By Gregory Burrus | Posted Thursday, June 30, 2022
Hey everybody, we have a great music scene running around the towns and we're proud of it. Our Jazzy live music events are the perfect way to spend a summer afternoon or evening. Our goal is to support local artists and help them get their music out there. Our events feature some of the best up-and-coming talent in the area, are family-friendly, and a great way to bring the community together.
This month's events are bigger and better than ever before and we hope you can join us and enjoy them. All of our events will be listed here at https://gregoryburrusproductions.com/events/ and/or on the venue partner website. Please bookmark the link and stay updated with all the events happening with Gregory Burrus around the towns.
Here’s your quick guide to what's happening in July with Gregory Burrus Productions. See details for each event down below.
Saturday Live Music Events - Jazz Festivals and Events
We have a few Jazz Fest happenings in July with some awesome bands — a great way to spend a Saturday listening to some great jazz.
July 10 Sat - 11 AM - 9 PM Food Truck and Jazz Festival - City of Orange, NJ. in Monte Irvin Orange Park.
July 23 Sat - 3 PM - 8 PM Jazz Fest at the Promenade - the Raymond Wood Bauer Promenade - Linden NJ.
Sunday Jazz Series - Jazz On a Sunday Afternoon
Many of you have been asking when will Jazz at the Gazebo events return? Well, we are doing it again on a regular basis, but due to circumstances beyond my control it’s now going to be Jazz on a Sunday Afternoon at multiple locations. As mentioned previously, all of our Sunday Jazz Series events will be listed on our venue partner’s website and at https://gregoryburrusproductions.com/events/.
The following is a listing of what we did in June and what's coming in July, also with details below. We hope you can join us.
June 19 Sun 4 - 7 PM An Afternoon of Jazz in Weequahic Park w James Austin Jr Trio, News, Newark, NJ
June 26 Sun 3 - 6 PM Barry Harris Institute of Jazz Tribute w Richard Clements & Murray Wall 11th St Band. West Orange, NJ.
July 10th Sun 3- 7:30 PM Return to Love - Jazz On a Summer Afternoon at the Blanchard Mansion, South Orange, NJ
July 17 Sun 3 - 7:30 PM Jazzy Music at the Hawthorne Avenue Farm, Newark, NJ.
July 24 - Aug 7 Sun 3:00 - 6:00 PM. Sunday Jazz Series - Jazz Jamming at the Springfield Ave Gazebo, Maplewood, NJ.
Friday’s - Jazzy Nights Live are Back!!!!
This popular 2nd Thursday series started with my buddy and Bassman Darryl Clark (RIP). The series has moved to Fridays at the newly owned South Valley BBQ and Bar in West Orange, NJ. The venue is located at 34 S Valley Rd in West Orange, NJ 07052. We have been doing random events since February and now on a regular basis. Once again, we keep the place jumping and folks are definitely coming on out and having fun with us.
1st Fridays - R&B at South Valley BBQ and Lounge - we are singing and dancing with MPACK
3rd Fridays - Jazz at South Valley BBQ and Lounge - we break out some of the best jazz musicians in the area - come join us.
You can see what's happening by previewing a small taste of Jazzy Nights below.
Week Day Events - Around the Towns Summer Live Music Series
Wednesdays - Every week from 6/29 to 9/14, City of Orange Farmers Market, Every Wed. R&B jam is back so please join in and jam with us.
Thursdays - Every week from 6/30 to 9/29, Downtown Cranford Summer Sounds with wonderful performances all Summer long. Come on out.
Following is a quick synopsis of the events and links to more detail.
Saturdays - Jazz Festivals and Events
July 10th, Saturday - Food Truck and Jazz Festival - City of Orange, NJ
You are all invited to the City of Orange NJ Food Truck and Jazz Festival for some delicious food and a great live jazz music experience!
Are you ready for some serious jazz? We have an ideal setting to escape from the city bustle, your daily hustle and experience some of the best live jazz music in the Northeast and beyond. This annual "City of Orange" food truck and jazz festival will open with some of the hottest and most talented young musicians. Escape to Monte Irvin Park for a day of relaxation and great music and enjoy an incredible lineup of bands from all over the country. Tell your family and Friends and come join us.
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.
This is the perfect event for families, friends, foodies and music lovers alike — a great opportunity to bring the whole family for a fun day out in the park. Read all about it right here on JerseyIndie - https://www.jerseyindie.com/blog/food-truck-and-jazz-festival-in-monte-irvin-orange-park-city-of-orange-nj-july-9
July 23, Saturday - Jazz Fest at the Promenade - Linden, NJ
Come out and enjoy some great jazz music from local artists. Our local musicians are some of the best, so you're sure to enjoy these performances. Relax outdoors under the sun while listening to some great live music. Spend a fun day with family and friends at the Raymond Wood Bauer Promenade in Linden NJ. You will get to enjoy some of the best jazz music that our area has to offer. Click here for more- https://www.eventbrite.com/e/jazz-fest-at-the-promenade-raymond-wood-bauer-promenade-in-linden-nj-tickets-377053125047
Sundays Jazz Series - Jazz On a Sunday Afternoon
We started in June so review these past recaps and upcoming events.
June 19, 4 - 7 PM — An Afternoon of Jazz in Weequahic Park with James Austin Jr. Trio Replay
We opened with Jazz On A Sunday afternoon at Weequahic Park with the James Austin Jr Trio. It was a beautiful Juneteenth Sunday Afternoon at the truly lovely Fieldston Middleton Community Center in Newark’s Weequahic Park at 92 Thomas Carmichael Drive. An absolutely gorgeous sunny summer afternoon in this beautiful redeveloped center. If you missed it, take a listen to the fabulous James Austin Jr Trio while you check out the new surroundings. It's awesome. Stay tuned for future series at this location.
June 26th, Sunday, 3 - 6 PM — Barry Harris Institute of Jazz Tribute w Richard Clements and the Murray Wall 11th Street Bar Band at South Valley BBQ. Replay
This was a very special tribute to the Internationally renowned Jazz Pianist, Composer and Teacher Barry Harris. Barry Harris was responsible for changing many lives for the better and was a pianist who carefully preserved the language of bebop throughout a seven-decade career as a brilliant performer and influential teacher. Folks came together and honored his life and it was one of the best, enjoyable afternoon live music events ever.
July 10th, Return to Love - Jazz On a Summer Afternoon
Last year’s event was absolutely fabulous. Return to Love: an event that supports arts education and gives back to the community. The event will be taking place on the beautiful property of the Blanchard Mansion. The lineup of talented live music performers is sure to amaze you as we will have some amazing professionals and this year we will have an opening group of emerging stars.
John Lee Production and Friends.
Cyrus Chestnut -piano
Freddie Hendrix - trumpet
Steve Carrington - tenor sax
Sharel Cassity - alto sax
Tommy Campbell drums
John Lee - bass
Opening Performance by the Mecadon McCune “Argus Trio”
Ben Collins-Siegel - piano
Sam Konin - bass
Mecadon McCune - drums
100% of the proceeds go towards supporting access to arts and performances. Support a good cause while enjoying a great day of music. This is a charitable event that you don’t want to miss. This year, you are invited to bring your neighbors and friends, your picnic basket, tables, chairs and blankets. Rain or Shine. Recommended Donations $10 encouraged and collected on entry.
This event is hosted at the Patterson Foundation Blanchard House at 100 Blanchard Road, South Orange, NJ. Sponsored by the Patterson Foundation, John Lee Productions and Gregory Burrus Productions.
July 17, Sunday, 3 - 7:30 PM — Jazzy Music at the Hawthorne Avenue Farm, Newark, NJ
Gregory Burrus productions is proud to present our first live music concert at the Greater Newark Conservancy’s Hawthorne Avenue Farm in Newark, NJ. Come spend a day in nature with your family and friends at the Hawthorne Avenue Farm. This is a great opportunity to spend time outdoors and enjoy the farm driven fresh air. Get up close and personal with local farmers who are working hard to bring fresh produce to your community. Connect with your community and support local agriculture. Enjoy live music entertainment all day long with an afternoon of family fun with plenty of activities to keep everyone entertained. Check our website for details.
July 24 - August 7 - Jazz Jammin at the Gazebo - Brand New Series:
Sunday Jazz Series: Jazz Jamming at the Maplewood Springfield Ave Gazebo. Sunday’s 3:00 - 6:00 PM. 1682 Springfield Ave
The Sunday Jazz Series, produced by Gregory Burrus Productions and Springfield Avenue Partnership will take place at the Springfield Avenue Gazebo each weekend from Sunday July 24th - August 7th from 3 pm - 6 pm. (If any of these dates are rained out, that date will be rescheduled for August 14th). This event is designed to welcome local jazz bands and musicians to come together and enjoy playing jam sessions, while also inviting our community to come out and enjoy the music in the heart of the Hilton neighborhood.
The opening event on Sunday July 24th will feature about 10 local artisan vendors and a food truck, as well as some poetry readings and a dance performance from a local dance school. Vendors and performers to be announced, but please make sure to stay tuned for additional announcements about our upcoming Sunday Jazz Series.
You can find more information in local publications, on the Springfield Ave Marketing SAM Instagram pages (@springfield_avenue and on the SAM website (www.springfieldavenue.com) and at https://gregoryburrusproductions.com/events/.
More jamming locations and dates are coming soon.
Jazzy Nights are Back!!!! At South Valley BBQ and Lounge
Presenting Jazzy Nights in West Orange, NJ. Please join us for the continuation of our Jazzy Nights of sophisticated live music and more inside the redesigned South Valley BBQ Blue Room and outside on the wonderfully redesigned outdoor patio located directly behind the South Valley BBQ restaurant.
1st Fridays at South Valley BBQ and Lounge - outdoors on the newly remodel patio we will have live R&B music featuring the MPACK Band for your dining, drinking and dancing pleasure.
Enjoy a small taste of Jazzy Nights R&B:
3rd Fridays at South Valley BBQ and Lounge - outdoors on the newly remodel patio we will have live Jazz, Jazz and more Jazz like you like with some familiar faces and some new ones too.
Enjoy a small taste of Jazzy Nights Jazz:
We have already had a number of very successful Jazz and R&B performances aka Jazzy Nights since February so please come see what's going on. Jazzy Nights is happy that South Valley BBQ and Lounge agreed that we could bring this popular series to West Orange, NJ. The attendance has been spectacular so join us. No Cover, Free Parking, 2 DrInk or Food Order Minimum.
Weekday Live Music - Around the Towns Summer Live Music Series
Started in June and will continue throughout July are the following series.
Downtown Cranford Summer Sounds
I’m very happy to be back curating some wonderful performances in concert with the Downtown Cranford organization, Thursday eves 6 - 8:30 pm. Secure a meal from a local restaurant, bring your chairs, and join us at the clock.
City of Orange Farmers Market
Back by popular demand, very happy to be back curating this R & B jam session. This afternoon event has become a local favorite and is produced in conjunction with the City of Orange Recreation Department. Come shop and listen to some great music.
Read more about these events in our last blog post right here:
https://www.jerseyindie.com/blog/whats-going-on-in-my-neck-of-the-woods-for-june-2022
On demand, we will have some very special events coming your way. Check the website for updates. https://gregoryburrusproductions.com/events/
About the Author - Gregory Burrus
Gregory Burrus at Weequahic Park Feldman Middleton Jr. Community Center
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.