New Haven – On Thursday night, drummer Jimmy Gavian led his trio in an intimate set at The Cannon, a beloved Dwight Street pub that hosts the New Haven Jazz Underground series. The performance, attended by about 20 listeners, blended beloved standards with adventurous new arrangements, underscoring the city’s thriving local music community.
Roots in the Hartt School
Gavian first met series founder Nicholas DiMaria nearly a decade ago while a freshman at the University of Hartford’s Hartt School of Music. DiMaria, who launched the Underground in 2019, said Gavian was an “intuitive choice” for the venue because of his eagerness to learn and his strong friendships with fellow Hartt alumni.
The trio featured bassist Stephen Porter and guitarist Rich Goldstein, both former teachers of Gavian at Hartt. Porter now serves as a staff accompanist at the university, while Goldstein holds a faculty position as a guitar professor. Their shared background created a seamless musical conversation throughout the evening.
Setlist Highlights
The night opened with Wes Montgomery’s “Four on Six,” showcasing Porter’s precise time‑keeping and Goldstein’s warm archtop guitar tone. The group then drifted into ballads such as “Darn That Dream” and John Coltrane’s “Naima,” allowing the venue’s acoustics to shine.
Mid‑set, the trio paid tribute to classic rock influences that first drew them to music, recalling the pre‑streaming era of hunting for vinyl at local record stores. Goldstein noted how reading liner notes and examining album artwork created an “intimate moment” with each record.
Community and Collaboration
Gavian emphasized the importance of community in his growth as a musician, saying, “Playing alongside seasoned musicians was the most I got out of the Hartt curriculum.” The trio’s chemistry reflected the ethos of The Cannon—a space where musicians make the room their own, rather than demanding silence.
Audience members enjoyed the eclectic backdrop of a Caddyshack screening, Arsenal merchandise, and a Thrasher skateboarding broadcast, all while the music flowed without horns or reeds. The set closed with a lively rendition of “Jeannine,” during which a woman in red danced onto the patio, drawn by the sound spilling onto Dwight Street.
Looking Ahead
DiMaria described the Underground’s residency at The Cannon as a “salt of the earth” experience, highlighting how New Haven’s music scene thrives on collaboration and shared history. Gavian added, “Everybody plays with everybody,” reinforcing the city’s reputation as a nurturing ground for emerging talent.
The New Haven Jazz Underground series continues to showcase local artists, offering residents a chance to experience high‑quality jazz in familiar neighborhood venues.
Original reporting: New Haven Independent — read the source article.
