July 9, 2022 – 11 AM – 8 PM
Monte Irvin Orange Park
170 Central Ave, Orange, NJ 07050
By Gregory Burrus | Posted Sunday, June 26, 2022
You are all invited to the City of Orange NJ Food Truck and Jazz Festival for a delicious food and live music experience! Join us in the spacious nature-driven outdoors of Monte Irvin Orange Park. Monte Irvin Orange Park is a county park in the City of Orange, in Essex County, New Jersey. It serves the City of Orange with a playground, athletic fields, basketball court, soccer field, walking paths, and a man-made lake and is the perfect location for this annual Essex County / City of Orange outdoor food and jazz festival this summer.
Performers Lineup
Come get in the groove with some of the best jazz around. The City of Orange Food Truck and Jazz Festival lineups are composed of 8 performing groups led by some truly outstanding band leaders. Currently, we will have over 35 musicians scheduled to appear on July 9th to perform. The band leaders of each performing group are listed below, read on to learn more about them and click the link to learn more about their bands and the latest scheduled performance times.
Sherry Winston Band
Bandleader – Flute
Sherry Winston has performed in many of the major concert halls throughout the U.S. including Carnegie Hall, Constitution Hall, Lincoln Center and at the Kennedy Center. She is a musician, composer, and businesswoman who handles all of her own bookings, negotiating and management of her band. The much-admired instrumentalist Sherry Winston is one of modern jazz's biggest innovators, thanks to her classic arrangements issued throughout the '80s and '90s. She plays into other major trailblazers such as Najee, Grover Washington, and Quincy Jones, while receiving critical acclaim from around the world that has lasted throughout her entire career. A multi-Grammy nominee, an educator, and performer, Winston plays with a delicate balance. Click to learn more.
Nat Adderley Jr. Quartet
Bandleader – Piano
His name is an important one in the music business because it’s synonymous with Jazz, swing, funk, spirit and musical excellence. Nathaniel “Nat” Adderley Jr. is a jazz and rhythm and blues music arranger and pianist who spent much of his music career arranging as music director for Luther Vandross tours and contributed as co-songwriter on most of Vandross’s albums. Click to Meet the Band — Nat Adderley (keys), Dwayne Cook Broadnax (Drums), Chris Berger (Bass), Tommy Morimoto (Sax).
Richard Barata Latin Jazz
Bandleader – Drums
Grammy Nominated Richard Baratta was nominated for his album, Music In Film: The Reel Deal. Richard is also a film producer whose production credits include The Joker and The Irishman. His recent stellar performance at Rutgers Institute of Jazz Studies, Clements Place was an unbelievable, memorable event for a long time to come. We are very excited Richard and his band are joining us. Click to Meet the Band — Richard Baratta, Bill O’Connell, Craig Handy, Michael Goetz, Paul Rossman.
James Austin Jr. Quintet
Bandleader – Piano
James has received numerous accolades and awards, including the honor of being selected as a semi-finalist in the prestigious Thelonious Monk International Jazz Piano competition. He recently served as pianist and arranger for two star-studded concerts at Carnegie Hall under the baton of esteemed musical director, Ray Chew. Click to Meet the Band — James Austin Jr. (keys), Ben Rubens (bass), Jeremy Warren (Drums), Singer Jackie Jones.
Lee Odom Quartet
Bandleader – Saxophone
As a leading lady in the live music industry, Lee will be bringing an all-star female band that will knock you out. “Sweet” Lee Odom has been playing clarinet for years, along with other woodwind instruments, including flute and bass clarinet. A native of North Carolina, she studied clarinet performance at Appalachian State University. The music by Sweet Lee and her accompanying bands has been sending lighting vibes throughout the boroughs of New York. With a fusion of Jazz, Hip-Hop, Classical, and free improvisation, “Sweet” Lee keeps the groove groovin’. Click to Meet the Band — Lee Odom (Sax), Anna Caldwell (Piano), Luciana Padmore (Drums), Kim Clarke (Bass).
MPack – Clarence Conover
Bandleader – Multi-Instrumentalist / Vocalist
Clarence Conover, also known as the R&B ‘Groove Master’, is a bandleader, bassist, guitarist, keyboardist, drummer and vocalist. Clarence founded M-Pack Music productions over 4 decades ago with the motto “Life Changing Sounds”. Clarence has performed and recorded with Patti Labelle, Teddy Pendergrass, Grover Washington Jr., The Delfonics, Bo Diddley and more. Click to Meet the Band — Clarence Conover, Kev Natz Moore, Larry Greenberg, Glenn Robinson, Patricia Walton
Tim Horner Trio
Bandleader – Drummer
Tim has shared the stages of so many of New Yorks major venues such as The Village Vanguard, Birdland, The Blue Note, Lincoln Center, and Dizzy’s Coca Cola. The artists span a large cross section of jazz history performing with people such as Hank Jones, Clifford Jordan, Pepper Adams, Joe Locke, Randy Brecker, The Village Vanguard Orchestra, The Maria Schneider Jazz Orchestra, Ann Hampton Calloway and Rufus Reid. He has also recorded over 250 recordings as a sideman and 3 of his own personal projects of original compositions. Since 2000, he has been a 5-time Jazz Ambassador for the US State Dept. concertizing and teaching in over 20 countries throughout The World. Click to Meet the Band —Tim Horner (Drums), Allan Bezama (Guitar), Steve Laspina (Bass).
Jacquie Lee Quartet
Bandleader – Violinist
Teenager Jacquie Lee, who has been playing Violin for 11 years, received Jazz Soloist Downbeat Student Music Award for an Outstanding Performance. Jacquie has also been a member of Jazz House Kids and is a member of a family of musicians which has truly helped her hone her musicianship. Read more. Click to Meet the Band — Jacquie Lee (Violin), Derick Campos (Guitar), Seniar Raines (Bass), Matthew Lee (Drums).
As you can see, the lineup is smoking hot and the music is going to be awesome.
This is the perfect event for families, foodies and music lovers alike — a great opportunity to bring the whole family for a fun day out in the park. Furthermore, you should know that the renaming of Orange Park to Monte Irvin Orange Park was done on May 16, 2006. This was done in celebration of the life of baseball legend and local hero Monte Irvin, who in 1973 was inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame and now Orange Park has been renamed in his honor. The park is especially important to Monte as his former home is located across the street.
I urge you to come out and enjoy a variety of delicious food truck options. Search out your favorite food truck dish, settle down and listen to some of the best jazz professionals from emerging stars to seasoned musicians in our area.
Come early, bring your picnic baskets, lawn chairs and blankets and stay all day.
This is a great opportunity to socialize and network with other members of the community. This event is co-sponsored by the Essex County Department of Parks, Recreation and Cultural Affairs, the City of Orange Recreation and Cultural Affairs and curated by Gregory Burrus Productions.
Click to Register and Let Us Know
You Are Coming to Join Us - GET IN TOUCH!
About the Author Gregory Burrus
Gregory Burrus is a local live music ambassador, producer, promoter, event planner, and community partner. He combines his extensive corporate business and technology expertise with his love of live music and being a strong community advocate.
I love writing about it all. My mission is to help community groups, live music bands, and local nonprofits reach their goals and accomplish their missions while enjoying the day-to-day process of life.
https://gregoryburrusproductions.com/events