Jazzville, NJ

First Tap Jam Of 2010 Sizzles @ Skippers

// January 16th, 2010 // No Comments » // Dai Oyama, Greg Bufford, Hillary-Marie, Jazz Events, Jeffry Foote, Justin Ballasy, Kyle Wilder, Lisle Atkinson, Lucas Ballasy, Radam Schwartz, Recaps & Reviews, Robin Young, Skippers, Newark, NJ, Tap Events, Yvette Glover

It certainly has been brutally cold these last few weeks, but the stage at Skippers Plane Street Pub was ablaze with talent during this past Thursday’s Tap Jam.

A tradition started by Yvette Glover, mother of renowned tap superstar Savion Glover, Thursday night Tap Jams are designed to showcase the tap community’s rising stars as well as professional dancers. Those in attendance that night were definitely not left disappointed by the show. (more…)

“Full Metal Blues” Blows The Lid Off Crossroads

// January 14th, 2010 // No Comments » // Blues Events, Crossroads, Garwood, NJ, Full Metal Blues Band, Recaps & Reviews

Only for good music will I brave the unrelenting cold that’s been pounding the tri-state as of late. As I sit here with the first signs of an oncoming cold, I will admit the trip to The Crossroads in Garwood, NJ, this past Sunday night to see The Full Metal Blues Band was worth the sniffles and scratchy throat I am now experiencing. (more…)

Jazzy Christmas And Swingin’ New Year! Two Great Shows This Weekend.

// December 25th, 2009 // No Comments » // James Gibbs III, Jazz Events, Madame Pat Tandy, Radam Schwartz, Skippers, Newark, NJ

So Christmas is upon us and New Year is soon to follow. Amazing how quickly time flies when you’re having fun. Here’s wishing you and your family the very best for Jazzy Christmas and a Swingin’ New Year.

If you’re looking for something to do this weekend, we have two shows that are sure to please. (more…)

Something Magical At Crossroads Jazz Jam, Tuesday 11/24/2009 (with audio)

// November 26th, 2009 // No Comments » // Cornell McGhee, Crossroads, Garwood, NJ, Dave Ginsberg, David Petrucelli, Earl Grice, James Gibbs III, Jazz Events, John Petrucelli, Radam Schwartz, Recaps & Reviews, Stan Myers

Performers (L to R) organist Radam Schwartz, David Ginsberg, Earl Grice, Cornell McGhee and unknown guitarrist

Something magical happened at The Crossroads this past Tuesday night. It follows a familiar pattern this time of year:

As the students who have been away at college for several months come home for the holidays, they bless us with the musical gifts they have been honing in the halls of academia. The energy is high as some friendly back-and-forth takes place between the musicians as they vie for their place on the proverbial totem pole. (more…)

True Guitar Hero, Stanley Jordan, Headlines Fundraiser at Skipper’s

// November 16th, 2009 // No Comments » // Dakota MacLeod, Denise Hamilton, Gordon Lane, James Gibbs III, Jazz Events, Ray Naccari, Recaps & Reviews, Renato Thoms, Santi Debriano, Skippers, Newark, NJ

It was an emotional night at Skipper’s this past Sunday during the 3rd Annual Fundraising Event for the Nigerian Mercy Medical Mission. The community of Newark came together alongside many notable artists and musicians to raise awareness and support for the village’s understaffed and inadequate hospital and orphanage.

Stanley Jordan, Santi Debriano and Denise Hamilton

The band was comprised of such prominent instrumentalists as Santi Debriano, James Gibbs III, Ray Naccari, Gordon Lane and Renato Thoms. But the headliner of the event was esteemed guitarist Stanley Jordan who undeniably brought the house down with his progressive instrumental sounds. It is no wonder he is dubbed a musical original what with his unique touch/ tap playing technique which made it seem as if he was playing two guitars at once. (more…)

“Crazy” Jazz Jam Rocks Skippers Monday Night

// November 11th, 2009 // 1 Comment » // Angel Williams, Bobby Curtis, Dr. Cliff Howell, Eugene "Goldie" Goldston, Greg Bufford, Joy Foster, Radam Schwartz, Recaps & Reviews, Skippers, Newark, NJ

I’ve only recently begun to immerse myself in New Jersey’s lively jazz scene thanks to Jazzville, NJ founder, D.A. Gutierrez. But if this past Monday’s Jazz Jam is an indication of only some of the talent found in this community, then the musical genius of these artists and performers will keep you coming back.

The Monday Night Jazz Jam at Skippers is hosted each week by the very charismatic Eugene “Goldie” Goldston. On this evening, he welcomed everyone to the festivities and guaranteed the crowd would not be disappointed by the end of the night. Boy did he deliver on that promise!

The main band consisted of Gregory Bufford on drums, Dr. Cliff Howell on guitar and Radam Schwartz, who played the Hammond B3 organ.

The three set the mood for a very laid-back atmosphere. It seemed as if the band was jamming in the comfort of home, encouraging each other to take liberties with solos and allowing one another to shine without breaking away from the trio. Each was in his own element, hands gliding across their respective instruments, energizing the crowd with every beat.

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Santi Debriano Trio Heats Up The Night at Skippers

// November 6th, 2009 // No Comments » // Recaps & Reviews, Santi Debriano, Skippers, Newark, NJ

Promoter, Jan Greiner with Santi Debriano (Drummer, Steve Johns in background)

History was made Wednesday, November 4, 2009, although it had nothing to do with the Yankees winning their 27th World Series championship. West of the city and over the roar of baseball fans - heavy, pulsating bass lines and relentless, high energy drumming could be heard at Newark’s landmark pub, Skippers, courtesy of a trio of jazz musicians playing together for the first time.

Bassist Santi Debriano, pianist Glauco Sagebin and drummer Steve Johns are well-known and renowned in their own right. Each has attended prestigious music schools, collaborated with countless jazz greats of past and present and put down roots in the greater NY/NJ area when not touring and performing for audiences across the world. But words cannot begin to describe the magic they created Wednesday night. (more…)

Rising Tap Stars (and some Pros) Heat Things Up At Skippers

// November 2nd, 2009 // No Comments » // Alicia Smith, Dai Oyama, Frank Clemente, Frank Noviello, Greg Bufford, Hillary-Marie, Jazz Events, Jeffry Foote, Justin Ballasy, Recaps & Reviews, Skippers, Newark, NJ, Tap Events, Yvette Glover

"Tap Mom" Yvette Glover with 13-year-old tap sensation, Justin Ballasy

Tucked away on a street corner in Newark, you certainly don’t expect much when first setting foot in Skippers Plane Street Pub. As you walk in, it’s impossible to believe there will be enough room for the patrons, let alone the tap dancers scheduled to perform in this past Thursday’s Tap Jam. Even the upright bass was bigger than the stage that had been set up.

Taking a seat at the cozy wooden tables, though, you instantly felt at home. The sense of community in the room quickly put you at ease, but with no less anticipation of what good times laid ahead.

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Recap Of Amiri Baraka’s 75th Birthday Jazz Concert

// October 5th, 2009 // No Comments » // Amiri Baraka, Bethany Baptist Church, Newark, NJ, Recaps & Reviews

The hall of Newark’s Bethany Baptist Church buzzed with excitement on Saturday, October 3, 2009, as we awaited the start of a Jazz Vespers program honoring legendary poet, playwright and activist, Amiri Baraka.

Like the tiled mosaic of a storm-tossed boat decorating the front of the altar, this controversial artist is thought by many to be a troubled man instead of a celebrated trailblazer. However the members of his lifelong church endeavored to alter this negative image. Truth be told, they succeeded. (more…)

Newark Celebrates Amiri Baraka’s 75th Birthday With A Week’s Worth of Festivities

// October 2nd, 2009 // No Comments » // Amiri Baraka, Jazz Events, Poetry Events

Last week while we were attending Frank Noviello’s show at Skippers, we were overwhelmed & surprised to have the opportunity to watch legendary poet, Amiri Baraka recite “The Lullaby of Avon Avenue”, a poetic tribute to jazz great and Newark native, Sarah Vaughan. See video above.

In celebration of Mr. Baraka’s 75th birthday, Newark residents are kicking off a week’s worth of celebrations beginning with a jazz concert at Bethany Baptist Church. (more…)