2025 stretch ahead, TURNmusic in Waterbury’s calendar still has several live jazz performances in store at The Phoenix Gallery & Music Hall, starting with this Saturday, Nov. 29. 

Geoffrey Kim. Courtesy photo

With the intriguing title, “Those Who Can…,” Saturday’s show presents The Mischievists, featuring Geoff Kim at 7:30 p.m. 

“They say those who can, do, and those who can’t, teach. They’re wrong,” TURNmusic Director Anne Decker writes in the concert preview. 

Drummer Andy Gagnon and multi-instrumentalist Kyle Saulnier will prove the point as they join forces as The Mischievists, playing “groove-forward, jazz-adjacent chaos.” Their performance is another in an ongoing concert series featuring music educators/exceptional performers, Decker notes. 

Gagnon and Saulnier play hard, with a style that’s bold, spontaneous, and a little mischievous. They plan to color way outside the lines with their guest, featured artist Geoffrey Kim.

Composer, educator and multi-instrumentalist, Kim specializes in jazz, pop/rock, Cuban, and Brazilian music, performing on guitar, clarinet, tres cubano, and cavaquinho. He’s composed music for orchestra, voice, chamber ensemble, big band, dance, theatre, and Latin jazz ensemble. 

Doors open at 7 p.m.; music at 7:30 p.m. Admission on a sliding scale, $15-30. All ages. Youth (21 and under) are free. Get tickets at sevendaystickets.com or thephoenixvt.com. BYOB.

Dec. 5: Ray Vega QuARTet

Ray Vega. Courtesy photo

In addition to his busy sideman and teaching schedule, Vega has also been developing his own bands, the Ray Vega Quartet (bebop and beyond), and Ray Vega and The New York Latin Jazz All Stars (following in the footsteps of Mongo, Barretto and Fort Apache). 

The quartet is Vega on trumpet, Evan Allen on piano, bass player Jeremy Hill, and drummer Geza Carr. The RayVegaQuARTet plays originals and standards and focuses on hard-core swing. 

A prolific musician, Vega’s credits include performances across the U.S. and abroad including the American Museum of Natural History and the Museum of Modern Art in New York City, multiple years at the San Jose Jazz Festival, clubs from Seattle and St. Louis to Atlanta and Raleigh, North Carolina. He’s played the U.S. Open and jazz festivals in Puetro Rico, Switzerland and Germany. 

Doors open at 7 p.m.; music at 7:30 p.m. Admission on a sliding scale, $15-30. All ages. Youth (21 and under) are free. Get tickets at sevendaystickets.com or thephoenixvt.com. BYOB. Snacks available from Hen of the Wood. 

Dec. 19: Bruce Sklar Quintet featuring Nina Sklar 

Nina Sklar. Courtesy Photo

In this special performance, the Bruce Sklar Quintet featuring vocalist Nina Sklar will delve into deep cuts from the jazz world and the Great American Songbook. 

A highly accomplished jazz vocalist with an original style and sound Nina Sklar will be supported by Joshua Bruneau on trumpet, bassist Jeremy Hill, drummer Tim Gilmore, and pianist Bruce Sklar.

Doors open at 7 p.m.; music at 7:30 p.m. Admission on a sliding scale, $15-30. All ages. Youth (21 and under) are free. Get tickets at sevendaystickets.com or thephoenixvt.com. BYOB and festive dress is encouraged. Charcuterie will be available courtesy of Salt & Rind.