The River Room - Willimantic

06/12/2026

Thank you to all who made last night’s spectacular Shaboo All-Stars performance at Willimantic’s Capitol Theater (now part of EASTCONN’s Eastconn's Arts at the Capitol Theater program) so special!

A SOLD-OUT room and people dancing in the aisles is always a good sign! 🎶🎸😃

Very special thanks to Sarah Mallory and Colin McName for being such gracious hosts and providing us with literally EVERYTHING we needed to pull off this great evening!

See you at the next show… there WILL be more! 😉🎶

06/09/2026

🚨 TICKETS ARE GOING FAST FOR THESE AMAZING SHOWS THIS WEEK!🚨

If you've been thinking about joining us for either of these incredible shows, NOW is the time to grab your seats before they're gone!

🎸 Dr. David "Lefty" Foster & The Shaboo All-Stars: LIVE AT THE CAP!
📅 Wednesday, June 10
🎶 LIVE at the Capitol Theater | 896 Main St, Willimantic
🎟️ ONLY *14 TICKETS REMAINING*

A Connecticut music institution comes to Willimantic's historic Capitol Theater! Led by Dr. David "Lefty" Foster" and featuring legendary musicians with deep roots in the region's rich musical history, the Shaboo All-Stars always deliver an unforgettable night of blues, rock, soul, and pure musical magic!

TIX: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/dr-david-foster-the-shaboo-all-stars-live-at-the-cap-tickets-1989779351604

🎷 JAMES MONTGOMERY Blues Band!
📅 Saturday, June 13
🌊 LIVE at The River Room - Willimantic | 50 Riverside Drive, Willimantic
🎟️ ONLY *10 TICKETS REMAINING*

One of the most celebrated blues harmonica players in America, James Montgomery has shared stages with icons including BB King, Johnny Winter, Bonnie Raitt, and countless others**. His high-energy performances, masterful musicianship, and electrifying stage presence have made him a fan favorite for decades.

TIX: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/james-montgomery-blues-band-tickets-1989020189931

🔥 Both shows are expected to SELL OUT. Once these remaining tickets are gone, they're gone!

🎟️ Reserve your seats now at:
[www.riverroomwilli.com](http://www.riverroomwilli.com)

📍 The River Room Performing Arts Venue
50 Riverside Drive
Willimantic, CT

Don't wait until it's too late—be part of two unforgettable nights of world-class live music right here in Willimantic!

WFSB - Channel 3 Eyewitness News NBC Connecticut Hartford Courant Willimantic Chronicle i98.3 Good Company WILI 1400 & 95.3 Shaboo Productions LLC David E. Smith Willimantic's 3rd Thursday Street Fest

06/06/2026

🎉 CONGRATULATIONS TO OUR WINNER! 🎉

A big congratulations to **Connie Haynes**, winner of our ticket giveaway to see Dr. David "Lefty" Foster & The Shaboo All-Stars: LIVE AT THE CAP! on Wednesday, June 10th!

Thank you to everyone who entered to win! We had a great response and appreciate all of your support.

A special thank you to Keith C. Rice and Maryann Gorgone for partnering with us and allowing us to offer this exciting giveaway through Blackout Music Bingo at Fenton River Grill.

And if you've never experienced **Blackout Music Bingo at Fenton River Grill**... you are missing OUT! 🎶🔥

Incredible energy, great food, awesome people, and a dance-floor-style atmosphere that keeps the room buzzing all night long. (Yes, bingo ties are settled with DANCE-OFFS! 💃🕺)

Join the fun every Tuesday night starting around 7-7:30 PM at Fenton River Grill in Mansfield Center and see what all the excitement is about!

Congratulations again, Connie! Enjoy the show! 🎸🎤🎶

i98.3 Good Company WILI 1400 & 95.3 Shaboo Productions LLC

06/04/2026

🎶 From Dizzy Gillespie's Bandstand to The River Room 🎶

https://youtu.be/L4eoQdmAUaY?si=ecSISF145Fq8Ng6p&t=258

Before he became one of the most respected guitarists in jazz, Ed Cherry spent 15 years touring and recording with the legendary Dizzy Gillespie, helping carry the bebop master's music to audiences around the world.

One remarkable example is Dizzy's 1981 performance in Montreal of the rarely-heard tune "Land of Milk and Honey," featuring a young Ed Cherry's unmistakable guitar artistry alongside Dizzy's trumpet and vocals. It's a powerful reminder of the musical lineage and history that Cherry continues to bring to every performance.

Now, on Saturday, June 6th, you'll have the rare opportunity to experience this jazz master up close at The River Room as he joins two of New England's finest musicians:

🎸 Ed Cherry - guitar
🎻 Matt Dwonszyk - bass
🥁 Ben Bilello - drums

Together, they create music that is spontaneous, sophisticated, and deeply rooted in the jazz tradition while pushing it forward in real time.

✨ If you love authentic jazz played at the highest level, this is a show you won't want to miss.

📍 The River Room - Willimantic, CT
🗓 Saturday, June 6
🚪 Doors: 6:30 PM
🎵 Show: 7:30 PM

Experience world-class jazz in an intimate listening room setting where every note matters.

🎟 Tickets available now at riverroomwilli.com

First song that Dizzy played in Montreal 1981. I could not find th...

06/01/2026

🔥 JAZZ AT ITS FINEST 🔥

The legendary Jerry Bergonzi Quartet lit up The River Room - Willimantic on Saturday, May 23rd with a blistering live performance of John Coltrane’s “Moment’s Notice” 🎷🔥
Featuring an absolute powerhouse lineup:

🎷 Jerry Bergonzi - tenor saxophone
🎸 Sheryl Bailey - guitar
🎻 Harvie S - bass
🥁 Jason Tiemann - drums

From soaring improvisation to jaw-dropping interplay, this was the kind of world-class jazz experience that reminds us why live music matters.

🎶 WATCH the magic unfold and experience a moment of pure musical fire from one of today’s most respected voices in jazz!

And this is just the beginning...

🎵 The River Room regularly presents WORLD-CLASS performances across genres including:

🎷 Jazz
🎸 Blues & Rock
🎤 Indie & Folk
🪘 Latin Music
🎼 Indian Classical
✨ And much more!

We also offer:

💃 Dance classes
🎬 Documentary film screenings
🎙️ Open mics
🏛️ Private room rentals & special events

There’s always something inspiring happening in downtown Willimantic!

🌐 Learn more and see what’s coming next at riverroomwilli.com

LiveJazz

05/29/2026

🚨 SOLD OUT! 🚨

Tomorrow night’s performance featuring the incredible June Bisantz Quartet at The River Room - Willimantic is officially SOLD OUT! 🎶🔥

A heartfelt THANK YOU to everyone who secured tickets and continues to support live jazz and our growing music community. We can’t wait to welcome another packed house for what promises to be a truly unforgettable evening.

⚠️ MISSED OUT? Don’t make the same mistake twice!

🎸 NEXT WEEK: Jazz guitar royalty comes to The River Room!

Join us for an extraordinary performance featuring legendary guitarist Ed Cherry — internationally acclaimed jazz artist and former longtime member of the legendary Dizzy Gillespie Group.

For 15 remarkable years, Ed Cherry performed alongside jazz icon Dizzy Gillespie, appearing with Gillespie’s quartet, big band, and Grammy Award-winning United Nation Orchestra. His soulful, blues-infused, and rhythmically masterful guitar style has earned him recognition as one of the most respected guitarists in modern jazz.

Born in nearby New Haven, CT, Cherry’s musical roots stretch from bebop and straight-ahead jazz to the deep grooves of soul and R&B, inspired by artists like James Brown and Booker T. & the M.G.’s. That unique blend shines through in every performance.

Since his Dizzy years, Cherry has continued to leave his mark on the jazz world, performing and recording with a remarkable lineup of artists including:

🎹 Dr. Lonnie Smith
🎹 John Patton
🎺 Roy Hargrove’s Crisol
🎷 Paquito D’Rivera
🎺 Jon Faddis
🎼 Henry Threadgill
…and many more.

This is not simply another jazz concert — it’s a rare opportunity to experience a guitarist whose playing helped shape generations of modern jazz and who continues to captivate audiences worldwide.

🎟️ ACT EARLY — tickets are expected to move quickly following this week’s sellout!

Secure your seats NOW before they’re gone!

Ben Bilello Matt Dwonszyk The June Bisantz Quartet Alex Nakhimovsky Harvie S Bass

05/26/2026

The The June Bisantz Quartet RETURNS for yet another riveting performance at The River Room - Willimantic after a SELLOUT performance in 2025!

THERE ARE ONLY 12 TICKETS REMAINING FOR THIS SHOW, and, as of this post, you still have a chance to witness this stellar crowd-favortite act!

The band will feature:

June Bisantz - vocals
Alex Nakhimovsky - piano
Harvie S Bass - acoustic bass
Jon Fisher - drums

Get your tickets here: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/the-june-bisantz-quartet-tickets-1988449651435

05/24/2026

HUGE Thank-you to the Jerry Bergonzi Quartet for absolutely lighting up The River Room - Willimantic last night! What a band and what a show! 🔥

Jerry Bergonzi - tenor saxophone
Sheryl Bailey - guitar
Harvie S Bass - bass
Jason Tiemann - drums

Check out this great venue - great listening room!

I seriously ❤️