Curtis Haywood delivers soulful contemporary jazz infused with Caribbean authentic steelpan rhythm integration. His smooth saxophone stylings, and live-performance energy are ideal for festivals, cultural events, and upscale concert experiences. A Brooklyn native with Berklee training in audio engineering, Haywood channels contemporary jazz, R&B, and island grooves through a melodic, soprano-forward sound and an engaging, high-energy stage presence.

His recent performance resume spans Brass City Jazz Festival (2023), Mattatuck Museum (CT, 2022), Heckscher Park (Huntington, NY, 2020), Branford Jazz on the Green (CT, 2019), Springfield Stone Soul Jazz Festival (MA, 2018/2015), Barbados Laughter & Jazz Festival (2015), Long Island Winterfest at Raphael Vineyard, the 107.5 WBLS New Year’s Eve Cruise (NYC), CNY Jazz Festival (Syracuse), and the Greater Hartford Festival of Jazz. On stage and in the studio, he has collaborated with or shared bills with Chieli Minucci/Special EFX, Will Donato, Elan Trotman, and JJ Sansaverino, and previously performed alongside Take 6, Melba Moore, Ray, Goodman & Brown, Harold Melvin’s Blue Notes, The Intruders, The Temptations Review featuring Dennis Edwards, The Temptations featuring Otis Williams, Kirk Franklin, Sounds of Blackness, and The Noel Pointer Band with Dave Valentin.

Haywood’s catalog bridges sleek contemporary jazz and soulful interpretations: the album Smooth Ingredients (2015) and singles Last Dance (2024), City Lights (2022), Summer Breeze (2018), and holiday favorites Hark the Herald Angels Sing (2017) and Mary, Did You Know (2021). Signature originals such as Heal Our Land and Rain Song reflect his belief in music’s power to uplift communities.

Mission ethos: “Curtis Haywood delivers soulful contemporary jazz infused with Caribbean rhythm, smooth saxophone stylings, and live-performance energy ideal for festivals, cultural events, and upscale concert experiences.”

Selected highlights and collaborations

  • Shared stages: Chieli Minucci/Special EFX, Will Donato, Elan Trotman, JJ Sansaverino
  • Prior bills/tours: Take 6, Melba Moore, Ray, Goodman & Brown, Harold Melvin’s Blue Notes, The Intruders, The Temptations Review feat. Dennis Edwards, The Temptations feat. Otis Williams, Kirk Franklin, Sounds of Blackness, The Noel Pointer Band with Dave Valentin

Selected performances (newest first; condensed)

  • 2023 — Brass City Jazz Festival — Waterbury, CT
  • 2022 — Mattatuck Museum — Waterbury, CT
  • 2020 — Heckscher Park — Huntington, NY
  • 2019 — Branford Jazz on the Green — Branford, CT
  • 2018 — Springfield Stone Soul Jazz Festival — Springfield, MA
  • 2015 — Springfield Stone Soul Jazz Festival — Springfield, MA
  • 2015 — Barbados Laughter & Jazz Festival — Barbados
  • 2015 — Pieces of a Dream Concert — Queens, NY
  • 2014 — Long Island Winterfest — Raphael Vineyard, NY
  • 2013 — Featured with Sinbad and The Intruders — NJ
  • 2012 — 107.5 WBLS New Year’s Eve Cruise — New York, NY
  • 2012 — CNY Jazz Festival — Syracuse, NY

Discography (selected)

  • 2024__ Last Dance
  • 2022 — City Lights (Single)
  • 2021 — Mary, Did You Know (Single)
  • 2018 — Summer Breeze (Single)
  • 2017 — Hark the Herald Angels Sing (Single)
  • 2015 — Smooth Ingredients (Album)
  • 2007 — Curtis Haywood (Album)

Press quote

  • “Haywood provides ‘smooth ingredients’ for the perfect musical listening experience.” — Jonathan Widran, SmoothJazz.com

Philanthropy

  • Supports hunger relief initiatives including Feed the Children; performances and releases such as Rain Song have amplified awareness and fundraising for communities in need.

Education and influences

  • Berklee College of Music (audio engineering). Influences include Grover Washington Jr., David Sanborn, Kenny Garrett, Bob Mintzer, and King Curtis.