Hygienic Jazz Fest
At a Glance
What: Outdoor jazz festival featuring four bands performing across two stages
When: Sunday, October 18, 2026, beginning at 2 p.m.
Gates Open: 1:30 p.m.
Location: Hygienic Art Park, 79 Bank Street, New London, CT 06320
Admission: $10
Main Stage: Quintessence, FOUR, and Scott Gordley’s Funk House
Side Stage: Gerry Mander Trio, performing between main-stage sets
Music: Jazz, funk, and improvisational performances
Setting: Outdoor art and music venue in downtown New London
Organizer: Hygienic Art
Parking: Downtown street parking and nearby public parking facilities
Contact: (860) 443-8001
Event Description
Hygienic Jazz Fest brings four bands and two stages of live music to Hygienic Art Park in downtown New London on Sunday, October 18. The afternoon festival features Quintessence, FOUR, Scott Gordley’s Funk House, and the Gerry Mander Trio in a program that moves between jazz, funk, and improvisational music.
With a $10 admission price and performances beginning at 2 p.m., the event offers an accessible afternoon of live music in one of New London’s most distinctive outdoor performance spaces.
Three groups will appear on the main stage, while the Gerry Mander Trio performs on a second stage between sets. The arrangement is designed to keep music flowing throughout the afternoon, giving audiences an opportunity to hear all four acts without having to choose between competing performances.
Four Bands, Two Stages
The festival begins at 2 p.m. with Quintessence, followed by FOUR at 3 p.m. and Scott Gordley’s Funk House at 4 p.m.
The Gerry Mander Trio fills the intervals between the main-stage performances, creating a continuous program of live jazz.
Main Stage Schedule
2 p.m.: Quintessence
3 p.m.: FOUR
4 p.m.: Scott Gordley’s Funk House
Side Stage: Gerry Mander Trio, performing between main-stage sets.
The lineup brings together several groups with different musical identities, giving listeners a chance to experience the range of sounds that fit within contemporary jazz.
From Jazz Standards to Funk
Jazz has always been a music of interpretation, collaboration, and improvisation. Even when musicians begin with familiar melodies, the rhythms, solos, and interactions between instruments can make every performance different.
Hygienic Jazz Fest embraces that variety by presenting several ensembles over the course of a single afternoon.
The inclusion of Scott Gordley’s Funk House introduces a funk-oriented element to the lineup. Funk draws heavily on syncopated rhythms, prominent bass lines, and tightly coordinated instrumental arrangements, sharing a long musical history with jazz.
For listeners who enjoy jazz but are less familiar with its different styles, a multi-band festival provides an opportunity to discover new musicians and sounds.
The alternating stages also give the afternoon a relaxed pace. Rather than sitting through one extended concert, visitors can experience a succession of performances while enjoying the atmosphere of the Art Park.
The Hygienic Art Park Experience
Hygienic Art Park has become an important gathering place for New London’s arts and music community.
Located at 79 Bank Street, the outdoor venue is part of Hygienic Art, the nonprofit organization known for its galleries, exhibitions, concerts, and community programming.
The park provides an intimate setting for live performances, with an open-air stage and space for audiences to gather, listen, and enjoy music in the heart of downtown.
Unlike a conventional indoor concert hall, the Art Park combines live entertainment with the atmosphere of an urban courtyard. Its setting encourages the informal interaction between musicians and audiences that is especially well suited to jazz.
The venue regularly hosts concerts and cultural events that showcase regional talent while contributing to New London’s growing reputation as a destination for the arts.
A New London Arts Institution
Hygienic Art’s roots reach back to 1979, when local artists organized an independent exhibition in the former Hygienic Restaurant building.
The original exhibition developed into an enduring annual tradition known for welcoming artists without the conventional restrictions of a juried art show.
Over time, Hygienic Art grew into a nonprofit cultural organization, preserving its historic Bank Street building and expanding its programming to include exhibitions, performances, educational activities, and community events.
Today, the organization remains closely associated with New London’s creative identity.
Its Art Park extends that mission outdoors, providing a gathering space where visual art, music, and community life intersect.
Hygienic Jazz Fest continues that tradition by bringing musicians and audiences together for an afternoon devoted to live performance.
An Afternoon of Music in Downtown New London
The festival’s downtown location makes it easy to combine the concert with a visit to nearby restaurants, shops, and waterfront attractions.
Bank Street is home to a variety of independent businesses, and the surrounding historic district offers opportunities to explore New London before or after the performances.
For longtime jazz enthusiasts, the festival offers several bands in one afternoon. For casual listeners, the modest admission price and informal outdoor setting make it an approachable introduction to the local jazz scene.
With three scheduled main-stage performances and a second stage providing music between sets, Hygienic Jazz Fest is designed to keep the afternoon moving.
Featured image is an artistic representation inspired by the event and may not depict the actual people, location, or activities shown.