The People's History of NEFA: Avery Sharpe

In honor of NEFA's 50th Anniversary and in contribution to the People's History of NEFA, Litchfield Jazz Festival/Camp sat down for a brief dialogue with educator and legendary jazz double bassist, electric bassist, and composer Avery Sharpe. 

Litchfield Jazz Festival/Camp has received numerous New England States Touring grants to host Avery Sharpe in residence as a teacher and performer at the camp. Avery Sharpe was also on NEFA's Jazz and Folk Artist Roster in the 1980s, honored with NEFA's Achievement in Jazz Award in 1997, and was a recipient of a New Work New England grant in 2022. 

Join NEFA’s milestone 50th celebration and share your story. 

Video Transcript

Title cards: Avery Sharpe is an acclaimed jazz double bassist, electric bassist, composer, and educator best known for his over 20-year collaboration with legendary pianist McCoy Tyner as well as performances alongside icons like Archie Shepp, Art Blakey, and Dizzy Gillespie. A recipient of the New England Foundation for the Arts (NEFA) Achievement in Jazz Award.

For nearly two decades, Avery has served as a core Litchfield Jazz Camp teaching artist, with coaching at the Camp and guest appearances and headliner performances at Litchfield Jazz Festival. This has been made possible in part through frequent grant support from NEFA and the National Endowment for the Arts. This sustained instituional backing has allowed Sharpe to mentor generations of young musicians, lead ensmebles, and perform original compositions like his Soujourner Truth Project in various venues, including Litchfield. These appearances have shaped his legacy as a pillar of jazz and peformance in New England.

Avery Sharpe: Well, I've been getting, I was getting NEFA support before I came to Litchfield. As a matter of fact, a couple of programs that NEFA had, New England Foundation for the Arts, they had this so-called Jazz Legends, where they gave out a grant for just being you. And I was one of the youngest people to receive it some number of years ago. And I was also on their touring roster. And when Litchfield approached me about coming here, I told them about NEFA and maybe they could apply because I live in Massachusetts and we're here in Connecticut. And if you, in order to be on the touring program, you have to be outside of your state that you live. But it has, you know, has to be in New England. And so I've been very appreciative of NEFA for supporting me because it's given me opportunity to teach here at Litchfield for, I can't know how many years, maybe 20. It's allowed me the opportunity to get to know the staff. 

Some of the kids who've graduated are now part of the staff, which is really great to see as, as well. And also me performing made it possible for me to, to bring my groups here. You know, I bought a gospel choir here, which was great with my group. I had the big bass bash where I had like five or six bass players. I was the, you know, younger, you had younger players than you had me, the old guy. And, but just different configurations. I mean, NEFA has allowed me to think and be creative to perform here at Litchfield. And once again, the great thing about teaching is they say when you teach, you learn twice. That old saying kind of happens because sometimes a student will ask me something that I don't think about anymore. I just sort of do naturally and I'll be like, "Oh, how do I do that?" So how do I communicate how I do that is it's just really invaluable. And I can't say really enough about NEFA and, and their support. They've given me support in other endeavors as well. I did a double quartet, a string quartet with my, with my regular quartet, which was piano, bass, and drums. And I had balafon and African percussion combined with a string quartet. And so they had a project where they called it New Works and I was able, fortunately, they selected me to do it. And the project turned out really great. I toured behind it. And so NEFA has been really invaluable. And once again with Litchfield, I've just, you know, I can't think of another [like it].

Title cards: As we reflect on 50 years of NEFA, Litchfield Jazz Camp takes tremendous pride in honoring Avery and the vital grant funding that has brought world-class artists directly to our students.

Having a master educator like Avery Sharpe return to our faculty year after year speaks to NEFA's mission--connecting seasoned artisty with emerging talent and ensuring the jazz legacy thrives across New England for generations to come.

Music: Avery Sharpe's "I See You" from his New Work New England grant-supported album, I Am My Neighbor's Keeper.

The People's History of NEFA

Honoring the past is essential to building the future. As we explore NEFA’s archives and reconnect with former directors and staff affectionately known as “NEFAns,” we also invite our valued constituents to share their experiences. How has NEFA supported your artistic vision, your organization, or your community? We warmly invite you to join this milestone celebration by sharing your story, The People's History of NEFA:

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