Jazzville, NJ

2011 Newark Songbirds Calendar – Great Gift For A Great Cause

// September 22nd, 2010 // 1 Comment » // Denise Hamilton, History, Jazz Events, Madame Pat Tandy, News, Pam Purvis, Yvette Glover

You’ve heard me say it before – my daily NJ-centric jazz searches typically produce a list of band websites, local shows or other upcoming jazz events. On rare occasion, there’s a jazz club for sale or someone releasing a jazz-infused collection of Michael Jackson tunes. But late last week I had the unique pleasure of discovering a calendar featuring female jazz singers from the Garden State. What a treat! I had to investigate. (more…)

Hyatt Morristown Continues A Growing Trend

// September 20th, 2010 // 2 Comments » // Jazz Events, News

Jazz vocalist Laura Hull will kick off the inaugural night of "Jazz in the Hyatt," a new concert series being held at the Hyatt Morristown's Qube Lounge.

In what seems to be a growing trend of hotel restaurants offering live jazz performances, the Hyatt Morristown Hotel will now be presenting a live act every Thursday evening from 5:30pm to 8:30pm. The “Jazz in the Hyatt” series kicks off September 23rd with the LauRio Quartet featuring vocalist Laura Hull and master pianist Rio Clemente.

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Vince Giordano & His Nighthawks To Grace Small Screen

// September 13th, 2010 // 3 Comments » // Commentary, Jazz Events, News

Band leader Vince Giordano of "Vince Giordano & The Nighthawks" always looks like he just stepped right out of the Roaring 20's.

Sorry for the lack of posts lately, folks. Things have been a little hectic with the work situation. You know – the gig that brings in the cash. Anyway, I was doing my daily sniffing around the interwebs for NJ jazz-related topics, and my eyes just about popped out of my head when I started reading what I thought would be a review of this past Saturday’s performance by Vince Giordano & His Nighthawks at the New Jersey Jazz Society’s annual Princeton JazzFeast. But before any mention of the show was made, the author springs quite a surprise on us.

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As Summer Winds Down, Chicago Jazz Festival Will Cap Off Our Labor Day Weekend

// August 29th, 2010 // No Comments » // Jazz Events, News

Jazzville, NJ will be heading to the Chicago Jazz Festival the weekend of Sept 3-6, 2010.

As August quickly comes to an end, the Jazzville, NJ crew is looking back on all the terrific performances we’ve attended this summer. And despite the fact that we’d love for summer to continue for another three months, the end of the season does bring one piece of good news: the arrival of Labor Day weekend, which for avid jazz fans translates into the annual Chicago Jazz Festival.

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“Lullaby Of Birdland” Lyricist George David Weiss Dead At 89

// August 24th, 2010 // 2 Comments » // History, Jazz Events, News

George David Weiss (left) and Bennie Benjamin (right) in their office circa April 1947. PHOTO CREDIT: William P. Gottlieb

It’s always amazing how many unknown artists touch my life through their work; artists such as George David Weiss who I only find out about through the obituaries.

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Guitar Great Les Paul – Gone But Not Forgotten

// August 13th, 2010 // No Comments » // History, Jazz Events, News

Late guitarist Les Paul forever left his imprint on the music industry with his recording innovations and playing style. PHOTO CREDIT: Ickmusic.com

“This guy invented fire. What Dante was to literature, Les Paul was to modern recording. There was all this primitive stuff before him, and everything after him owes him a huge debt.”

Wow. How do I follow something like that? Luckily this legendary musician gives me more than enough material.

Les Paul was an amazing jazz and country guitarist, songwriter and inventor. He completely changed the way pop music is produced and helped make the sound of rock and roll possible with the solid-body electric guitar. He also pioneered the use of recording techniques modern artists take for granted such as multitrack recording, delay and echo, among others. His revolutionary guitar skills continue to inspire guitarists to this day and his namesake, the Gibson Les Paul, remains “the world’s most prestigious guitar.”

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Newport Jazz Fest 2010 – A Survival Guide For Those Left Behind

// August 1st, 2010 // No Comments » // Commentary, History, Jazz Events, News

The Ben Allison Quartet performing during my fateful 2007 Newport Jazz Festival trip.

In August of 2007, I took a week-long road trip through New England with a friend of mine. The first night’s itinerary called for a stop in my favorite New England town – Newport, Rhode Island.

Since the trip was a spur-of-the-moment event, I was blissfully unaware that we were about to drive into town on one of the most popular summer weekends – that of the Newport Jazz Festival. After driving around to a few bed & breakfasts, we realized finding a room was not going to be easy. But it was only after speaking with the folks at the majestic Hotel Viking and being quoted a rate of $700/night that we found out why we were having such trouble.

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Jazz-Age Lawn Party – The “Do Not Miss” Event Of The Summer!

// July 30th, 2010 // No Comments » // Jazz Events, News

Promo poster for Michael Arnella's Dreamland Orchestra Jazz Age Lawn Party - August 2010

Folks, I just found out about the coolest event… well, probably ever!

Michael Arnella’s Dreamland Orchestra is throwing a Jazz-Age Lawn Party on August 28th & 29th.

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Look Who’s Talkin All Dat Jazz

// July 29th, 2010 // No Comments » // Jazz Events, News

Musician and producer Shephatiah's album aims to bridge the gap between jazz lovers and hip hop fans.

A post recently caught my attention, and I thought Jazzville, NJ readers would find it just as interesting. So here goes:

What do you get when you mix classic jazz melodies and modern hip hop beats? No, it’s not Jay-Z or any of his peers doing a rap rendition of “Moanin.” Surprisingly, you’re given a 19-track jazz compilation of blues and soul numbers with a DJ vibe to usher in a new era of jazz.

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Jazz In Lincoln Park – Friday, July 30th

// July 27th, 2010 // No Comments » // Amiri Baraka, Jazz Events, News

Poet and activist Amiri Baraka will host the jazz portion of the Lincoln Park Music Festival in Newark this Friday. PHOTO CREDIT: DePauw University

For those who didn’t know, Newark has always played a big part in the New Jersey jazz scene, rich in history and cultural traditions. So it’s only natural to learn that a major jazz event will be taking place there this Friday in Lincoln Park.

The 5^th Annual Lincoln Park Music Festival is set to kick off on July 30^th at noon. Hosted by famed poet and activist Amiri Baraka, the Jazz All-Star Newark Arkestra will pay tribute to Newark composers, covering James Moody’s “Moody’s Mood for Love,” Babs Gonzalez & Dizzy Gillespie’s “Oo Pappa Da” and Sarah Vaughan’s (the “Divine One”) “Lullaby of Birdland.” Homage will also be paid to Newark icons Woody Shaw and Larry Young.

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