Roy Haynes has kept time over the years for a veritable Who’s Who of jazz that includes Louis Armstrong, Billie Holiday, Lester Young, Charlie Parker, Bud Powell, Thelonious Monk, Lennie Tristano, Dizzy Gillespie, Miles Davis, Sonny Rollins and John Coltrane.

Known as “The Pulse of Percussion,” he continues to influence the next generation of drummers with his distinctive sound.

The Roy Haynes Quartet, with its “hard swing” style, comprising piano, bass and sax and led by the master himself will be featured at the Norwalk Jazz Festival on Saturday, July 12.

Pieces of a Dream emerged out of Philadelphia’s music scene in 1976. Keyboardist James Lloyd, drummer Curtis Harmon and former bassist Cedric Napoleon based their name on Pieces of Dreams, a song that the group performed.

Coming off the great success of their latest albums, Acquainted with the Night, Love’s Silhouette and No Assembly Required, the group vows to “always be true to ourselves and our roots . . . and at the same time try to stay in touch with the times.”

Memphis-born saxophone master, Kirk Whalum, has been on the world jazz scene for more than 23 years. Honored with seven GRAMMY® nominations and many industry awards, he has recorded 17 albums that encompass a singular blend of jazz, gospel, pop and rhythm and blues.

He has also contributed unforgettable solos to works by a sprawling list of artists, most notably “Anyone Who Had a Heart” by the late, great Luther Vandross, and the Bodyguard soundtrack anthem “I Will Always Love You” by Whitney Houston (with whom he was also featured on a world tour).

Sherry Winston is a versatile jazz artist whose specialty is the electric flute. She and her band have performed in many of the major concert halls throughout the U.S. including Carnegie Hall, Constitution Hall, Lincoln Center and at the Kennedy Center. She is a musician, composer, and businesswoman.

As a performer Sherry has opened for Sinbad, Gerald Albright, Ramsey Lewis, Chaka Kahn, "Pieces of a Dream," Peabo Bryson, Regina Belle, Grover Washington, jr., Diane Reeves, Nelson Rangel, Ronnie Laws and many others.

Damon Grant performs original and traditional jazz compositions on vibraphone, marimba and a variety of other percussion instruments with Afro-Caribbean flair in his own group, The Damon Grant Project. He and his group have been recognized for their work in “Modern Drummer” and “Latin Beat” Magazines. Damon has also been recognized as a performer with the University of Massachusetts Jazz Ensembles by “Downbeat Magazine”, and has received four awards.

Tyrha Lindsey is a versatile jazz vocalist and recording and touring artist whose talents are receiving rave reviews. She toured with the highly acclaimed production of "Play On!" which aired on PBS' Great Performances. Other national credits include "Dreamgirls", "the First", "Kiss Me Kate" and "Sophisticated Ladies". Tyrha made her film debut in the Golden Globe and Oscar-nominated film "Mulholland Drive".

Tyrha's first album, "everlasting" received rave reviews.