Greater Hartford Loves Jazz! For over 70 years, Greater Hartford has showcased high quality jazz. Along with nationally renowned jazz education programs at the Hartt School of Music, The Artists Collective, and Hall High School, local organizations who believe in jazz with an almost religious fervor have given Greater Hartford a constant supply of great jazz at memorable venues. From the State Theater, which presented the Big Bands of the '30's and '40's; to Norman Granz' Jazz At The Philharmonic and George Wein's Newport Jazz Festival On the Road at The Bushnell Memorial in the '50's and '60's; and club venues (ranging from the long gone, elegant Heublein Hotel, to the more recent 880 Club, Shenanigans, Lloyds, and the current venues on this website); visitors and residents of Greater Hartford can find a vital jazz scene!