Bernard Fowler is an American musician known for a long association with The Rolling Stones, providing backing vocals since 1989 and on their studio recordings and live tours. He has released two solo albums and toured and recorded with many bands including Tackhead and Bad Dog.
Dave Koltai is best known for his award-winning musical instrument work as the product designer behind Supro and Pigtronix. Koltai’s musical credits include sound design for Paul Simon’s 2016 Stranger to Stranger album along with side-man experience backing up acts such as Hip Hop pioneer Kurtis Blow, the late Nigerian Reggae legend, Ras Kimono and Ivorian Afro-pop star, Soum Bill.
The Hartt Salsa All-Stars are a Latin music ensemble formed in 2022 by percussionist and bandleader Nino Ciampa with his fellow students while attending the Hartt School at the University of Hartford. The group has played all over the Northeast at restaurants, festivals, clubs, libraries, schools, and even a special performance for the Department of Education in Washington, D.C
Charlie Widmer is the 19th Connecticut State Troubadour (2026–2029) and an award-winning singer, songwriter, guitarist, producer, and music educator. Born in Zürich, Switzerland, and based in Connecticut, the Swiss-Puerto Rican multi-genre artist is celebrated for an extraordinary stylistic range that seamlessly bridges classical opera, modern bluegrass, and contemporary folk.
Sea Tea Improv is Hartford's professional comedy company performing and teaching improv, sketch, and stand-up comedy.
As bassist for the legendary rap label Sugarhill Records backing Grandmaster Flash & The Furious Five to the pioneering Living Colour, Doug Wimbish has lent his innovative and creative bass grooves and sounds to a roster of world-renowned musicians. Considered a pioneer in Hip-Hop bass playing and in the use of bass effects, alternate tunings and extended hand techniques, Doug’s mastery of the bass is unparalleled. Doug serves as the music curator for the Hartford Bonanza 2026 + America 250 Connecticut Commemorative Concert.
The Powell Brothers (Doobie, Kevin & Billy), coming up through a multigenerational musical family still based in the Hartford region, are well known for bringing their deep roots in gospel, soul, and jazz to local and international stages.
Corey Glover was born in Brooklyn, New York. Known for being the lead singer and front man for world-renowned rock band Living Colour, he is also an American actor known for his performance as Francis in Platoon (1986) and for his roles on The Keeper and Reunion.
Born and raised in Hartford, Dom McLennon is an interdisciplinary artist exploring creative mediums as a vocalist, performer, producer, visual artist, writer, educator, and storyteller. Dom’s career as a musician has developed an extensive discography, most notably with his contributions to BROCKHAMPTON’s extraordinary run as a lead vocalist & assistant producer.
Ava Grom is a singer-songwriter and performing musician based in Connecticut. Born and raised in Montana, she values community and music in the styles of Folk, Indie, Blues, Country, and Rock.
Founder of The Rooftop Poets LLC, Laugh born in Hartford, cultivates a community around poetry, professional development, and coaching. He trains community members in public speaking and performance because he believes the step after seeing it in your mind is hearing it out loud.
Known for her ethereal voice and magnetic stage presence, Connecticut based singer-songwriter Briana Maia's story began on the theatrical stage. Armed with a BFA in Acting from the University of Connecticut, she mastered the art of storytelling, starring in regional productions of The Color Purple, Dreamgirls, and Avenue Q. But when she caught the eye of Kelly Rowland on BET’s docuseries "Chasing Destiny," Briana realized it was time to take her career to the next level.
Khaiim the RapOet is a charismatic emcee from Manhattan–now based in Hartford–whose album with J Cole's platinum selling engineer Mez summited the Indie Hip-Hop Top 40. His positive use of Hip-Hop was recognized by Obama & Biden, as well as the New York Times, MTV, NPR, Netflix, and more
DJ Dana Game doesn't just play music—she architects moments. A curator, entrepreneur, and DJ with roots in the creative epicenters of New York City, Dana brings a rare fusion of cultural instinct and intelligence to every set she plays. Today, Dana commands rooms across clubs, hotels, galas, and private events, earning her reputation through something money can't buy: taste. Her sets are soulful, deliberate, and deeply felt—less a playlist, more a point of view.
Ch’Varda is a DJ/Producer based in Connecticut. Her mixes are a reflection and expression of her love for Hip Hop/Rap, Disco/House/Funk, Dancehall/Reggae and music in all forms.
Lady Nzima is a Hartford native, Enfield Poet Laureate, and two-time bestselling author. She authored over 40 books and is known as the Book Doula, helping aspiring authors of all ages bring their stories to life and publish their work.
The Hartford Symphony Orchestra is Connecticut’s premier musical organization and widely recognized as one of America’s leading regional orchestras. The HSO captivates and inspires audiences of all ages by presenting more than 100 concerts annually, including the Masterworks Series, POPS! Series, Sunday Serenades, Discovery Concerts, Symphony in Schools, the Talcott Mountain Music Festival, and more.
JME STRCHILD (aka Jaeme Brennan McDonald), is a multi-hyphenate musician, mix engineer, producer, and educator. He has performed with his own project as well as blues dub project Little Axe, and has been a fixture as a performer and producer of the WimBash Festival Series since its inception. His latest project, Redux Ex Machina Pt I, is available on all streaming platforms.
Hartford Chorale is a volunteer not-for-profit organization that presents, on a symphonic scale, masterpieces of great choral art throughout southern New England and beyond, serving as the primary symphonic chorus for the Greater Hartford community.
The Nat Reeves Quintet combines the masterful bass artistry of Nat Reeves with the lyrical trumpet of Joshua Bruneau, the elegant piano work of Mary DiPaola, the dynamic drumming of Molly Sayles, and the brilliant Nicky Davis on tenor saxophone. Drawing from the rich traditions of hard bop, blues, and modern jazz, the ensemble creates music that is sophisticated, soulful, and deeply rooted in swing while embracing the spontaneity and creativity of contemporary improvisation.
Mixashawn, the Wave Artist, is from Quannatuckwa aka Connecitcut. He is a performer, educator, and jazz artist who has played and recorded with artists like Bobby McFerin, Rashid Ali, Ravi Coltrane, and Anthony Davis, to mention but a few. His appearance at Bonanza features music of the Americas traditional and original that crosses time and borders in real time, or simply Omnipop, music of the last 500 years.
Brittana “Versatile Poetiq” Tatum is a dynamic Spoken Word artist, educator, and performer from Windsor. A University of Hartford graduate, she has been performing Spoken Word for 16 years and teaching it for 13 years. Known for her powerful blend of poetry and rap, Versatile inspires youth through her work with Arts for Learning Connecticut.