By Gregory Burrus | Posted Tuesday, February 11, 2020
Imagine 24 Hours of Live Jazz, all day and all night performed by some of the best local jazz musicians around. That was the goal, and last year for the South Orange 24 Hours of Music Jamboree we attempted once again to fill the Jazz On Sloan at the South Orange Gazebo venue with live Jazz music all day, all night, and yes, all of the next morning, too.
Our Promotional materials encouraged local residents and the general public to come visit South Orange, shop, and frequent local businesses. Town residents were encouraged to tweak their daily routines to take advantage of the live music all around South Orange. Event announcements were promoted by genre and by time-of-day, so prospective attendees were aware that whether they headed out for the morning, afternoon or evening, they should take advantage of the opportunity to listen to live music over the entire 24 hours.
24 Hours Of Music Lineup
Normally held in May each year, last year, due to inclement weather, it was conducted in the month of September. From the first event at noon on Sept. 7th to the last event, starting at noon on Sept. 8th, the live music performances ran for 24 consecutive hours.
The entry process to 24 Hours of Music was through an Open Call announced about 2 months before the date, where we solicited volunteer musicians and they were asked to perform at the following locations:
1. Jazz on Sloan at the South Orange Gazebo,
2. Sounds in Spiotta Park or
3. Outdoor business location Around South Orange.
The process of matching artist to performance location is usually on a first come, first served placement . Of course, a venue or a perfumer can request a specific location and if there is space, we assign them to their first choice.
The Jazz On Sloan at the South Orange Gazebo venue came about from the summer-long concert, Downtown After Sundown, and needing a way to focus and draw in potential attendees based on a specific agenda. We have a high concentration of Jazz Musicians in the area. This venue is smaller, more intimate, holds about 30 plus seats, and has lots of standing room, so it became a dedicated venue for Jazz.
Gazebo Fly Balloon Designs by Jacqueline Harmon Johnson
Jacqueline Harmon Johnson, the founder of Fly Balloon Designs, has for the second year in a row mastered the technique of using balloons to make venues look fabulous by creating balloon designs. It was a fitting beautiful design.
Jazz On Sloan at the South Orange Gazebo
Johnathan Fritz, Flamenco Guitarist
Jonathan Fritz is both a passionate stage performer and sought after session guitar player from New York City. As a self-taught player, he has mastered many guitar stylings. Jonathan travels the world playing for a wide range of audiences. He has toured with a diverse range of artists such as Lionel Richie and Richie Havens, and has performed with John Mayer, Josh Stone, Gavin Degraw, Rachel Platten, Billy Joel, Van Morrison and Jimmy Buffet, to name a few. Learn more at https://www.linkedin.com/in/jonathan-fritz-304937b
Lynette Sheard, Vocalist
Lynette Sheard has shared the stage with Grammy-winning musicians and Broadway stars including those in The Lion King and The Phantom of the Opera. She is a multi-talented and versatile vocalist with a five octave range and perfect pitch. She acts, produces, directs and is also a vocal coach. Her performances have been acknowledged in numerous publications including The NY Times, Broadway World, The Record, Hot House, The Patch and The Chronicle. The Star Ledger proclaimed that, “Her voice reaches deep into one’s soul and finds a soft spot.”
Tim Rodner and Bruce Tyler
Bruce Tyler explains that his love affair with the arts began at an early age. Born and raised in Montclair, Tyler pursued Music at Essex County College, graduating with an Associate’s Degree. He then studied drums with Carl Wolff, Andre Strobert, Freddie Waits, Charlie Per and many others at Jazz Mobile in New York. He later went on to graduate with a BA in Anthropology from Montclair State University.
To learn more about Tim Rodner, visit https://www.facebook.com/tim.rodner.
Sherry Gibson and Friends from NYC
Sherry Gibson and Friends from NYC Jamming in South Orange, NJ.
To learn more about Sherry Gibson, visit https://www.facebook.com/staylorgibson.
Jacquelyn Harmon Johnson Jazz Jam
Jamming with Jacquelyn Harmon Johnson. https://www.facebook.com/jacquejazzjohnson
Keeping the music alive all night were a number of late-night folks who last year and the year before loved to play in the wee hours of the morning…
Ian Eisenzweig Group
Ian Eisenzweig https://www.facebook.com/ilan.eisenzweig
Alex De Lazzari Group
Due to Darkness Stock photo from Giants of Jazz 22 at South Orange Performing Arts Center.
For the 2nd year in a row, Alex De Lazzari (Sax), Hank Allen-Barfield (Drums) and Griffin Fink (Bass) carried us overnight from 3 AM to 6 AM. Thank you, guys.
Alex De Lazzari (Sax) - Originally from Italy but growing up in the D.C. area, saxophonist and composer Alex De Lazzari brings his quintet for his debut performance at Germanos. Alex first picked up the saxophone at age 12, and, shortly after hearing a few John Coltrane records, was hooked. Now he is a freshman at William Paterson University where he studies with famed saxophonist Vincent Herring.
Griffin Fink (Bass) – Ridgewood, NJ, RHS senior Griffin Fink was recently selected as a Merit Winner by the National YoungArts Foundation for Jazz/Double Bass. Selected from a very competitive pool of applicants from 47 states, YoungArts winners gain access to one of the most comprehensive programs for emerging artists in the United States. Griffin plans to continue studying music at William Paterson University.
Band Of Strays - Lou Ledesma - Rhythm guitar
Band of Strays. “What's our story? Well, it remarkably similar for each of us. We each had been involved in music in our teens and it was always a strong undercurrent in our lives after we chose to dedicate most of our time to our families and careers. Now with kids grown and experiencing the need for creative expression - we turned back to music.” Read more from their Facebook page, here.
Patricia Walton
“Born in Germany, raised in New York and currently residing in New Jersey, Patricia Walton has been singing since she can remember. Her singing career started in school choir, while still in Germany. She was a soloist and member of the Mt. Sinai UCC choir, a member of One Accord, and, as a lead vocalist for several party/dance bands, has performed at various venues in New York, New Jersey and Pennsylvania. Currently, she performs both as a featured artist (Jazz) and as lead vocalist of MPack Band!” Read more here.
Jazz Breakfast Music - Hassenfeld’s
Closing out Jazz events at Jazz On Sloan at the South Orange Gazebo. https://www.facebook.com/barbara.hassenfeld
https://www.facebook.com/james.hassenfeld.1
Sponsor Rutgers Institute of Jazz Studies (IJS)
This year, thank you to the Rutgers Institute of Jazz Studies (IJS). The IJS is extending their community engagement mission of building and sharing jazz with us right here in South Orange, NJ.
Support South Orange Rescue Squad
This year, the nonstop music jamboree was hoping to bring town wide awareness to the current needs of the South Orange Rescue Squad. Most folks do not know that the South Orange Rescue Squad is a completely volunteer organization. These folks are a full-time support organization, providing selfless service and are always there when we need them. All are invited to contribute to the South Orange Rescue Squad by making a donation at https://www.southorangerescuesquad.org.
Thank You
And now thank you to all of you who performed in the 3rd Annual 24 Hours of Music. Over 120 musicians performed in 31 events across 16 musical genres to a couple hundred visitors that came to town and had some fun with us. It was a blast and we hope we can do it again next year. See you all around South Orange, NJ. Thanks to South Orange Village Center Alliance, South Orange Village, the musicians, supporters and volunteers that helped make it happen.
About Gregory Burrus
Gregory Burrus is a local live music ambassador, event planner, live music ambassador and community partner who curates, manages and promotes live music events in the local SOMA (South Orange, Maplewood) community, Northern NJ and New York Area. Gregory Burrus sits on a number of local boards and committees and is currently serving as a Board Member of Maplewood Community Music and is Vice President of Communications for Stevenson and Moses Boxing for Life nonprofit.
Year-round, Gregory Burrus also curates and produces: the Jazz973 live music jazz series at Clements Place Jazz for the Rutgers University Institute of Jazz Studies, the Jazzy Nights Live Music performances at the Speakeasy Style Essex Room of The Fox and Falcon Restaurant in South Orange, NJ and produces Live Music entertainment for South Orange’s Inkosi Cafe. During the Summer months, Gregory manages and promotes the South Orange Downtown After Sundown summer long live music concerts, the annual South Orange 24 Hours of Music Festival, and the June thru October South Orange Farmers Market Jazz Jam.
Tags: Gregory Burrus Around Town, 24 Hours of Music, Persaud Entertainment LLC, South Orange Village Center , Alliance, Live Music Ambassador, South Orange Rescue Squad, CC Minton.Jazz On Sloan at the South Orange Gazebo, jazz, blues , 3rd Annual 24 Hours of Music