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 will present ‘Star Wars: Return of the Jedi in Concert’ with composer John Williams’ venerated score performed live to the film. Conductor Nicholas Hersh will lead the New Jersey Symphony in all four performances (see program below).

Since the release of the first Star Wars movie over 45 years ago, the Star Wars saga has had a seismic impact on both cinema and culture, inspiring audiences around the world with its mythic storytelling, captivating characters, groundbreaking special effects and iconic musical scores composed by Williams.

The film and its RIAA® (Recording Industry Association of America) gold-certified soundtrack feature eleven score cues created by legendary Academy Award® and GRAMMY® Award-winning composer, John Williams.

As the Empire prepares to crush the Rebellion with a more powerful Death Star, the Rebel Fleet counters with a massive attack on the space station. Luke Skywalker confronts Darth Vader in a final climactic duel.

The presentation is licensed by Disney Concerts.

PROGRAM

Star Wars: Return of the Jedi in Concert

New Jersey Symphony at the Movies

Nicholas Hersh conductor

New Jersey Symphony

Morristown – Thursday, April 4, 2024, 7:30 pm  Mayo Performing Arts Center

Red Bank – Friday, April 5, 2024, 8 pm  Count Basie Center for the Arts

New Brunswick – Saturday, April 6, 2024, 8 pm  State Theatre New Jersey

Newark – Sunday, April 7, 2024, 3 pm  New Jersey Performing Arts Center 

TICKETS & MORE INFORMATION

For more information about the New Jersey Symphony’s concerts and tickets, visit njsymphony.org/events or email information@njsymphony.org. 

Tickets are available for purchase by phone 1.800.ALLEGRO (255.3476) or at njsymphony.org

Disney Concerts

Disney Concerts is the concert production and licensing division of Disney Music Group, the music arm of The Walt Disney Company. Disney Concerts produces concerts and tours, and licenses Disney music and visual content to symphony orchestras, choruses and presenters on a worldwide basis.

The New Jersey Symphony

Connect Online with The New Jersey Symphony:

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

Email: information@njsymphony.org

To subscribe, visit njsymphony.org/subscribe

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CHARU SURI AGAIN TREADS FEARLESS BETWEEN MUSIC GENRES

By Mabel Pais

“Charu’s raga-based improvisations are singular.” – Multi-GRAMMY® Award-winning pianist Arturo O’Farrill

“Rags & Ragas sees Suri take on fusion adventures like few other artists out there in terms of arrangements and styles, making it an exciting listen each time because you never know what might leap out at you among its intricate compositions.”             – Anurag Tagat, Rolling Stone

CHARU SURI, award-winning pianist and composer, embarks on a sonic journey that bridges sounds of both East and West, as well as introduces listeners to the art of the songbook. Joining her onstage are others (see program below). The event, ‘Charu Suri: The Art of Raga Jazz & American Songbook’ takes place on Friday, April 5, 2024, 8 PM at the Weill Recital Hall, Carnegie Hall, New York City.

CHARU SURI treads fearlessly between genres, pulling global influences that range from the mood-anchoring Indian ragas, Sufi music, to the trio. Her ground-breaking albums, ‘The Book of Ragas,’ and its sequel, ‘The Book of Ragas vol. 2’ have often elicited the response, “I’ve never heard this type of sound before.”

One of the few female composers from India to perform work at Carnegie Hall, Charu has lived in four continents, and writes music that reflect her journey as both a traveler and her training as a classical music piano prodigy. She has been playing the piano since the age of five, and performing since the age of nine, and one of her best memories is winning an international piano competition at the age of 15.

Hear Charu play the Verona Waltz – youtu.be/nT74c9rgI5M

Verona Waltz (‘RAGAS & WALTZES’ by Charu Suri), recorded at Preservation Hall Jazz Band in New Orleans. Dedicated to the beautiful town of Verona, New Jersey.

What started purely as an experiment with her ‘Book of Ragas’ has turned into a niche that she is now increasingly becoming known for. Her latest album is ‘RAGAS & WALTZES,’ a first collaboration between her and Preservation Hall’s jazz drummer, Joe Lastie. Her previous album, ‘RAGAS & WALTZES’ has received a lot of praise from critics. JAZZIZ Magazine (jazziz.com) has praised its classic reinvention of the European waltz, and Dan McClenaghan’s ‘All About Jazz’ said, “These are all Suri originals, with which she creates a mood that is a mix, tune-by-tune, of longing and solemnity, then of a lilting and uplifting beauty, segueing into tender reverence that shifts gear into a segment of lively swing before drifting back to loving respect. And that swing is surely inspired by New Orleans’ Preservation Hall Jazz Band’s drummer, Joe Lastie, Jr., sitting in the recording session’s drummer’s chair.”

Her recent album, ‘RAGS & RAGAS,’ with bassist John Patitucci, drummer Joe Lastie, drummer Steve Gadd, and pianist Kobi Arad was released in September 2023.

Charu has performed at Lincoln Center and other prestigious concert halls around the world, including St. Croix in the U.S. Virgin Islands. She often performs with her band, and sometimes as a soloist. Her work will be performed by the New Jersey Symphony Orchestra for the first time on May 13, 2024 at NJPAC.

Learn more about Charu Suri at charusuri.com.

PROGRAM

‘CHARU SURI: THE ART OF RAGA JAZZ & AMERICAN SONGBOOK’

Performers

Charu Suri, Piano

Max ZT, Hammered Dulcimer

Joe Lastie, Drums

J. Brunka, Double Bass

Ri Wolf, Vocals

Cassandra Kubinski, Vocals

Danielle Erin Rhodes, Vocals

Umer Piracha, Sufi Vocals

Kobi Arad, Piano

TICKETS

For regular tickets, senior & student discounted tickets, visit the box office at carnegiehall.org/Cart/Event-Seating?itemNumber=46938#

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