Archive for Jazz Events

Jazz-Age Lawn Party Is The Cat’s Pajamas

// June 27th, 2011 // 1 Comment » // History, Jazz Events, News, Recaps & Reviews

This past weekend we attended the Jazz-age Lawn Party on Governors Island which, for the last few years, has injected a bit of Roaring 20′s-style class and sophistication into NYC two weekends each summer. As usual, the event is nothing if not a great place to people-watch. It’s striking how over 85% of the revelers (not an official statistic) are decked out in full 1920′s regalia. (more…)

Lou Pallo And The Gibson Bus

// May 22nd, 2011 // 4 Comments » // Crossroads, Garwood, NJ, Jazz Events, News

Gibson Tour Bus

A bus similar to this, and no doubt loaded with musical goodies, will be at the Crossroads in Garwood on Tuesday, May 22.

Just got an email from organist Radam Schwartz, who runs the Tuesday Night Jazz Jam at the Crossroads in Garwood. Check it out and consider attending. Sounds like a fun time! Here’s Radam’s original email with full details:

Lou Pallo and friends pull up in the decked-out Gibson bus on Tuesday, May 24th to hang at the Crossroads weekly jazz jam.
(more…)

Full Details For Point Pleasant Beach Jazz & Blues Fest 2011 (Address, Schedule, Etc)

// May 2nd, 2011 // No Comments » // Blues Events, Jazz Events, News

Well, this certainly is a rarity. Usually I find out what’s going on in the jazz & blues scenes around NJ and blog about it here, ultimately pointing you, faithful reader, to the official website for any given event.

(more…)

From Dawn Till Dusk: Fill Your Day With Jazz

// April 2nd, 2011 // 2 Comments » // Jazz Events, News, Robin's Nest, Linden, NJ

Pat Metheny standing, surrounded by the mechanized instruments that make up his Orchestrion tour.

Pat Metheny redefines the term "solo concert" with his Orchestrion Tour. Here, he stands surrounded by the mechanized instruments that share the stage with him.

Sunday April 3rd is set to be a windfall for NJ jazz fans:

First, wake up to the sounds of Pat Metheny and his Orchestrion (a show we attended this past October) at 9am on Channel 2′s “CBS News Sunday Morning.” Full details for this interview & performance can be found here.

(more…)

Best New Artist Esperanza Spalding Mesmerizes Crowd In Her Only NJ Appearance

// March 6th, 2011 // No Comments » // Artists, Esperanza Spalding, Jazz Events, Recaps & Reviews, UCPAC, Rahway, NJ

esperanza-spalding-bassist

Grammy Award winner Esperanza Spalding's innovative style is paving the way for future jazz musicians. PHOTO CREDIT: Afrobella.com

She may have made history at this year’s Grammy Awards by becoming the first jazz musician EVER to win Best New Artist, but Esperanza Spalding hasn’t let the hype change her. Humbly walking onto the unlit stage of the Union County Performing Arts Center on Saturday, March 5, Spalding turned on a lamp, took off her coat and poured herself a glass of wine, creating an atmosphere of tranquility amidst the whirlwind of activity that’s occurred in these few weeks since then. Having read Esperanza’s bio detailing how she first decided she wanted to be a musician at age four after watching Yo Yo Ma perform on an episode of Mister Rogers’ Neighborhood, I couldn’t help but feel that her “arrival”  was a small tribute to the daily ritual he performed at the start of every episode.

(more…)

Grammy Winner Esperanza Spalding To Play Union County Performing Arts Center

// February 16th, 2011 // 3 Comments » // Esperanza Spalding, Jazz Events, News

Esperanza Spalding, dressed in a smart black turtleneck and bead necklace, poses with her hands wrapped around the fretboard of her bass, her trademark hair swirling about her head in a display of ordered chaos.

Six years ago, at the age of 20, Esperanza Spalding became one of the youngest teachers in the history of the famed Berklee School of Music. This past Sunday she added to her list of achievements with a Grammy Award for Best New Artist. PHOTO CREDIT: Kyle Gustafson/FTWP.

Fresh off her win for Best New Artist at the 53rd Annual Grammy Awards (and all the Bieber controversy that surrounded it), Esperanza Spalding will be playing at the historic Union County Performing Arts Center in Rahway on March 5th.

(more…)

Tia Fuller Blows Away Audience In Jazz Room Series

// February 15th, 2011 // No Comments » // Jazz Events, Recaps & Reviews

Tia Fuller smiles and poses with her saxophone

Tia Fuller proved to the audience at William Paterson University's Jazz Room Series that she is a force to be reckoned with. PHOTO CREDIT: StanfordJazz.org

Jazz lovers received an early Valentine’s Day treat on Sunday, February 13, courtesy of William Paterson University’s Jazz Room Series. The magnificently talented Tia Fuller performed a set from her latest record entitled “Decisive Steps.”

The Jazzville, NJ crew first had a chance to see this incredible young saxophone player when the The New Brunswick Jazz Project hosted an event at Makeda Ethiopian Restaurant late last year. Fuller completely stole our hearts that night, and this past weekend was no different.

(more…)

Final Lullaby For Pianist And Composer George Shearing

// February 14th, 2011 // No Comments » // Jazz Events, News

It was with great shock and sadness that I read today of the passing of George Shearing, the masterful pianist and composer who wrote one of my favorite tunes, “Lullaby Of Birdland.”

(more…)

Jazzville, NJ Invites You To Attend A Meetup

// February 11th, 2011 // 1 Comment » // Jazz Events, News

Tia Fuller poses with her saxophone close at hand

Tia Fuller will perform this Sunday at William Paterson University's ongoing Jazz Room Series. PHOTO CREDIT: Raj Najik

With Valentine’s Day just around the corner, we invite you to join Jazzville, NJ in sharing your love of New Jersey Jazz. Each month, we attend several events around NJ with a group of dedicated jazz fans, and this month features a special treat:

(more…)

The Queens Jazz Trail Walking Tour

// February 10th, 2011 // No Comments » // History, Jazz Events

ella-fitzgerald-179-07murdockavenue-hdc-org

Ella Fitzgerald's home: The current owners still receive mail addressed to "The First Lady of Song." PHOTO CREDIT: CBS New York

Ever wonder where jazz greats like Ella Fitzgerald and Milt Hinton went after giving incredible performances night after night? Well now you can find out when you sign up for The Queens Jazz Trail Walking Tour.

(more…)