Culture & Community | Jazz | Milford | Milford Arts Council | Music | Arts & Culture
Prince Davenport Photo.
The first strike of Jonathan Barber's drumsticks cut through the air like thunder, sending vibrations out into the crowded house. As the band surged forward, there was a kind of electricity between musicians, so thick a person could almost reach out and touch it. Hands tapped against table edges. Feet pressed against the floor. Bodies swayed and heads bopped.
This music wasn’t just heard—it was felt, resonating through every corner of the venue like an unspoken conversation between sound and soul.
The Milford Arts Council (MAC) became a haven for jazz lovers last Friday night as Jonathan Barber & Vision Ahead took the stage, delivering a performance filled with technical brilliance, soulful expression, and electrifying energy. The acclaimed band transported the audience on a sonic journey, blending the classic swing of jazz with elements of gospel, rock, soul, and fusion.
Barber’s own words from earlier in that night—that listeners could “expect a night of freedom and a cohesion of sound and collective expression”—rang true over and over again.
From the moment Barber’s drumsticks met the kit, the room buzzed with anticipation. His rhythmic precision and dynamic style set the tone for the evening, providing a solid foundation for the band’s rich and immersive sound.
Prince Davenport Photo.
Once it got rolling, the interplay between musicians was effortless. Pianist Cameron Campbell wove intricate melodies, guitarist Tony Davis added layers of harmonic texture, and saxophonist Matt Knoegel infused each piece with emotive lines. Meanwhile, bassist Matt Dwonszyk grounded the ensemble with deep, resonant tones.
Throughout the night, the audience witnessed Barber’s remarkable ability to push the boundaries of jazz (“It’s a beautiful thing to give culture and also receive culture,” he said before the show, and that was certainly alive during the set). His drumming was both a force and a guide—at times commanding, at times delicate. A listener could hear it in his composition “When Love Calls,” from his most recently released album In Motion.
In the piece, his drumming shifted between delicate, whisper-like strokes and commanding, urgent pulses, guiding the music through waves of emotion. The melodies unfurled like waves—sometimes yearning, sometimes bursting with intensity. Each note carried a sense of need and passion, drawing listeners into a space where vulnerability and intensity intertwined.
Vision Ahead’s sound, a fusion of various musical influences, kept audiences engaged and eager for more. As the night drew to a close, the band launched into a rousing finale, igniting cheers from the audience. At the helm, Barber performed “Pop-Pop,” which was written in homage to his grandfather.
His drumming served as the heartbeat of the composition—steady and reflective in one moment, bursting with intensity in the next—guiding the listener through waves of emotion. The melodies shimmered with warmth, inviting the audience into a space of remembrance and celebration, while the harmonies built a rich, immersive atmosphere.
“There is nothing like enriching yourself in live music,” Barber said in an interview with MAC Marketing Director Raheem Nelson, himself a practicing artist, in an interview before the show.
Attendee Stephanie Sands, the head of the MAC’s jazz programming committee (her sons, Ryan and Christian Sands, are also both professional musicians), praised the group for its artistry, emphasizing the importance of bringing these kinds of musical experiences to the greater New Haven area . She added that they’re especially important for youth, who may see themselves in the performers.
The MAC’s jazz concert programming will return in September 2025. Check out events and learn more about the MAC at its website.