By Mabel Pais

“What the New Jersey Symphony has established, bringing music to the Garden State in schools and in six different cities, is a sincere accomplishment. And it’s never been better.” – nj.com

The New Jersey Symphony (NJS) presents a concert dedicated to the Queen of Soul, Aretha Franklin, featuring Capathia Jenkins and three-time GRAMMY® Award-nominee Ryan Shaw, with Lucas Waldin conducting.

Audiences will have four chances to hear the exciting performance of ‘Respect: A Tribute to Aretha Franklin,’ featuring hit songs like ‘A Natural Woman,’ ‘Chain of Fools,’ and the titular ‘Respect’ (see program below).

Franklin, known world-wide as the reigning Queen of Soul, is one of the best-selling musical artists of all time with global sales of more than 75 million records. She also won 18 GRAMMY® Awards out of her 44 nominations. In 1987, she was the first female musical artist inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.

The show was partially developed by Capathia Jenkins, who is a singer and actor with credits on Broadway and television, as well as a highly regarded concert singer who has appeared with numerous orchestras across the US. She has said of the show, “I do not try to emulate her. But what I do is bring myself to all the material. I think one of the things Aretha did so brilliantly was that no matter what she was singing she was always able to bring her soul and her honesty and her gospel roots to everything.” (Philadelphia Tribune)

Joining Jenkins on stage is Ryan Shaw, a singer, songwriter and recording artist whose credits include roles on stage in London’s West End and Broadway, along with his GRAMMY® nominations for his albums ‘This is Ryan Shaw,’ ‘In Between’ and Dynotone’s ‘Real Love.’  His latest album, ‘Imagining Marvin,’ includes original songs alongside hits from the legendary Marvin Gaye.

Conductor Lucas Waldin has conducted many orchestras across the US and his native Canada, including The Cleveland Orchestra, Houston Symphony, Dallas Symphony and Toronto Symphony, among others. He has also collaborated with artists including Carly Rae Jepsen, The Barenaked Ladies and Ben Folds.

PROGRAM

Respect: A Tribute to Aretha Franklin

New Jersey Symphony Special Concert – Symphony Celebration

Lucas Waldin conductor

Capathia Jenkins vocalist

Ryan Shaw vocalist

New Jersey Symphony

Morristown → Thursday, February 15, 2024, 7:30 pm  Mayo Performing Arts Center

Red Bank → Friday, February 16, 2024, 8 pm  Count Basie Center for the Arts

Newark → Saturday, February 17, 2024, 8 pm  New Jersey Performing Arts Center

New Brunswick → Sunday, February 18, 2024, 3 pm  State Theatre New Jersey

For more information on this and other concerts njsymphony.org/events

TICKETS

To purchase tickets for the performance, visit njsymphony.org/events or call 1.800.ALLEGRO (255.3476)

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NJS PRESENTS VIVALDI’S  AUDIENCE-FAVORITE WORKS

By Mabel Pais

Featuring Indian-American Reena Esmail, Music Composer

The New Jersey Symphony (NJS) presents four performances of Antonio Vivaldi’s ‘The Four Seasons,’ one of the composer’s best-known and well-loved works and a perennial audience favorite. Concertmaster Eric Wyrick leads the orchestra as violin soloist in the famous nature-inspired composition.

Music Director Xian Zhang conducts Richard Strauss’ Oboe Concerto, which features New Jersey Symphony Principal Oboe Robert Ingliss; and Reena Esmail’s RE|Member, written to commemorate the return of orchestra members to stages all over the country after the COVID-19 pandemic.

New Jersey audiences will have four performances from which to choose in February (see program below).

PROGRAM

Vivaldi’s The Four Seasons

New Jersey Symphony Classical

Xian Zhang conductor

Robert Ingliss oboe

Eric Wyrick violin – leads and solos

New Jersey Symphony

Newark → Thursday, February 22, 2024, 1:30 pm New Jersey Performing Arts Center

Newark → Friday, February 23, 2024, 8 pm New Jersey Performing Arts Center

Red Bank → Saturday, February 24, 2024, 8 pm Count Basie Center for the Arts

New Brunswick → Sunday, February 25, 2024, 3 pm State Theatre New Jersey

Reena Esmail RE|Member

1. Strauss Oboe Concerto

Vivaldi The Four Seasons

For more information on this and other concerts, visit njsymphony.org/events or email information@njsymphony.org.

TICKETS

For Tickets visit njsymphony.org/events or call 1.800.ALLEGRO (255.3476).

The New Jersey Symphony

The Emmy and Grammy Award-winning New Jersey Symphony is redefining what it means to be a nationally leading, relevant orchestra in the 21st century. The Symphony is renewing its deeply rooted commitment to diversity, equity and inclusion by championing new, and often local, artists; engaging audiences for whom the inspiring depth and breadth of classical music will be a new experience; and incorporating the broadest possible representation in all aspects of the organization – all to better reflect and serve its vibrant communities.

Since 2021, Music Director Xian Zhang has worked together with composer, violinist, educator and social-justice advocate Daniel Bernard Roumain, the orchestra’s Resident Artistic Catalyst, to offer programming that connects with diverse communities in Newark and throughout New Jersey.

Internationally renowned Chinese American conductor Xian Zhang began her tenure as the New Jersey Symphony’s current Music Director in 2016. Since her arrival at the New Jersey Symphony, Zhang has revitalized programming with an industry­ leading commitment to diversity, equity and inclusion in mainstage concerts.

Connect with NJ Symphony:

njsymphony.org

@NJSymphony on Facebook, Instagram, TikTok and X, formerly known as Twitter @NewJerseySymphony on YouTube

Email: information@njsymphony.org

(Mabel Pais writes on The Arts and Entertainment, Social Issues, Spirituality, Education, Cuisine, Health & Wellness, and Business)