• By Mabel Pais

The New Jersey Performing Arts Center (NJPAC) hosts the 13th Annual TD James Moody Jazz Festival this month. Performances started on November 7, continued during the month and will culminate on November 24 at the Sarah Vaughan International Jazz Vocal Competition.

LISTING OF PERFORMANCES

Below is a listing of performances, November 16-24.

WHEN: November 16 – 24, 2024

WHERE: Multiple venues across New Jersey including NJPAC (One Center Street, Newark), Mayo Performing Arts Center (1000 South Street, Morristown), Newark Symphony Hall (1020 Broad Street, Newark), Rutger University Clement’s Place (15 Washington Street, Newark)

SAT 11.16 @ 1:00 p.m. WBGO Children’s Concert with Davell Crawford

Davell Crawford – piano + vocals

The WBGO Kids Jazz Concert Series brings world-renowned jazz musicians to concert halls and venues throughout New York and New Jersey. This time it presents pianist and singer Davell Crawford. “The Prince of New Orleans” has become one of the true wonders of the Crescent City music scene. He tours the world, performing sold-out concerts, as a leading representative of American roots music, specifically New Orleans piano tradition. He has worked with Dr. John, Aaron Neville, Nona Hendrix, Roberta Flack and many other artists.

These concerts give young listeners the chance to discover the enjoyment of jazz, improvisation, and musical collaboration. With a relaxed, kid-friendly atmosphere, it’s the perfect way to introduce your child (or your whole family) to the art of jazz. The program is free and open to the public, but adults must be accompanied by at least one child.

Free. Advance reservation required. Location: Newark Symphony Hall.

SAT 11.16 @ 7:30 p.m. Madeleine Peyroux

Madeleine Peyroux – vocals and guitar

Andy Ezrin – keyboards

Paul Frazier – electric bass

Jazz fans will be delighted to experience Madeleine Peyroux live in this intimate performance. With her sweet-and-smoky voice, the beloved jazz vocalist breathes magic into timeless standards and self-penned originals. This program highlights a variety of songs from across Madeleine’s discography, a living testament to her artistic metamorphoses and the evolutions yet to come.

Location: NJPAC’s Victoria Theater.

SUN 11.17 @ 3:00 p.m. Cindy Blackman Santana NJPAC debut

Cindy Blackman Santana – percussion

Aurélien Budynek – guitar

Zaccai Curtis – keys

Emilio Modeste- saxophone

Cindy Blackman Santana is a force of nature. A longtime drummer for Santana and Lenny Kravitz, she’s known for the sheer power of her soulful playing. She’s performed with dozens of artists including Pharoah Sanders, Cassandra Wilson, Bill Laswell, Joss Stone, Joe Henderson, Buckethead, Don Pullen, Hugh Masakela and Angela Bofill. And she leads her own projects, including Another Lifetime and The Cindy Blackman Santana Band. Her solo album Give the Drummer Some (2020) spans jazz, rock and funk, showcasing her versatility both behind the kit and in front of the microphone.

Location: NJPAC’s Victoria Theater.

THU 11.21 @ 7:30 p.m. Jazz Jams Open Mic at Clement’s Place

 Co-presented by NJPAC and Wayne Winborne, Executive Director of the Institute of Jazz Studies at Rutgers University-Newark, this marks the first in a series of Jazz Jam Sessions to be held during the 2024-25 school year. Held at Clement’s Place on the campus of Rutgers-Newark, this Open Mic series is curated and directed by pianist and bandleader James Austin, Jr. in consultation with the Jazz Advisory Committee of NJPAC’s Community Engagement Department.

Free. Location: Rutger University’s Clement’s Place.

THU 11.21 @ 7:30 p.m. Bethany Baptist Jazz Vespers @ 25 Honoring Rev. M. William Howard, Jr.

Nat Adderly Jr. – music director/bandleader/piano

Jon Faddis – trumpet

Vanessa Rubin – vocals

Lizz Wright – vocals

Celebrate 25 years of the Bethany Baptist Jazz Vespers Concert Series with music director and bandleader Nat Adderley Jr., jazz trumpeter and conductor Jon Faddis, jazz vocalist Vanessa Rubin and jazz/gospel singer Lizz Wright. Since 2000, Newark’s historic Bethany Baptist Church has hosted free concerts that combine jazz and worship. For this special event, Jazz Vespers heads to the NJPAC stage for a look back at 25 years of praiseworthy music. The program will also honor Rev. M. William Howard, Jr., who co-founded Jazz Vespers with Newark’s First Lady of Jazz, NEA Jazz Master Dorthaan Kirk (WGBO Radio). Ms. Kirk described Dr. Howard as “a No. 1 jazz fan” to The New York Times, saying: “That’s why he started” the now-famous series. Co-sponsored with Bethany Baptist Church Jazz Vespers.

Location: NJPAC’s Victoria Theater.

FRI 11.22 @ 7:30 p.m. John Pizzarelli & Catherine Russell: BILLIE & BLUE EYES

NJPAC duo debut

Catherine Russell – vocals

John Pizzarelli Trio:

John Pizzarelli – guitar + vocals

Mike Karn – bass

Isaiah J. Thompson – piano

Celebrating their NJPAC debut as a duo, GRAMMY Award-winning jazz vocalist Catherine Russell teams up with world-renowned jazz guitarist and singer John Pizzarelli in a stunning tribute to Billie Holiday and Frank Sinatra. ‘BILLIE & BLUE EYES’ is a musical journey featuring popular songs of Frank Sinatra and Billie Holiday. Dubbed “the essential duo,” they transport audiences to the glory days of jazz with masterful ease, capturing Holiday’s effortless grace and Sinatra’s cool swagger. Audiences will hear the music of Lady Day and Ol’ Blue Eyes like never before, with familiar favorites and surprising hidden gems.

Pizzarelli is one of our most celebrated interpreters of the Great American Songbook. He has been hailed by The Boston Globe for “reinvigorating the Great American Songbook and re-popularizing Jazz.”  Russell has “a voice that wails like a horn and whispers like a snake in the garden of Eden” (NPR).

Location: NJPAC’s Victoria Theater.

SAT 11.23 @ 6:00 p.m. + 8:30 p.m. Dorado Schmitt and Sons: Django Festival All-Stars

Dorado Schmitt – violin

Amati Schmitt – guitar

Samson Schmitt – guitar

Ludovic Beier – accordion and accordion

Francko Mehrstein – rhythm guitar

Gino Roman – double bass

The Django Festival Allstars honor legendary Romani-French guitarist Django Reinhardt and his unique style of 1930s gypsy jazz, also known as “hot jazz.” The Django Festival Allstars have grown into a brilliantly cohesive group of star musicians who’ve taken America by storm, performing at top concert halls and festivals to standing ovations. Guitar, violin, double bass and accordion will get audience members’ hearts pumping with swinging rhythms, fiery solos and awe-inspiring technical prowess. It’s a family legacy for group leader Dorado Schmitt, who plays alongside talented sons Samson and Amati and cousins Francko Mehrstein and Gino Roman. “Sensational… Standout performance… Hardest swinging band at the Newport Jazz Festival” (DownBeat Magazine)

Location: NJPAC’s Chase Room.

SAT 11.23 @ 8:00 p.m. Kronos Quartet

David Harrington – violin

Gabriela Diaz – violin

Ayane Kozasa – viola

Paul Wiancko – cello

Two events took place during NJPAC’s inaugural season (1997-98) that boldly announced what the vision of this new arts center would be. The first, a performance by the boundary-pushing chamber group Kronos Quartet. The second, a tribute to gospel singer and activist Mahalia Jackson. Now, the Kronos Quartet returns to NJPAC to explore the inspiring voice of Mahalia Jackson, refracted through works by Nina Simone, John Coltrane, Terry Riley, Laurie Anderson, and more.

Mahalia Jackson was the voice of the civil rights movement. She sang her truth across the south: at Selma, the March on Washington and the funeral of Martin Luther King, Jr. She won the first-ever GRAMMY® for gospel music, and was honored with a posthumous lifetime achievement award in 1972.

For 50 years, San Francisco’s Kronos Quartet has challenged and reimagined what a string quartet can be. Kronos has been at the forefront of revolutionizing chamber music into a living art form that responds to the people and issues of our time. This marks the NJPAC debut of the latest iteration of Kronos Quartet featuring its two newest members: violinist Gabriela Diaz and cellist Paul Wiancko.

Location: NJPAC’s Victoria Theater.

SAT 11.23 @ 8:00 p.m. Philip Bailey, Lisa Fischer, Dianne Reeves and Christian McBride Big Band

Christian McBride – bass + bandleader

Philip Bailey – vocals

Lisa Fischer – vocals

Dianne Reeves – vocals

NJPAC Jazz Advisor Christian McBride (16x GRAMMY nominee and 8x winner) and his Big Band welcome a fierce lineup of vocalists: Philip Bailey (Earth, Wind & Fire), Lisa Fischer (background singer for Luther Vandross, The Rolling Stones, Chaka Khan and Tina Turner, whose journey was featured in the Oscar-winning documentary Twenty Feet from Stardom) and NEA Jazz Master Dianne Reeves. It’s a star-studded prelude to McBride’s forthcoming album (TBR Spring 2025), which combines big voices with big band.

Location: NJPAC’s Prudential Hall.

SUN 11.24 @ 11:30 a.m. + 1:30 p.m. Dorthaan’s Place: Brandee Younger Trio

Brandee Younger – harp

Rashaan Carter – bass

Allan Mednard – drums

NJPAC continues Dorthaan’s Place, its popular Sunday jazz brunch series at NICO Kitchen + Bar curated by Newark’s First Lady of Jazz, Dorthaan Kirk. The series made its debut during NJPAC’s 2012-13 season and has grown ever since. “The finest in jazz is on the menu… anticipation runs high at Dorthaan’s Place, whether you’re there for the music, the food, the scene, Dorthaan, or all of the above.” (All About Jazz)

This edition presents contemporary harpist Brandee Younger. A leading voice of the harp, Younger recently made history at the 2022 GRAMMY Awards as the first Black female solo artist nominated in the ‘Best Instrumental Composition category for her song “Beautiful Is Black.” The mesmerizing track is from her 2021 critically well-received major label debut album, ‘Somewhere Different,’ that also received a 2022 NAACP Image Award nomination for Outstanding Jazz Album – Instrumental. Over her career Younger has performed and recorded across countless genres with artists including John Legend, The Roots, Lauryn Hill, Common, Pharoah Sanders, Ravi Coltrane, Ron Carter, and Charlie Haden.

There are two brunch seatings: 11:00 a.m. (music begins at 11:30 a.m.) and 1:00 p.m. (music begins at 1:30 p.m.).

(does not include food/drink). Location: NJPAC’s NICO Kitchen + Bar.

Sun 11.24 @ 3:00 p.m. 13th Annual Sarah Vaughan International Jazz Vocal Competition

Sheila Anderson – host

Lucía – vocals

Christian McBride – judge

Madeleine Peyroux – judge

Bill Charlap – judge

Lisa Fischer – judge

Terri Lyne Carrington – judge

The divine Sarah Vaughan—Newark’s greatest musical gift to the world—got her start as the winner of a talent contest. NJPAC honors her legacy every year with the Sarah Vaughan International Jazz Vocal Competition, the only global jazz vocal contest of its kind, open to all genders and nationalities. This event offers outstanding jazz singers a one-of-a-kind platform for embarking on a career in the music business—and offers audience members a chance to discover the jazz stars of tomorrow. For this 13th annual “The SASSY Awards” event, WBGO Radio’s Sheila Anderson will host and 2022 SVVC winner Lucía will perform. A panel of all-star judges—Dee Dee Bridgewater, Christian McBride, Madeleine Peyroux, Bill Charlap, Lisa Fischer, and Terri Lyne Carrington—will select the winner.

Gifted young contestants from around the world are evaluated on vocal quality, musicality, technique, performance, individuality, artistic interpretation, and ability to swing. The winner receives a $5,000 cash prize. Past winners include Samara Joy, Cyrille Aimée, Jazzmeia Horn, Quiana Lynell, Laurin Talese, and more. For more information or to enter the competition, visit SarahVaughanCompetition.com.

Location: NJPAC’s Victoria Theater.

TICKETS

For tickets to each event, visit NJPAC.org

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