13th Annual Jazz Fest Kicks Off Next Week in NJ
I’ve written a lot about Jazz and Jazz Festivals and concerts. My first real radio on-air job was the morning show at a Jazz station. It was more than just a job, it introduced me to America’s only true and original art form, and I’m so glad I had that experience. My daughter just informed me that she’ll be taking a Jazz appreciation class next semester at college, and I hope she loves it as much as I did and still do.
For those reasons and a few others I like to promote Jazz performances, and The New Jersey Performing Arts Center (NJPAC) has its 13th annual James Moody Festival from November 7th to the 24th. Legendary Jazz Saxophonist James Moody was raised in Newark, New Jersey.
It’s scheduled to occur at several locations throughout Newark. It will include a wide range of jazz-infused performances from living legends of Funk like George Clinton, Vernon Reid, Nona Hendryx, and others.
The festival will also feature John Pizzarelli and Catherine Russell, Pulitzer Prize-winning percussionist Tyshawn Sorey, the New Jersey Symphony, Kronos Quartet, and Sandbox Percussion. It also features one of my all-time favorites, Madeleine Peyroux, on the 16th.
NJPAC’s Jazz Advisor Christian McBride will be leading his Big Band with an amazing lineup of vocalists including Earth, Wind, and Fire’s Philip Bailey, Lisa Fischer, and NEA Jazz Master Dianne Reeves. The Festival will conclude with the winner of the annual Sarah Vaughan International Jazz Vocal Competition announcement.
NJPAC President and CEO John Schreiber said, “One thing about this year’s festival that’s especially gratifying is that we’re able to turn a spotlight on some dear friends of the Arts Center. Christian McBride, NJPAC’s Jazz Advisor, will preview his next album with an all-star concert, ultimate Jersey guy and longtime Arts Center stalwart John Pizzarelli will celebrate the music of Frank Sinatra and Billie Holiday and Tyshawn Sorey, one of the very first students of NJPAC’s Jazz for Teens arts training program, will come home to Newark, now a master percussionist, composer, MacArthur Fellow and Pulitzer Prize winner. We could not be more proud of his success, or more delighted to have him back here.”
Complete Festival details can be found at NJPAC.org/jazz.
Check out this amazing lineup: Paquito D’ Rivera with New Jersey Symphony (Nov 7, 8 & 10)
Tribute to Funk! with Bilal, Nona Hendryx, Christian McBride, Savion Glover, Vernon Reid, George Clinton, and More (Nov 14)
NJMEA All-State Jazz Band + Choir (Nov 15)
Tyshawn Sorey Trio featuring Aaron Diehl and Harish Raghavan and
Sandbox Percussion (Nov 15)
Children’s Concert with Davell Crawford (Nov 16)
Madeleine Peyroux (Nov 16)
Cindy Blackman Santana (Nov 17)
Jazz Jams @ Clement’s Place (Nov 21)
Bethany Baptist Jazz Vespers @ 25 Honoring
Rev. M. William Howard, Jr. (Nov 21)
John Pizzarelli & Catherine Russell: Billie and Blue Eyes (Nov 22)
Dorado Schmitt and Sons: Django Festival All-Stars (Nov 23)
Kronos Quartet (Nov 23)
Philip Bailey, Lisa Fischer, Dianne Reeves and
Christian McBride Big Band (Nov 23)
Dorthaan’s Place: Brandee Younger Trio (Nov 24)
13th Annual Sarah Vaughan International Jazz Vocal Competition (Nov 24)