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Saturday July 4th (Smooth/Contemporary)
 Urban Jazz Coalition (6:30pm) is one of the hottest groups to emerge on the contemporary jazz scene in some time. Thousands of smooth jazz fans, coast-to-coast, have grooved to UJC’s high-energy sound, which has been called a unique blend of smooth jazz and fiery funk. They are definitely not to be missed!
 Lin Rountree (4:30pm), a Detroit trumpeter, has become a force to be reckoned with on the smooth jazz scene. He plays with power and soul and connects with the audience in a way that is rarely seen today. Lin is an accomplished musician that’s a true entertainer.
If you’ve never heard – or seen him, you’re going to love Lin Rountree.
 David D. Davis (3pm) is one of the most talented and gifted musicians today AND he’s from Connecticut. A Hartt School of Music graduate he has studied and played with some of the best in the business. His contemporary and straight-ahead collections have established him as one of the most prominent artists around. From song one, you’ll know why!
The Marcus Pitts/ Carl Neal Project (1:30pm) is made up of two of Springfield’s most talented and accomplished musicians, covering the Jazz, Gospel and R&B genres with excellence. Featuring additional “Pitts” family members, Hoop City Jazz is very proud – and excited, to be showcasing these very talented musicians together on one stage, in front of a hometown crowd.
Sunday July 5th (Traditional)
 La Timbistica: The Berklee Latin Jazz All-Stars (6pm) are a contemporary All-Star Latin band made up of some of the best young musicians on the East Coast. Their Latin Jazz repertoire ranges from Afro-Cuban and Brazilian classics to some of their modern original compositions. They were named DownBeat Magazine's "2008 Jazz Group of the Year" in the collegiate category. La Timbistica represents what the Hoop City Jazz & Art Festival is all about: “Presenting some of the best music you may never have heard”. A great band to close out the festival.
 Ron Gill (4:30pm) is one of Boston’s premier jazz singers and he’s coming to Springfield. With five of Boston’s most experienced musicians he’s known to take diverse material, such as the Duke Ellington and Billy Strayhorn songbooks and turn them into a tour de force. If you appreciate great jazz vocalists, Ron is not to be missed.
 E.S.P. (3pm), From Syracuse, NY, is a tasteful jazz quartet with a solidly contemporary sound. Their music is accessible and engaging, while their stage presence is entertaining and fun. Their fresh grooves and original compositions make their sound comparable to world-class groups like the Yellowjackets and Pat Metheny. Need we say more!
Charles Langford (1:30pm) is another very accomplished musician, sideman and session player from Springfield. After years of working in obscurity “Chuck” Langford, a second generation sax man, steps out of the shadow to shine his own light at this year’s festival. He recently released a new CD “That’s Wassup”, and when you hear him, you’ll know.
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