Elmwood Culture Club Presents Nat Adderley, Jr. and MPack in a Jazzy Afternoon of Live Music (Saturday, May 21, 3-6pm)

By Gregory Burrus | Posted Monday, May 9, 2022

In celebration of Spring, the Elmwood Church lawn will come alive with the explosive sounds of jazzy live music as Elmwood Culture Club welcomes internationally acclaimed pianist, composer, songwriter and Grammy Winner Nat Adderley, Jr. and his Quartet. Kicking off this inaugural Jazzy Afternoon on the Lawn live music experience will be one of North Jersey’s dynamic and swinging R&B bands, MPack, led by the Groove Master himself Clarence Conover.

3 pm - 4:15 pm MPack Music
4:40 - 6: 00 pm Nat Adderley, Jr.

Join us for this Jazzy Music Experience!!!

Donations accepted.

This benefit event is outdoors at 135 Elmwood Ave, East Orange, NJ and open to the public, so bring your lawn chairs, come out and join us for a day of music, food, and fun!

The Nat Adderley, Jr. Quartet

The Nat Adderley, Jr. Quartet provides a unique jazz experience that you will also not want to miss. The Adderley name is an important one in music because it’s synonymous with jazz, swing, funk, spirit and musical excellence. Nat Adderley, Jr. keeps the torch burning, with a lineage from as far back as Multi-instrumentalist Cannonball Adderley (Mercy, Mercy, Mercy and in Mikes Davis Band), and Cornetist Nat Adderley (“Work Song” and Lionel Hampton’s big band).

Over time, Nat Adderley, Jr. has created his own historical legacy. With over 20 years as the musical director and songwriter for Luther Vandross, Nat wrote “The Wave” for Kirk Whalum, arranged Natalie Cole’s 1987 recording of “When I Fall In Love”, produced “Just Another Lonely Night” for Johnny Gill, arranged Aretha Franklin’s album Jump To It, produced Gloria Lynne’s album No Detour Ahead, and produced “That’s How Heartaches are Made” for The Temptations.

This Yale University graduate in recent years has performed in Beijing Blue Note, Singapore Kool Kats Club, in numerous venues in New York and New Jersey, and has headlined WBGO’s “Somerville (NJ) Jazz Festival” amongst others.

Elmwood is excited to have this history-maker performing some of the time-honored standards created by his family along with tunes that he created, wrote and performed with some of the top best selling, global recording artists.

MPack — Clarence Conover

MPack Live. Kicking off this inaugural Jazzy on the Lawn live music experience will be one of North Jersey’s extremely popular, dynamic and swinging R&B bands, MPack. MPack brings an explosive energy to an event that is guaranteed to rock this Elmwood Jazzy on the Lawn experience.

MPack is a band, a brand, and a musical production enterprise, consisting of multiple elements in an ever-evolving flow. It is the musical brainchild of longtime multi-instrumentalist Clarence Conover. Clarence, also known as the ‘Groove Master’, is a bandleader, bassist, guitarist, keyboardist, drummer and vocalist. Clarence founded MPack Music Productions over 4 decades ago with the motto “Life Changing Sounds.”

A product of the Philly sound, Clarence is a specialist in Funk, Jazz, Blues, Fusion, Neo-soul and R&B. Clarence has performed and or recorded with Patti LaBelle, Teddy Pendergrass, Grover Washington Jr., The Delfonics, Bo Diddley and more. Clarence and his band have performed at the Morris Museum, South Orange Performing Arts Center, South Valley Lounge, Jazz On Sloan, and Crossroads along with numerous other venues across the Tri-State area including many North Jersey town-sponsored annual live music outdoor series.

This bassist, guitarist, keyboardist, drummer and vocalist, when he’s not on stage, is in the studio devising new music with his MPack band for their fans. The Groove Master will be bringing along this dynamic band of like-minded musicians who have just provided some truly memorable and enjoyable live Jazzy music experiences at some recently sold-out Essex County venues.

Jazzy On the Lawn - Join Us

Come enjoy an afternoon of Jazzy live music among friends, family and the community. This is a great opportunity to come out and experience these very popular, live music musicians, a local food truck, and support the Elmwood Culture Club while you move and groove to some really great, live jazzy music on the lawn. Bring your memories, your singing voices, your dancing shoes and your lawn chairs, as this is an event you don't want to miss — the music will be absolutely amazing!

Please register and let us know you are joining us:
Nat Adderley Jr and MPack in a Jazzy Afternoon of Live Music 

About the Writer — Gregory Burrus, Live Music Ambassador

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   
https://www.jerseyindie.com/ji-blogger-gregory-burrus   
https://patch.com/users/gregburrus 

Interview with The City Limit

By Sonia Schnee | Posted Thursday, April 14, 2022

Stanhope, NJ band The City Limit is cooking up new music for 2022, drawing on a diverse range of influences, from blues to pop, rock, funk, jazz, and folk. I interviewed bandmates Scott Lewis, Anthony Ambrosio, Sean Farrelly, and Mike Casson twice last year to ask them about their future music plans. Just a little over a month ago, they teased on Instagram part of a new single, which we may get to hear on April 22nd when they perform at Newton, NJ's Greek's Bar. Then, on Saturday, May 14th, The City Limit will be traveling down south, performing for the first time in North Carolina at Wampus Cat Music Festival. 

In our interview, bandmates Scott, Anthony, Sean, and Mike reflected on the good parts of 2020/2021, plans for their new EP, what it’s like getting messages from international fans, and they gave some shout-outs to some very influential family members. Catch it all by watching our interview above or reading the transcript below. 

(Video and transcript have been edited for time and clarity.) 

Interview 2: December 2021 

SCOTT LEWIS: I'm Scott.

ANTHONY AMBROSIO: My name is Anthony. I play bass guitar.

SEAN FARRELLY: My name's Sean. I play drums.

MIKE CASSON: My name is Mike, and I play keyboards.

SCOTT LEWIS: And we are The City Limit.

Going back to the first interview (March 14, 2021), the day we did the interview, you said the night before you were recording a music video.

SCOTT LEWIS: Yeah! We recorded the music video for our last single "Wake Up Your Mind” [see above].

You had a friend from L.A. who was a videographer/cinematographer who came and filmed it. Tell me a little bit about that.

SCOTT LEWIS: Yeah, so he's a childhood friend of Anthony's.

ANTHONY AMBROSIO: Yeah, me and him were in bands together, grew up together playing music, and he went on the path of film. He worked in L.A., doing all sorts of odd jobs working in the industry. He really needed something for his portfolio, so he came out and basically did it for free. We had to pay for whatever expenses, but we didn't have to pay him anything. The video turned out awesome.

SCOTT LEWIS: He did such an amazing job with it.  

ANTHONY AMBROSIO: For no budget.

SCOTT LEWIS: Yeah, and it looks fantastic when you watch the video.

Yeah, it looks really, really aesthetically pleasing, with all the twinkle lights and the colors and everything.

SCOTT LEWIS: That was all to Steve [Stephen Joseph Craig] -- the director's -- credit.

ANTHONY AMBROSIO: Yeah, he set up everything.

SCOTT LEWIS: He sent me to Lowe's and I was like, "Get a bunch of lights." I'm like, "Alright" so I got a bunch of lights and then we strung 'em up and the rest was just his talent.

ANTHONY AMBROSIO: It was all in my garage, too. It worked out great.

You did a ton of shows then after that. Are there any that stand out, or do you have any general observations of what that was like during the pandemic?

ANTHONY AMBROSIO: You know what, we didn't notice the pandemic, per se. It was a little harder booking gigs that pay and stuff, but in terms of playing gigs, there were a lot of gigs out there to grab.

SCOTT LEWIS: They take a little bit more legwork to find now. It's a little bit more like you have to actively hunt them out, whereas before the pandemic, places were playing tug-of-war, like, "We want you to play." "No, we want you to play." "No, we want you to play." Now, it's a little bit more you searching them out. As he mentioned, they don't have as much money to play with anymore. Obviously, a lot of restaurants closed down during the lockdowns during the pandemic, so everyone's kind of financially struggling, so they just don't have as much money to play with. So, those things make being a performer or a gigging musician a little bit more difficult, but we just love playing together. We love playing on stage and playing our songs for people. So, despite the pay cut, we have not been deterred whatsoever. We're just as happy as ever to get on stage and play for people.

ANTHONY AMBROSIO: The upstate New York shows were definitely some of the better ones. There were festivals, a lot of people. A lot of fun.

SCOTT LEWIS: That one in Barryville.

ANTHONY AMBROSIO: Kenny's Cosmic Campout. That was good. And then, The Grateful Daze. Same area.

SCOTT LEWIS: So, we're hugely influenced by The Grateful Dead. We're all obsessed with The Grateful Dead. In upstate New York is this whole community of Deadheads up there that throw these great music festivals, and we got to be a part of two of them this year and one of them last year. Those are some of the most fun shows you ever played. Everybody's there for the same reason, which is just to play and listen to great music, and it's a very communal vibe. We were outsiders coming into it, and they were so welcoming to us. We're going to be back there again in 2022 at all those shows, so love upstate New York, love the whole Deadhead culture up there. It's a really, really great place to play music.

SEAN FARRELLY: We have some other potential gigs coming up that could be cool, too, that aren't just in the area, like down in North Carolina.

ANTHONY AMBROSIO: In North Carolina, we have a gig set.

SEAN FARRELLY: Wampus Cat Music Festival. We got selected to play in North Carolina at this festival, so we're going to be taking a road trip out there, and we have a couple of other gigs that we're working out in the Louisiana area and Virginia. So, we're trying to move southward with our music. That's something that we intended to do in 2020, but then, obviously, the carpet got pulled out from under everyone, so now we're excited to pick it back up.

SCOTT LEWIS: The Wampus Cat's going to be in late-May, and then we're going to try to be in the Louisiana area in mid-summer, sometime around there. One thing that we're learning as we go along in the years of being a band is plan your summers and stuff way in advance. In the past year, we were scrambled, like "Oh my God, summer's here. Let's find shows."

SCOTT LEWIS: By the way, if you see me popping up and sitting back down, I have a pot of gumbo I've been making since 2 o'clock in the afternoon over there, so I just keep running over to it and tending to it to make sure it doesn't get out of hand.

That sounds pretty good. Hey, do what you got to do!

SEAN FARRELLY: Scott likes to cook for us.  

SCOTT LEWIS: I need to feed my boys.

SEAN FARRELLY: It's one of his favorite pastimes.

ANTHONY AMBROSIO: It's the only way he's going to get us over his house, basically.  

SCOTT LEWIS: They're growing boys. I've gotta keep them nurtured.

Congratulations on Spotify! I saw that you got a lot of streams, a lot of followers in a lot of countries. That's pretty wild.

SCOTT LEWIS: Yeah, we've been trying to build our online following a little bit.

ANTHONY AMBROSIO: That's a hard thing to do.

SCOTT LEWIS: It is.

ANTHONY AMBROSIO: Emails and playlists and whatnot and curators. It takes a lot of work.  

[Keyboard player Mike Casson joins the interview.]

SCOTT LEWIS: Here is our piano prodigy extraordinaire.  

MIKE CASSON: How's it going?

We were just going over the past shows that you've done over the year. You guys have been really busy. Are there any that stick out in your mind that you particularly enjoyed?

MIKE CASSON: Yeah, there were a bunch. What was it, Riverfest?

ANTHONY AMBROSIO: That was a couple of years ago, but still. We were saying The Grateful Daze and Kenny's Cosmic Campout.

MIKE CASSON: Oh yeah, The Grateful Daze was really cool. We played at a brewery recently, too, that was really cool.

ANTHONY AMBROSIO: Yeah, Fort Nonsense Brewing Company had a grand re-opening. That was a Halloween show, too.

What are your plans in terms of new music? Is it a similar sound and feel compared to what you've done in the past?

ANTHONY AMBROSIO: Pretty similar sound and feel. We try to change it up, but we've got some songs in the works. Nothing ready to put on record yet, but we did record a single over this past summer that's ready to be released probably within the next month or so.

SCOTT LEWIS: Yeah, me and Anthony are kind of approaching the end of the writing process for this next record that we're going to start doing in 2022. I'm really excited about it because I feel like this next record, just based on the raw form of the songs we have now, it's going to be kind of like the final realization of what we've been trying to do with this band. Look at the last record, and it kind of has elements of the first record in it. This next one is going to be, I think, a total breaking new ground type of thing where it's going to be something completely fresh. It's going to be the four of us working like lockstep with each other as one cohesive unit. We're all going to be putting our creativity together in one, and that's going to be really fun to see.  

Clockwise: Mike Casson, Scott Lews, Sean Farrelly and Anthony Ambrosio recording at Backroom Studios in Rockaway, NJ.

Are you going back to Backroom Studios with Kevin [Antreassian]? 

SCOTT LEWIS: Yeah, he's like our George Martin, you know what I mean?

MIKE CASSON: He's really good.  

ANTHONY AMBROSIO: He works well with us. He knows us.  

MIKE CASSON: He's been doing it for a while with the band.

ANTHONY AMBROSIO: And he's very easy to work with. You say anything and he'll do it. Like, "Oh yeah, let's do it! Let's try it," you know?

SCOTT LEWIS: This will be our fourth session with him, and I just feel like now we have a bit of a shorthand and we have a rapport with him where we don't have to overexplain anything. He just kind of intuitively knows what to do for our band and our sound and our songs.

You guys didn't really stop during the pandemic. You kept going, staying really busy, and playing shows. Did you find that, in terms of the audience reaction, people were grateful to be able to be outside of their houses/apartments? Was there a good vibe? What was that audience reaction like?

ANTHONY AMBROSIO: People just started coming back out, especially when it got nice out. A lot of the stuff was outside. During the winter Scott and I were doing some acoustic stuff, or Mike and Scott were doing some acoustic stuff, and people just loved it. People were just trying to get out and live their lives again.

SCOTT LEWIS: I almost feel like now people are more grateful than ever for live music, you know what I mean? People went through a period of time when they were all locked in their houses streaming Netflix, and so now when they're at a place with live music, they appreciate it. It's Like, "Wow, life would be bleak without this." So there is that little thing. I think people are more excited for live music now than ever before.

ANTHONY AMBROSIO: Even for us, guys, we're guys who go to concerts all the time. We hadn't gone to any shows, but luckily all four of us together got to go see Hall & Oates this summer.  

SCOTT LEWIS: That was amazing!

ANTHONY AMBROSIO: It was down at PNC Bank Arts Center.

MIKE CASSON: That was a great night.  

ANTHONY AMBROSIO: A great little outing. It was the first concert of the last couple of years, sort of thing. 

SCOTT LEWIS: We're all into so many different kinds of music, but we all love pop music so much. To see one of the greatest pop music writing duos, to see them on stage, and they sounded as good as ever, it was really, really inspiring and cool.  

ANTHONY AMBROSIO: It was.  

MIKE CASSON: Daryl was getting mad at the sound guys, though. He kept on getting feedback.

ANTHONY AMBROSIO: We're sorry about that, Daryl.

SCOTT LEWIS: The sound sucks at PNC, and I'm so happy that Daryl held their feet to the fire on that one.

MIKE CASSON: He was getting mad, but they killed it, though. 

SCOTT LEWIS: I was getting mad.

SEAN FARRELLY: I didn't even mind spending the $14 on the beer.

What are your plans for 2022? You mentioned new music, the festivals. 

ANTHONY AMBROSIO: That's our biggest goal, to get some new music. We want to be back in the studio at some point, hopefully real soon.

SCOTT LEWIS: Yeah, we pretty much have like the next EP written out, and I'm personally so excited about it because I think that some of the songs on this next record are going to be our best ones yet. Just this new single alone that we recorded, we showed it to a few close friends and they were like, "This is better than anything from the last two records." In my mind, I'm like, "Well, wait 'til you see what else is on the next EP. It's going to be even better than this." So, I think that we're just keeping that upwards trajectory going, of getting better and better with the songs. I'm really excited. 

For the new EP, do you have any collaborations in mind?

SCOTT LEWIS: The last record, we worked with two amazing musicians named Earl Maneeine and Jennifer Devore who are members of... It's actually a funny story. So Earl is an amazing violinist, and his wife, Jennifer, is an amazing cellist. They're part of this quartet called The Vitamin String Quartet. They do these amazing tributes to great songwriters like Elliott Smith and Fiona Apple and all these great songwriters who we admire. So I'd been listening to them since I was in high school, and then one day we were talking to Kevin [Antressian], like "We need strings" and he was like, "Oh, I have some string players I could hook you up with." He gave us the contact info, we started talking, we added each other on Facebook, and like a week after we added each other on Facebook, I was bored and I was looking at their Facebook and it says "Violinist and cellist at Vitamin String Quartet." I was like, "Wait, WHAT?" I didn't even know these guys who I had been talking to about the project and working on our songs were from this quartet I had been listening to for like 10-12 years and who I loved so much. That was a really cool, full-circle moment. So, that was on the last record.

We don't really know who we're going to work with on this next one. We're a very tight-knit group when it comes to recording. Like, we usually don't let anybody in the studio other than us, but as we get to a song and we say, "Oh, this needs this instrument, this needs that instrument..." For the first record, we hired a saxophone player. So we kind of play by ear and see what the song needs, and then we kind of hunt out someone to play the part.

Our first drummer on our first record was a good friend of ours — and is still a close friend of the band — Sean Meyers. He has this great project called Gates to the Morning. On the first record on our song "Wreckage", track 3 on our first EP, there's this is a line where it says "Every time it rains so hard, a little bit of us weathers away" and when I say the word "rain", Sean did a rain stick, so “Every time it rains” it goes "tshhhh." We forced Kevin to take that recording of the rain stick.

SEAN FARRELLY: Yeah, take the rain stick and put it in every other release.

SCOTT LEWIS: Every single release we ever do, like 40 years from now, we're going to be using the rain stick.

ANTHONY AMBROSIO: It's in the new single. You'll hear it.

MIKE CASSON: It's subtle.

ANTHONY AMBROSIO: It's very subtle.

MIKE CASSON: But it's nice.

SCOTT LEWIS: Basically, we want, 40 years from now, to still have Sean have a credit on our record and he hasn't talked to us in like 30 years but we just want him to be there, just so he opens the record and he's like, "These idiots." So, we're looking forward to seeing how we can utilize the rain stick.  

ANTHONY AMBROSIO: This new EP, I am pretty sure on one track there is going to be some sort of instrument. Something. We don't know what yet, but something will be there, just for fun, you know? Horns or something.

MIKE CASSON: I personally think it's cool to collab with people that you like in the local scene.

ANTHONY AMBROSIO: Oh yeah, definitely. 

MIKE CASSON: Because there's so many talented people that we know that, you know, a lot of people, sometimes we get caught up in being a band and just focusing on what the band should sound like, but at the end of the day, we're just trying to get our music out there to as many people as possible, and sometimes a collab can just take a good song and make it something special. I definitely am open to that.

SCOTT LEWIS: Me, too. 

MIKE CASSON: If we know the people that would fit, you know?

ANTHONY AMBROSIO: It's not planned. It just kind of gets figured out as the process is happening.  

Since Spotify is so international, do you ever get messages from people in different parts of the country or different parts of the world that are surprising?

SCOTT LEWIS: We got a really lovely review from a music blog in Mexico, and we had to use Google Translate to understand what they were saying. It said something to the effect of, "This is a great blend of pop, funk, blues, disco" and I was like, "I guess there is disco in there." They were like, "You've gotta have this in your music library." As we're reading out the Google Translate, we were like, "These guys are so nice." So there's been little instances of that. We're going to try to have that same outreach with the next single.

ANTHONY AMBROSIO: We've been working with a radio promotion company called Twin Vision, and they were the ones that were helping us spread it around. We're going to be working with them with this new single as well. So hopefully we get the same kind of feedback with people reaching out.

SEAN FARRELLY: We're hoping they remember us from the last one, so they see that we released a new one and will be like, "Oh yeah, I remember these guys. We'll check it out."

Where are they based?

ANTHONY AMBROSIO: They're based out in Brooklyn. They work with everyone all over the country, but their main offices are in Brooklyn. They found us. We played at Rockwood Music Hall two years ago. They searched the website and found us through the website, listened to our music, and reached out to us about helping us promote shit, but we didn't have anything out at the time, so we used them last year and we reached out again this year for the new single. So, hopefully, it works out.

Is there anyone who you'd like to give a shout-out to?

ANTHONY AMBROSIO: I’d like to give a shout-out to "the two Jim’s." Sean's father and Mike's father, Jim Casson and Jim Farrelly. They come to every show we play.

SEAN FARRELLY: Every show. No matter where it is.

ANTHONY AMBROSIO: They just show up.

SCOTT LEWIS: Jim squared.

MIKE CASSON: They're a good duo.

ANTHONY AMBROSIO: Excellent duo..

SCOTT LEWIS: We've had this pipe dream of a photoshoot where we dress up our dads as us. 

ANTHONY AMBROSIO: And they're the band, they just wear outfits we happen to wear. Sweater vests and beards and stuff.

SCOTT LEWIS: Me in like a beer-stained shirt. Anthony in a snap-on jacket. Mike in a Nintendo T-shirt with a beanie on.

ANTHONY AMBROSIO: Man bun.

MIKE CASSON: I’ll wear something ridiculous, like tigers…

SCOTT LEWIS: Like a muscle shirt covered in watermelons.  

ANTHONY AMBROSIO: Jim's gotta start working out to do this.

SCOTT LEWIS: Didn't we have an idea where, for some reason, we were going to be in the background? Like, you know in a cartoon when a bunch of characters poke their heads around a corner and their heads are stacked? It's gonna be us looking around the corner at our dads as us.  

MIKE CASSON: It’s a good idea for a cover.

SCOTT LEWIS: We were really high when we came up with this idea, but it sounded great at the time.

Yeah, that could be the artwork for the cover.

ANTHONY AMBROSIO: We can't help that we're geniuses.

SCOTT LEWIS: If you saw that album cover, wouldn't you go, "I vaguely want to take a listen to this"?

ANTHONY AMBROSIO: You'd shut it off after the first 20 seconds.

SCOTT LEWIS: But at least you started it!

I would be intrigued, for sure.

ANTHONY AMBROSIO: Even if they didn't have their shirts on. Actually, our dads are almost in better shape than us. 

SCOTT LEWIS: Our dads are in way better shape than us.

Are any of them musical? Would they ever have a guest spot?

ANTHONY AMBROSIO: My dad's actually a drummer, almost like a casual hobby. When I was a kid, he'd put on Journey CDs and just play along to them. So that's kind of what got me into it. I started jamming on drums. He got me a guitar and a bass and whatnot. But other than that, not really.

SCOTT LEWIS: My dad learned "Badge" by Cream on the bass when he was, like, 25 and then never did anything else musical again.

SEAN FARRELLY: My dad kind of knows how to play drums because I've shown him a couple of things in recent past years. I think he just needs to get over the confidence part.

ANTHONY AMBROSIO: He is a black belt, though.

SEAN FARRELLY: Yeah. He needs to get out and just play in front of people. He is a black belt, though. I know that's not really a musical instrument.

MIKE CASSON: My dad did choir when he was younger and he'll sing, kind of. He's not into music really, but he's always had a great taste in music. I owe him a lot for all the insane catalogs of different genres, of all the classics that he had showed me growing up, that has just seeped into your subconscious and then you grow up and it’s kind of influences you.

ANTHONY AMBROSIO: Same with me. My dad introduced me to so much music. Never was a huge musician, but he was just a huge music fan.  

Shout-out to them!

ANTHONY AMBROSIO: Oh yeah. Other than that, everyone else can suck it, I would have to say, right?

A shout-out to our friend, Nicole. She helped us a lot.  

SCOTT LEWIS: Oh yeah. Let's give a shout-out to Nicole! She's always there for us, even when we are not there for ourselves. We really appreciate that.

ANTHONY AMBROSIO: She helps us with a lot of things. She's gotten us gigs. She's taken pictures.

MIKE CASSON: Helped us book.

SCOTT LEWIS: She's a jack-of-all-trades.

MIKE CASSON: Yeah, she's great.

ANTHONY AMBROSIO: She's a good friend.

MIKE CASSON: Shout-out to Nicole. Nicole's cool. She's a good friend.

OK, well, I will let you guys enjoy your gumbo and cornbread and pizza.

ANTHONY AMBROSIO: We've been waiting for the gumbo for hours.

SCOTT LEWIS: That's not true, it's ready. Don't listen to him! We should do this once a year. This is fun. This is nice.

Hey, it's always good to catch up.

MIKE CASSON: We should make a Patreon.  

SCOTT LEWIS: We should.

MIKE CASSON: We should.

ANTHONY AMBROSIO: I was thinking an OnlyFans.

MIKE CASSON: We could do an OnlyFans.

ANTHONY AMBROSIO: They think it's nudes and they click on it and it's one of our shitty songs. “We paid for this shit?!”

SCOTT LEWIS: They think it's nudes but they click on it and it's just me making gumbo for 11 hours straight.

ANTHONY AMBROSIO: And me yelling at him. "Where's dinner? Where's my dinner?!" 

SCOTT LEWIS: I’d pay for that. I’d watch that.

Yeah, you should do that on YouTube! What do they have? The yule log that plays in a loop for 24 hours?

SCOTT LEWIS: It’s Scott stirring gumbo.

SEAN FARRELLY: I love that idea!

ANTHONY AMBROSIO: We'll give you royalties.

You can have that, and then people can tip you along the way.

MIKE CASSON: Livestreaming on Twitch.tv.

ANTHONY AMBROSIO: With a City Limits track on repeat in the background.

SCOTT LEWIS: We'll give you a producer's credit, Sonia. 

Discovering the Live Music of Alex Desrivieres aka AlleyCatSax and the Harmonic Convergence Band

By Gregory Burrus | Posted Sunday, December 12, 2021

One of the great things about being in the live music productions and promotions business is the ability to watch musicians create new or adapt a standard tune into something unique and wonderful. Having booked over 100 bands a year, I get to listen to many bands and many genres of music. When you are sitting in the back of an event, you start seeing the audience heads bopping, toes tapping and sometimes they singing along.

Luckily for me, I had an audience member converse with me about music genres and eventually recommend a band. Eventually I listened to Alex Desrivieres aka AlleyCatSax and his Harmonic Convergence Band. What a treat! I loved the sound and booked him / his band when I could throughout these pandemic times. He plays some pretty cool music. Take a listen.

Harmonic Convergence in Downtown South Orange Live Music Concerts

A number of folks started coming out whenever he performed and wanted to know more about Alex and his band. So, as the world inches toward our new normal, we caught up with Alex and asked a few questions about what’s happening in his musical life.

First off, love the name — AlleyCatSax! Where did that come from?

Well, it's a funny story. The name comes from a nickname I got by chance back in high school. My band director gave me a solo about 10 minutes before we went on stage and then forgot my name when announcing me on stage and introduced me as "alley-cat" and it just kind of stuck since then.

What is Harmonic Convergence?

Harmonic Convergence is a project I started after completing my last cruise ship contract. I had experienced so many new cultures and styles of music that I really wanted to have a group of people who shared a love of mixing genres, cultures, and pushing boundaries. As for the name, at the time I was watching a cartoon called "Avatar: Legend of Korra" and there was an episode where there was a phenomenon going on called "harmonic convergence" where the spirit realm and the earth realm were bridged. I couldn't help but think to myself "that's what it feels like when I play music. That's what I want it to feel like when others hear me play music." The fact that it has the musical term "Harmony" which embodies how things sound as one; and "converge" when things come together, be it through conflict and resolution, exchange, etc., the title expresses a lot of what I try to achieve in music. Who says you can't learn from cartoons hahaha

What makes up the band?

For this band, you need to have open ears, first and foremost. I like to take things into different directions often on a whim. I might hear something in the ride or an idea in the guitar and that will become the basis for a whole new direction for a tune. Every tune is a journey even if it has some clear basis to it. I don't like to be tethered to a preconceived idea. Everything is but a moment in time and goes just as quickly as it comes. Best to be present.

The guys I play with, Gordon, Ben, Ian, Ilan... they've been with me through the evolution of my philosophy and we've created some great music on a whim. Sometimes I just shout a progression and they are right there and it'll change and develop just like a baby into an adult all in the few minutes we play.

It makes it interesting when I play with new folks who have their own styles and approaches. I love playing with new people, that's how we learn, through sharing and interacting. But, we have to be open to conflicting ideas. Sometimes choosing to challenge to be flexible or to stand their ground. It's all a conversation in real time.

Where are you headed, musically, professionally, etc. in your live music journey?

That's a good question. I don't really know haha. I just want to create. Right now I'm getting an Artist Diploma in classical Oboe and English Horn. It's an opportunity to explore a new way of thinking in music while honing my craft on a secondary instrument. 

I'd like to write and record more music and generally play more with people. Right now I'm exploring a lot of new territory between Jazz, western classical, and Indian classical music. Probably my dream job would be to write for video games while also performing. Video games exposed me to so many different instruments and styles of music. It's also a hobby of mine, so to combine the two would be great.

Has the pandemic affected your musical journey? 

Definitely! I had originally planned to do a few more cruise ship contracts, but that was not possible due to the pandemic. I was also trying to make a few other moves to try my hand at booking a tour, something I still have yet to do. But, the pandemic gave me a new opportunity to sit still and try to figure things out here at home which has been a blessing. If that didn't happen I wouldn't be having this conversation with you. I wouldn't have had the opportunity to go back to school. I've made new connections and reconnected with others so there have been a lot of positive things that have happened which is what I choose to focus on rather than the losses I've taken and the changes I've had to make. 

We are always learning. I'm only 28, so I'm still a baby in terms of life experience. I had other musical plans, too, in terms of other projects I wanted to record and other things I want to try, but they are not off the table, I'm just going with the flow.

What else are you working on?

Well, right now I'm working on a few different writing projects, a tribute to some of my favorite video game composers and another batch of original music, but I'll cross that when I come to it. I've recorded with a few different local artists in the last couple of months across a variety of genres and I'm looking forward to hearing how those come out.

While this interview is about the jazz band — are you into other musical genres or activities?

Too many to list haha. Like I mentioned, I love film and video game music. If I put my phone on random you'd hear music from all over the world in the first 30 min. Over the summer I went to an Arabic concert and started doing some research into their musical traditions. I also take private lessons on sitar to better understand Indian classical music. There is just so much out there and I'll never learn it all in my lifetime, but that doesn't mean I won't try haha.

Anything else you want your audience to know about  your music?

Sometimes the music will be clear and easy to digest, sometimes it won't, but be open to feel whatever it is you feel as that is your human spirit connecting with something much bigger than yourself. 

What's the best way to hear your music online?

You can find me on Spotify under "Alexandre Desrivieres" or on YouTube you can find some of my videos of fun projects I put together or clips from live shows.

What's the best way to contact or book you?

If you go to my website alleycatsax.com you can contact me there. All of my contact information is there!

Final Thoughts 

While the busy summer season is over, and we start booking more live music, I am excited to state that we at Jazz973 have booked Harmonic Convergence into Clements Place Jazz this season and for the 2022 season, so please join us.

About the Author

Gregory Burrus is a Passionate Community Advocate, Live Music Producer, Reporter, and Writer about local events and happenings In and  Around Essex County, NJ. Showcasing, photographing, videotaping events and creative people as they occur around town while living life every day to the fullest.

My mission is to help people, live music bands and local nonprofits reach their goals and accomplish their missions while enjoying the day to day process of life. Are you ready for your interview? Let’s connect! http://gregoryburrusproductions.com.

Bernie Williams-Gil Parris Quartet with Baker Street Trio Knock it Out of The Park at the Woodland in Maplewood

By Gregory Burrus | Posted Monday, November 1, 2021

Maplewood, NJ - The Woodland 

A very special event took place in a historic, very beautiful and very spacious 1930 Georgian Revival-style mansion with an adjoining auditorium known now as The Woodland. It was completed in 1930 as an elegant home for the Maplewood Woman’s Club and has served as a hub for Maplewood Township's cultural and civic life for over eight decades. 

The Great Hall at The Woodland 

The Woodland was designated a local historic landmark in 2014 and this architectural jewel houses two unique spaces — The Parlor and The Great Hall. These venues are used frequently for public events. Tonight, the Woodland was beautifully decked out for this very important live music performance. 

The Bernie Williams-Gil Parris Quartet Come To Town

On October 22, a unique and powerful set of live music performances added to The Woodland’s wonderful historical legacy. Four-time World Series Champion and five-time All Star New York Yankee Baseball legend Bernie Williams was coming to Maplewood-South Orange, NJ. 

The excitement was in the air as Bernie Williams, the former Yankee Baseball player, now a guitar virtuoso/Latin Grammy Nominee, was coming to perform in the Great Hall at the Woodland.  Teamed up with long-time friend and fellow musician, guitarist, Grammy Nominee and bandleader Gil Parris, the expectations were high and you could feel the music in the air. 

Smooth Jazz Productions

Rich Engel is a New Jersey resident who has for decades been involved with Smooth Jazz in NY and “Smooth Cruises.'' For us local folks, Rich was the Owner of Live At Nite Sound, Producer of Smooth Cruise N.Y.C., created the Angela Bofill Experience stage show, and produced this event. He produced and released Angela Bofill "Live From Manila" CD on the independent Black Angel label. Also, he produced the German release Saundra Records "Bigfoot " featuring our local musicians Bassist John Lee and Drummer Jerry Brown along with Danny Toan. The night’s programming became my favorite theme of jazz across the generations with a fabulous opening act by local up and coming jazz group The Baker Street Trio.

Opening Act - The Baker Street Trio 

This was a genius move, as the Baker Street Trio consists of 3 young teenagers ages 14, 15 and 16. They began playing together through Montclair's Jazz House Kids.

“The trio was formed in the Fall of 2020 out of these young musicians' love for jazz and the need to be able to play together -- safely, outdoors. They played a standing gig through the Fall and Winter of 2020 on a street corner on Baker Street in Maplewood Village, and in doing so during these tough times entertained and brought the joy of jazz to countless appreciative audiences.” - Lisa Mainardi

Quick Background -  The Baker Street Trio

The Baker Street Trio with Bassist Ben Ruebens filling in at Jazz On Sloan, South Orange, NJ

I encountered the group during various events this year like the Maplewood Porchfest, the 24 Hours Of Music Jamboree, and the Baker Street Trio has also performed for me in South Orange. See Baker Street Trio Debuts in Summer Saturdays at Jazz On Sloan St. 

My comments upon hearing them: “Baker Street Trio—3 teenagers (14, 15, and 17) will be making a serious mark on Jazz for a long time. These young cats were killing it... After listening to them perform a number of tunes — if you closed your eyes, you would've thought they had way more experience than their actual ages combined.  These young folks were swinging hard. I highly recommend all jazz fans should check them out whenever, wherever you can."

Hence, I for one was very happy to see these young dedicated jazz musicians opening for the Bernie Williams-Gil Parris Quartet. 

The Baker Street Trio with Ace Williams

Introduced by the guest MC, Maplewood Mayor Frank McGehee, The Baker Street Trio, Ben Collins-Siegal, Ben Schwartz and Ryoma Takenaga, came out strong and performed a thunderous tune “The End of a Love Affair” by Edward Redding. It was fast moving and grabbed the audience by the ears as it was a perfect engaging opening song that said there is nothing timid or young about us, we are here to play! 

For a jazz lover, their next two tunes were a tribute to multiple Grammy winner Roy Hargrove and it was a perfect tribute. Roy was born Oct 16, 1969 and passed Nov 18, 2018 and will be loved and remembered by the Jazz community forever. Joining in this tribute was the very talented teenage trumpeter Ace Williams, son of a Maplewood resident, the award winning performer/composer Jazz tenor Saxophonist Willie Williams. They performed Roy’s tunes “Top of My Head” and “Strasbourg/St. Denis.” The tunes were played to perfection and the audience expressed their approval with long, loud cheering and clapping. 

Bernie Williams-Gil Parris Quartet

Next up were the event headlinders, the Bernie Williams-Gil Parris Quartet,  a true super group with the legendary “World’s Most Dangerous Bassist” Will Lee and the multitalented drummer and vocalist Josh Dion. 

Bernie Williams - Guitar 

Bernie Williams is a classically trained guitarist who plays and composes music with influences that include jazz, classical, pop, Brazilian, and Latin sounds. Bernie stated that he “became this musician in great part due training and mentorship of Gil Parris who let [him] sit in on jams all over town for the past 17 years.”  

Gil Parris - Lead Guitar  

Gil is an American Grammy-nominated rock, blues, jazz and pop guitarist. After briefly attending the Berklee School of Music because, as his Mother said in this New York Times article, “Mrs. Parris conceded she was '‘a little worried'‘ when her son returned home with photocopies of lecture notes and said he would ‘sit in his room’ and teach himself the school's jazz guitar curriculum.'' 

Parris then left to tour Europe as part of a musical troupe performing Jesus Christ Superstar before becoming a recording artist. Parris has released six solo albums and played collaboratively with over 20 other groups/artists. He has recorded and toured both as a solo artist and as a sideman with major artists including Dr. John, Blood, Sweat & Tears, Diane Schuur, David Mann, Billy Vera, Bobby Caldwell, Toni Braxton, Sonny Fortune and Kenny Barron, to name a few. 

Will Lee - Bass 

I was going to say “who’s Will Lee”, then my research showed that I heard Lee many times before. Trumpeter Randy Brecker called Lee out of a class one day and invited him to audition for Dreams. In New York, Lee's career as a session musician flourished, and he toured with many artists. In 1982, Lee became one of the original members of The World's Most Dangerous Band, the house band on NBC's Late Night with David Letterman. He holds the distinction of playing with Paul Shaffer, on both Late Night and The Late Show, longer than any other member of the CBS Orchestra. Highlights also include getting a lifetime achievement award from Bass Player magazine, playing with many luminaries such as all The Beatles -- George Harrison at Royal Albert Hall, Paul McCartney at The Concert For NYC, D’Angelo, Chaka Khan, Phoebe Snow, James Brown and more. 

Josh Dion -  Drums and Vocals

Josh Dion was born at the tail end of the disco funk era, when popular radio bore the sounds of Quincy Jones, Michael Jackson, and “four on the floor” drum beats! Raised in Storrs, CT, Josh started playing his father's drums before he even started kindergarten. Dion is a singing drummer who made his first impression in New York in February 2004 at Blue Note. Josh was noticed by jazz guitarist Chuck Loeb, who offered him an opportunity to be seen and heard by a whole new level of the music audience. From that platform, he has gone on to work with some of the major brand names of the music world: Candy Dulfer, Spyro Gyra, Will Lee, Pat Martino, Jeff Kashiwa, Jason Miles, Anthony Jackson, Edgar Winter, Randy Brecker, Bob James, Eric Marienthal, Til Bronner, Jim Beard, saxophonist Kim Waters and on and on. 

This night, as was noted by a few attendees, was not just a smooth jazz concert, as the band played a mix of blues, funk, jazz, rock and even some New Orleans type jazz. They performed a mix of classic songs with creative arrangements that brought back many memories. One of my favorites was Rick James’s “Give It To Me Baby” that was innovative but right on point. They also performed some original material that was very entertaining and were instant hits with the very attentive and involved crowd. 

The night in review was outstanding, Bernie was smooth and mellow, Gil Parris unbelievable on guitar, Will Lee was an absolute beast on bass and Josh Dion singing and drumming was simply off the chain. The singing and drumming was amazing. It was a fabulous performance. At the end of the night, the audience wanted more and they were called back for an encore tune that did not disappoint, and we clapped and enjoyed tremendously.  Truly, it was a wonderful performance and a night to remember. 

Mayor Frank McGehee 

Closing the night, Mayor Frank McGehee thanked folks for coming out and reminded them they were just steps away from the most diverse choices in eating right here in Maplewood, so please enjoy the town on your way home. 

 Gregory Burrus with The Baker Street Trio and Ace Williams 

Gregory Burrus is a local live music producer, promoter, event planner and community partner that curates, manages and promotes live music programs around Essex County.  

Jazz973 Hosts Mike Lee Family Band and Friends introducing Violinist Jacquie Lee (Wed., Oct. 20, 7PM)

By Gregory Burrus | Posted Tuesday, October 19, 2021

One of the things I love about live music is the ability to create, and the creation takes place over years and truly over generations. Jazz across the generations is a process that I love to read about in a historical sense. It was the 1920's that saw the emergence of many famous women musicians including African-American blues singer Bessie Smith (1894–1937), who inspired singers from later eras, Billie Holiday (1915–1959) and Janis Joplin (1943–1970).

In our last Jazz973 event, we explored generations of Jazz as we went from a 19-year-old woman pianist leading a band that was anchored by a 94-year-old male bassist. Truly a night of Jazz Across the Generations, and what a swinging night of Jazz it was, which will be recapped in an upcoming article.

Next up at Jazz973 at Clements Place Jazz for the Rutgers Institute of Jazz Studies we present Generations Of Jazz in the making. It is a true family affair with help from a few friends when Jazz973 Presents “Mike Lee Family Band Introducing Violinist Jacquie Lee.” The result will be future musicians creating beautiful jazz music for many more generations. As history in the making, here' s a background of these wonderful stellar musicians making their mark on the jazz scene.

Jacquie Lee, Violin

Jazz973 at Clements Place Presents Mike Lee Family Band Introducing Jacquie Lee at Rutgers Institute of Jazz Studies.

Jacquie Lee is being introduced to the jazz scene in a big way. The Jazz973 program at Clement’s Place is proud to present the Mike Lee Family Band as they introduce Jacquie Lee at the Rutgers Institute of Jazz Studies.  In 2019 at Garfield Middle school Jacquie, 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 honed her musicianship. The following stellar list of musicians will perform in this wonderful event featuring Jacquie Lee on Violin. 

Julian Lee, Sax

Photo by Adam Z.

Julian Lee is quickly establishing himself as one of the most sought after and versatile saxophonists of his generation. He is the recipient of the 2017 Lincoln Center Emerging Artist Award from Jazz At Lincoln Center, and has performed both internationally and nationally with a wide array of critically acclaimed artists, including Wynton Marsalis, Christian McBride, The Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra, and Jon Batiste.

Julian hosted the late night jam session at Dizzy’s Club in Jazz at Lincoln Center from 2015 until 2019, playing with countless of the finest musicians on the New York scene. In addition to headlining his own projects at Dizzy’s, he has played at the Blue Note, Jazz Standard, Birdland, Newport Jazz Festival, and Monterey Jazz Festival.

Julian handles the Alto, Tenor, and Soprano saxophones with equal prowess, along with doubling on clarinet and flute. This unique skill set, along with his sight-reading abilities, has allowed him to play in the world’s finest big bands. Along with the Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra, Julian has performed with the Christian McBride Big Band, Mingus Big Band, and the Dizzy Gillespie All-Star Big Band. Julian is a member of Mwenso and The Shakes, a multinational collective led by singer, dancer, composer and entertainer, Michael Mwenso.

Julian completed his undergraduate studies at the Juilliard School, where he had the honor of studying with a master saxophonist.

Read more: https://www.julianleemusic.com/about

Matthew Lee, Drums

Photo by Jazz House Kids.

In 2015, Matthew Lee was a member of one of the premier young bands in the nation, the award-winning Jazz House Big Band directed by Julius Tolentino. The Big Band is composed of top high school jazz musicians from across New Jersey who are selected through competitive auditions. The pinnacle of Jazz House Kids ensemble programs, the Big Band participates in a number of high-profile performances, festivals, competitions and recording sessions throughout the year and most recently backed up the Christian McBride Trio and percussionist Sheila E.

In addition to performing at this event at the widely renown Blue Note Jazz Club, Matt at his young high school age has performed in the Giants of Jazz after party in the South Orange Performing Arts Center and during his budding career played alongside seasoned professional musicians such as Roy Hatgrove, Freddie Hendrix, John Lee and many more.

Read more: http://bluenotejazzfestival.com/2015/05/jazz-house-kids-presents-the-jazz-house-big-band/

Rebecca Harris-Lee, Violin

Rebecca Harris-Lee has been a mainstay in the New York musical scene for several years. She has performed with orchestras and chamber ensembles across the region, ranging from the NJ Festival Orchestra, the Northeastern Pennsylvania Philharmonic, and the Brooklyn Philharmonic, to appearances on Broadway.

Ms. Harris-Lee began her studies with Linda Cerone at the Cleveland Institute of Music as a recipient of the Margaret Randall scholarship. She received degrees from the Oberlin Conservatory and the Cleveland Institute, studying under Stephen Clapp and Donald Weilerstein.

An active chamber musician throughout her career, Ms. Harris-Lee has appeared with members of the Cavani Quartet, Eunice Podis, as well as numerous performances with her father, cellist Alan Harris. She was principal second violin of the Ohio Chamber Orchestra and an active freelance performer in Cleveland prior to moving to the New York area.

In addition to her performance career, she maintains an active teaching studio in Montclair. Also an avid runner, Rebecca has participated in several marathons, including New York and Boston. She has three wonderful children with her husband, saxophonist Mike Lee.

Read more: https://www.madisonstringquartet.com/rebecca-harris-lee

Mike Lee, Sax

Originally from Cleveland, Ohio, saxophonist Mike Lee has established himself in the New York City/Northern New Jersey area for many years. He balances a thriving performing career with a distinguished teaching resume. He performs regularly in New York City as a member of a wide array of jazz ensembles. His recent associations include The Jimmy Heath Orchestra, The Dizzy Gillespie Orchestra, Wallace Roney’s Universe Orchestra, The Oliver Lake Big Band, The Loston Harris Trio, The Nat Adderley Jr. Quartet, Josh Evans Big Band, Dave Stryker, Frank Lacy, TS Monk, and The Roy Hargrove Big Band. He performs regularly at venues such as The Bluenote, Dizzy’s Club Coca-Cola, Smalls, The Jazz Gallery, Fat Cat, and Bemelman’s Bar at the Carlyle Hotel.

Recent tours have taken him up and down the East Coast, to Italy, France, California and Beijing, China. Mike Lee is Professor of Jazz Saxophone at The John J. Cali School of Music at Montclair State University. In 2009, Lee helped found and develop Jazz House Kid’s in-house jazz education program. As the instructor of the first class (2009) at the Jazz House and Director of the JHK Summer Workshop (2010-2012) he oversaw the growth of the program from one class to a thriving jazz school. Mike’s private students have also excelled winning national awards from the Grammy Band, Next Generation Jazz Orchestra, Downbeat Magazine, and Young Arts. He has had several students go on to attend The Juilliard School, Berklee College of Music, Manhattan School of Music, William Paterson, Rutgers, Miami University, and Northwestern University. Lee has presented clinics and workshops throughout the country. Mr. Lee is endorsed by Conn-Selmer saxophones and Vandoren mouthpieces/reeds.

Lee’s musical accomplishments are shared and enjoyed by his musical family. Along with his wife, Violinist Rebecca Harris-Lee, they are raising three active young musicians. Their oldest son, saxophonist Julian, a graduate of The Juilliard School, has a thriving career in and around New York City having performed with ensembles including the Mingus Big Band, Wynton Marsalis Quintet, and the Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra.

Read more: https://mikeleejazz.com/bio/

Liany Mateo, Bass

Liany Mateo, a 19-year-old jazz bassist from Jersey City, NJ, has already studied and performed with some of the country’s top names in jazz. While in high school, she studied under renowned bassist Ben Wolfe. Through her involvement with the New Jersey Performing Arts “Jazz for Teens” program, she has been able to work with vocalist Jazzmeia Horn, saxophonists Mark Gross and Wayne Escoffery, and drummer Alvester Garnett. Liany has received numerous honors as an aspiring jazz musician. 

In 2016, she had the honor of performing with an all-star band that included drummer Jerome Jennings and pianist Benito Gonzalez in Newark, NJ, Sarah Vaughan’s hometown, during the U.S. Postal Service’s ceremony unveiling of the Sarah Vaughan Commemorative Stamp.  Notably, in 2015, she received the New Jersey Governor’s Award in Arts Education and was awarded the First Place title in Hudson County, New Jersey’s Solo Strings Competition. Liany Mateo studied with the legendary bassist, Rodney Whitaker at Michigan State University where she received a Bachelor’s degree in Jazz Studies.

Read more: https://www.smallslive.com/artists/3031-liany-mateo/   

Nat Adderley Jr., Keys

Music arranger and pianist Nat Adderley, Jr. was born on May 23, 1955 to Nat Adderley, Sr. and Ann James in Quincy, Florida. Adderley attended the Fiorello H. LaGuardia High School of Music & Art and Performing Arts in Manhattan, New York. In high school, he performed and wrote music for his father’s group, the Cannonball Adderley Quintet. Adderley also worked as a keyboardist for R&B singer Valerie Simpson. Adderley earned his B.A. degree in African American studies from Yale University in 1977.

In 1981, Adderley became the music director for Luther Vandross. Adderley arranged the music for Vandross’ 1981 album, Never Too Much on the songs “Never Too Much” and “Sugar and Spice (I Found Me a Girl).” He then co-wrote the song “Better Love” for Vandross’ 1982 album, Forever, for Always, for Love. In 1984, Adderley arranged “Superstar,” as well as “If Only for One Night” and “Creepin’” for Vandross’ album, The Night I Fell In Love. He co-wrote Vandross’ first top twenty hit, “Stop to Love” and arranged the songs “So Amazing” and “Give Me The Reason” from the album, Give Me The Reason. In 1988, Adderley arranged the songs “I Wonder” and “Love Won’t Let Me Wait” for Vandross’ album, Any Love. The album was nominated for a 1989 Grammy Award for Best Male R&B Vocal Performance. Adderley also played keyboard for Vandross’ 1991 Grammy award winning album, Power of Love. He produced Vandross’ albums Your Secret Love, Luther Vandross, and the Grammy award winning album, Dance with My Father. Adderley arranged Vandross’ 2003 Grammy award-winning duet with Beyonce Knowles, “The Closer I Get to You,” which won for Best R&B Performance by a Duo or Group with Vocals. He then produced the live album, Luther’s Live 2003 at Radio City Music Hall.

In addition to his work with Vandross, Adderley has worked with several other musicians. He arranged the songs for Aretha Franklin’s 1983 album, Jump To It, the string section for Doc Powell’s Grammy nominated song “What’s Going On” and Natalie Cole’s song “When I Fall in Love.” Recordings of Adderley playing piano were used by playwright August Wilson for his play The Piano Lesson in 1990. Adderley later formed the Nat Adderley, Jr. Trio.

Read more: https://www.thehistorymakers.org/biography/nat-adderley-jr

Wed. October 20, 2021 Please join us in this unique event as another generation of jazz musicians are coming out and making a serious impact on the jazz scene. 

Tickets for Set 1, 7-8PM: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/jazz973-presents-mike-lee-family-band-introducing-jacquie-lee-set-1-tickets-192955935397

Tickets for Set 2, 8:20-9:20PM: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/jazz973-presents-mike-lee-family-band-introducing-jacquie-lee-set-2-tickets-192957750827

This event will be live and also live streamed for Rutgers Institute of Jazz Studies and Gregory Burrus Productions.

South Orange, NJ October Live Music Fest Takes Over the Sounds In Spiotta Park and Jazz On Sloan Street

By Gregory Burrus | Posted Friday, October 8, 2021

As the 2021 Summer Saturdays season ended, audiences and a number of community members continually asked what's next in terms of live music. After much thought through September, the idea is to continue the music every Saturday and Sunday through the month of October, with a lot of help from a lot of our musician friends and a local live music production group.

This month, the October Live Music Fest is off and running. The newly formed October Live Music Fest aims to continue the Summertime live music weekend excitement and also produce some unique, lively and engaging performances at Sounds In Spiotta Park, Jazz On Sloan, and in South Orange, NJ.

We hope you can come join us every Saturday & Sunday in the month of October, as the following lineup contains some wonderful performers looking to entertain you.

Events - Every Sat. 3- 5 PM & 6:30-9:30 PM; Sun. 3-5 PM & 6:00-9:00 PM.

Sat 10/2 - 3-5 PM Tim Rodner / Bruce Tyler, Swing Jazz, Jazz On Sloan
Sat 10/2 - 6:30 - 9:30 PM Tara Layne Blues & Rock n Roll Band, Spiotta Park

Sun 10/3 - 3-5 PM Michele Fiorindo, Jazz Guitarist, Spiotta Park

Sat 10/9 - 3-5 PM Acute Inflections - Is This Love? Bob Marley Tribute, Spiotta Park
Sat 10/9 - 6:30 - 9:30 PM Andy Lackow & Mess Around, Blues, Rock, Spiotta Park

Sun 10/10 - 3-5 PM Kenita Alani Hopper, Opera In the Park, Spiotta Park
Sun 10/10 - 6:00 - 9:00 PM Jacqueline Harmon Johnson Quartet, Jazz on Sloan

Sat 10/16 - 3-5 PM Tim Rodner / Bruce Tyler, Swing Jazz, Jazz On Sloan
Sat 10/16 - 6:30 - 9:30 PM Los Traficantes del Amor, Latin Tribute, Spiotta Park

Sun 10/17 - 3-5 PM SPK Trio Salt, Pepper, Ketchup, Spiotta Park
Sun 10/17 - 6:00 - 9:00 PM Laredo, The Band, Rock Covers, Spiotta Park

Sat 10/23 - 3-5 PM Hal Keshner, Piano / Vocals, Jazz On Sloan
Sat 10/23 - 6:30 - 9:30 PM BlackWax, Original Funk and Soul, Spiotta Park

Sun 10/24 - 3-5 PM Michele Fiorindo, Jazz Guitarist, Spiotta Park
Sun 10/24 - 6:00 - 9:00 PM Jacqueline Harmon Johnson Quartet, Sing with Jacque, Spiotta Park

Schedule subject to change and updates, check for latest updates at https://gregoryburrusproductio...

We hope you continue to come on out, support the musicians and enjoy the October Live Music Fest while the weather is still nice. Remember, music is life so take it all in and feel the relief in these troubling times. 

Tell a friend, grab a jacket, a lawn chair, a local meal, the kids and come join us. Don't forget to Mark Your Calendars & Save The Dates.

Hosted/supported by South Orange Downtown, South Orange Village and Gregory Burrus Productions.

Sign up for future events at gregoryburrusproductions.com.

Welcome to Downtown Cranford 2021 Summer Sounds Live Music Series!

By Gregory Burrus | Posted Saturday, June 19, 2021

Exciting Vibrant Cranford, NJ

With outstanding shopping, restaurants, services and entertainment & events, not to mention our beautiful parks and waterways, Cranford offers authentic experiences for everyone.

According to Wikipedia, Cranford, NJ has a nickname of "The Venice of New Jersey'' and a motto "Friendship and Progress." This small town has shaped up to be one highly desirable place to be and live in. In both 2018 and 2019, The Star-Ledger named Cranford the best downtown in New Jersey after an online vote, calling it "adorable [and] snowglobe-like.” New Jersey Monthly magazine ranked Cranford as its 34th best place to live in its 2010 rankings of the "Best Places To Live.” Cranford is part of the New York City metropolitan area.

Cranford is home to more than 24,000 people who enjoy its many parks, recreational facilities, shopping areas and outstanding schools. Strategically located in the heart of Union County, the Township is served by the NJ Transit bus and Raritan Valley train line, making it desirable for outbound and inbound commuters. Established in 1871, Cranford is 4.8 square miles of wonderful neighborhoods and historic homes along the Rahway River, some dating back to the late 1800s. Township residents and visitors, young and old, can enjoy the many programs at the Community Center, Public Library, parks, tennis courts, indoor and outdoor pools or canoeing on the river. These are just some of the reasons Cranford is routinely rated in the Top 50 Best Places to Live in NJ and to raise a family.

Keeping Downtown Alive - Downtown Cranford

https://downtowncranford.org/

The town has a strong commercial base. Downtown Cranford is well known for its many restaurants, unique specialty shops and has seen tremendous investment and growth in recent years with several Transit-Oriented Development projects. Smaller neighborhood shopping areas, like Centennial Village, are also revitalized with new restaurants and businesses. The Cranford Business Park, with easy access to the Garden State Parkway, major roads and Newark Airport, is home to several well-known national corporations.

https://downtowncranford.org/

Also, the Downtown Cranford Special Improvement District (SID) led by Executive Director Caren Demyan is dedicated to ensuring a vibrant downtown. Downtown Cranford is a Township department whose objective is to promote, brand, beautify, maintain, attract, and grow business. The Office of Downtown Business & Economic Development is part of the Township government and represents all properties, businesses and residents within the SID regardless of size, location or use and is the official advocate for property and business owners. You can learn more about Downtown Cranford and how they can support your objectives right here.  

Downtown Cranford Making Live Music Happen 2021

Alex Desrivieres / Harmonic Convergence 2020

2021 Downtown Cranford  Lineup Schedule

The Downtown Cranford office announced that there is music at Eastman Plaza throughout the summer 2021! Starting in June, there will be music performances at Eastman Plaza on Thursdays from 6-8pm by a number of local musicians. 

2021 Summer Sounds Performers

As you can see, we have an extensive and diverse list of music genres and performers for everyone's listening pleasure, with some returning favorites and some brand new first-timers. We have crossed the spectrum with pop, rock, R&B, jazz, country, Latin, cabaret and, of course, some blues to make you tap your feet, shake your head and dance in your seat. Just come on out and have a good time enjoying the sounds of Downtown Cranford live music. 

Experience the Summer Sounds and Views

All are invited to come on out and enjoy this wonderful live music location, to enjoy Downtown Cranford stores and restaurants and the Downtown Cranford Summer Sounds Series. Here's a few landmarks to pique your curiosity, and hopefully you will stop in and enjoy this wonderful environment.  

At this very busy traffic intersection right off the NJ Transit train station there is this idyllic park in the middle of the hustle and bustle:

Inside it is this wonderful grassy location, along with some natural seating, what's known locally as the Eastman Clock location.

And what's really cool is there is a built-in amphitheater-type seating all the way around and out to the grass and the adjacent stores. This is a very cool place to be where you are able to sit, relax and enjoy the summer sounds of live music. 

About the Writer

Gregory Burrus is a Photojournalist, Live Music Ambassador, Arts and Entertainment Writer, Blogger, Business Reviewer, and Community Events Reporter. He is a supporter of local businesses and community events, with a passion for live music. Gregory reviews and writes about local live music programs while booking, promoting and curating many regional live music events around the greater New York/New Jersey area. Greg promotes events through social media marketing, writing articles, blogging and photojournalism. Having fun, living life, while helping others. https://gregoryburrusproductions.com

Scheduled Live Music Concerts Return to South Orange for 2021

By Gregory Burrus | Posted Thursday, April 29, 2021

Wrecking Havoc with Our Lives - Pandemic 2020

There is no doubt that the Coronavirus Pandemic wreaked havoc on the live music industry, not just around South Orange but all over the world. Musicians went from traveling and performing 2-3 times a day to zilch, nada, zero performances, as large music halls and small restaurants with a single stage, all had to shut down. After all, what is live music but a communal and social interaction experience, but the virus pointed us all in the exact opposite direction. We entered into the world of necessary and forced social distancing in order to live and to survive. 

COVID-19 Pandemic Cautions

The Summer of 2020 saw us all cautiously returning to a new normal life while committing to all the preventive and precautionary measures required to survive. This, for some, meant not coming out and for others it meant wearing masks, social distancing, no hugs and no hand shakes. For the return of live music, we added in six feet apart circles on the ground at our events and sitting far apart from each other, and we also learned elbow greetings along with never ending hand washing. 

2020 Restart Live Music Season

Since 2010, we usually start our Downtown After Sundown live music season during the last week of May and usually at two locations in the evening. With the pandemic, that was not happening, but in July 2020 we came together and scrambled back outside. Part of the mission was to help businesses that were shuttered for months survive. We put together a live music season based on that and decided to progress by watching the COVID numbers on a week to week basis. 

We found some truly cool bands with fans, found a new stage located with the businesses, and a very large parking lot so folks could space out as much as they wanted. Since we couldn't all be together because of the COVID Pandemic, spreading out was the name of the game. For our daytime events, we also added a component to place the music around town in what amounted to live music pods adjacent to our businesses located all around South Orange. Then we started booking bands on a week to week basis, identified as Making Live Music Around South Orange, NJ While Adjusting for the COVID-19 Pandemic. And guess what? It worked out very well, as many folks came out, stayed safe, and enjoyed the music.

Moving Forward 2021 Live Music Season

Well, we are now announcing a new 2021 South Orange Summer Saturdays born out of last year's learnings. This year, we are starting our season almost a month earlier, extending it a month later, and formally using our new outdoor restaurant patio as our stage. In addition, we identified almost 14 locations for live music all around South Orange, NJ. For our performances, we charged up the lineup as 50% of the bands are new to our performance lineup. Check it out here: SOVillageCenter.org.

2021 South Orange Summer Saturdays Line Up

The 2021 South Orange Summer Saturdays Live Music season will feature blues, jazz, rock, latin, pop, country and more all around our town. 

Highly requested returning favorites are MPAC Band, Los Trafficanos, Andy Lackow and Mess Around,  Harmonic Conversion, Lynette Sheard Entertainment, Organist Radam Schwartz, Gene Ghee, NXSTAGE Music, Carlos Frias & Circulo Social, Mama D and Vexations, Stuff Bros, Dwight West and Spirit of Life Ensemble. 

2021 South Orange Summer Saturdays Coming On Board 

New to the Main Stage, as of this writing, for 2021: Meant To Be Jazz Quartet, Mike Lee Jazz and his Jazz Jam, the fabulous Big Train Band, Forget The Whale will finally grace the main stage, Alan Paul's Big In China, Jacqueline Harmon Johnson Jazz & Jam, pop rocker David Easton, Rafiki led by Norman Man, Sir G. Earl Grice and the truly awesome 19-piece Maplewood Community Music Big Band which is too big for the stage so they will be sharing the parking lot with us.

Around Town South Orange Events 

In addition, around town we’ll also have some of your favorites returning, like Hal Keshner’s Piano Lounge, Bossio Ukulele, Leonieke Scheuble Trio, Alex DeLazzari Jazz, The Zoos, Howlin Poets, Kyle Younger Jazz Group, Charlie Apicella, Mike Choi, New Jersey DJ Services, Laredo the Band, Joel Cotton and, yes, even Opera in the Park if we can work it out, and a number of other events that we will bring onboard throughout the summer.

Honoring and Celebrating Those We Lost 

As you know, due to COVID, most celebrations of life were canceled or postponed, but we remember. Hence, lest we forget, not everyone made it through the 2020 year. We had tributes during the 2020 Live Music Season and into 2021, where some of our musical friends left us while others fell victim to COVID, such as Lee Boswell May, Darryl Clark, Holli Ross and many, many more. All of our memories, our live music season, and a few musical tributes are listed below.

Thank you musician Caylen Bryant for performing at Reflecting Together: South Orange, Maplewood to Remember Lives Lost to COVID-19, March 21. My thoughts during this SOMA Ceremony -  Tribute to Darryl Clark Holli Ross and Lee Boswell May and Many More and their families. 

March 6, 2021, the Township of South Orange named a street in Lee Boz May’s name, called “Boz Way.” I reported on that here: A Tribute to Lee "Boz" May -- Live Music Advocate Making South Orange, NJ Black History and Women's History. Long live “Boz Way.” 

We celebrated with a  ceremony.  Thank you to our musicians for your tributes to our fallen live music advocate, jazz lover, wife, family lover, community lover and more, Lee Boswell May.  

We hope to do more to honor them as COVID restrictions loosen up. 

Anticipating the 2021 South Orange Summer Saturdays Live Music Season

As we try and move forward, all of us here in town feel a sense of joyful anticipation about the 2021 South Orange Summer Saturdays season. We will once again make music for our devoted audience members. It promises to be a season to be remembered and cherish. Please join us.

About the Writer, Gregory Burrus

Gregory Burrus is writing about his first love, the creative people, towns and events all around South Orange NJ, Essex County and Beyond. Gregory continually observes, participates in, reports and writes on local community news, live music and the arts and entertainment scene of the JerseyNYC landscape, right here on Jersey Indie as JI blogger Gregory Burrus. Contact Gregory Burrus to promote your business or nonprofit across various social media and blogging platforms. http://gregoryburrus.me

RECAP: SUPER JAM 2019 with Gregory Burrus Around Town

By Gregory Burrus | Posted Tuesday, February 18, 2020

It was an absolutely wonderful night of live music at the Annual Myrna Bain Scholarship Fundraiser, 2019 Super Jam (August 16 2019, NY, NY).

For the last three years, Gregory Burrus Around Town has supplied photography, video services and has recommended creative artists from New Jersey to perform in this event.  This enables our artists to expand their reach and gain new audiences.

Myrna Bain Scholarship

The purpose of this concert was to raise funds for the Myrna Bain Scholarship.  Professor Bain inspired both students and colleagues to aspire to higher levels of academic excellence and scholarship.  Her energy and commitment to scholarship, both national and international, her special skills in mentoring and fostering growth in students, her peers and all others whose lives she touched, provided the basis for the success of countless others.  Prof. Myrna Bain taught at Hunter College (NY) and John Jay (NY) and was highly regarded by her students and colleagues until her passing of breast cancer in 2007.

Created in her spirit, The Myrna Bain Scholarship provides an annual financial award to an exemplary undergraduate student who has a strong commitment to community service and an interest in pursuing a career or further studies in African Diaspora studies, or including Social Justice, English, International Criminal Justice, International Studies, Sociology, Political Science, Gender Politics, History or Anthropology.  The fundraising objective is to reach their endowment goal so that Myrna Bain Scholarship recipients can continue her legacy for many years to come.  The performers last year are listed below:

JANET WINTER

 

Janet Winter in a very beautiful recap of an absolutely wonderful night of live music in NYC at the Annual Myrna Bain Scholarship Fundraiser, 2019 Super Jam.

Thank you Sherry Gibson and all who came out and supported the cause.

D’AMBROSE BOYD, MC

The multi-talented co-founder and host of “SINGERS SPACE presented by D'Ambrose Boyd” hosted the Myrna Bain Scholarship Concert Series for the first time.  His extensive credits include Ain’t Misbehavin’, Five Guys Named Moe, and A Christmas Carol.  He has also worked backstage at Book of Mormon.  

D’Ambrose also is a photographer at D’Ambrose Boyd Photography and accessory fashion designer at Boyd’s Apparel.

Bernie “Em” Mercer

Bernie sings locally on the NYC live music scene.  Learn more about Bernie right here.

SUE ROCK, VOCALS

 

Sue Rock has been a vocalist all her life, singing since childhood, enjoying the wonders of popular music and Broadway classics.  Sue Rock’s expressive, rich, and authentic singing comes straight from her heart to yours. Freely, she opens up to all influences - from classic jazz to funk-filled R&B. You can always count on Sue Rock for innovative re-working of your favorite songs as well as original tunes. She makes your favorites sound NEW again!

This was her second time performing in the Myrna Bain Scholarship Concert Series. She has also performed at Bar Thalia’s, Singers Space, Gammage Auditorium in Arizona, and in Naples, Italy. Sue has performed with the late great Phyllis Hyman, Jazz Bassist Fred Ho, and Jelly-Bean Benitez. Sue Rock Originals is her passion project. After losing a friend to domestic violence, she created Sue Rock Originals Everyone, Inc., a not-for-profit organization committed to providing textile skills and support to survivors of domestic violence who leave.

DEBORAH STEVENS, VOCALS

 

Deborah arrived from Memphis with a theatre background, but singing is a buried desire. A retired banker, she spends some of her time studying and singing. She performed in a limited run of Black Diamonds and White Pearls, written and produced by Vinnie Knight featuring the music of the Harlem Renaissance. Her favorite vocalists are Aretha Franklin, with whom she shares the same hometown and birthday, as well as Carmen McRae, Irene Reid, Etta James and Etta Jones. Her credo is “kindness matters.” 

DOUG DONOVAN, VOCALS:

 

Doug Donovan has been singing for 10 years throughout New York and New Jersey, in venues such as Triad Theatre and Trumpets. He’s performed with jazz singer Carrie Jackson and renowned jazz pianist Radam Schwartz. His favorite types of music are from the American Songbook—Jazz and Bossa Nova.

SCOUT FORD, VOCALS

 

Scout Ford is a singer, songwriter and actor based out of NYC. He’s also the Manager and Coordinator at Night Roads Entertainment, Inc. and the owner-and operator of GroundStone Music.

D’AMBROSE BOYD, MC, VOCALS

SHINUH HOLT, VOCALS

 

Shinuh Holt is a sultry vocalist from Brooklyn. She’s currently working on an EP titled Don’t Blame the Bartender. She’s traveled overseas, having residencies in Thailand & Sri Lanka. Shinuh began her musical journey only six years ago at Ashford & Simpson’s Sugar Bar on Nick Ashford’s Nuttin’ but The Blues night.

Follow Shinuh at #TheArtOfShinuh @madeinshinuh @theartofshinuh @dontblamethebartender “Live Yo Life!”

KATE BAKER

JO MARCHESE, VOCALS

 

Ms. Marchese, also known as The Queen of the New York open mic scene, has studied under Maestro Barry Harris and has performed at numerous NYC clubs including Singers Space at Bar Thalia, Cleopatra's Needle, Birdland, Parnell's, Jazz At Kitano's and Cobi's Jazz Club. Her unique vocals evoke the great singers of the big band era. Her favorite singer is Frank Sinatra. She says she loves everything he has recorded. She notes the excellence of his phrasing and points out that her phrasing is pretty good, too. She’s also still quite a fan of Tony Bennett and loves his song about San Francisco, as it takes her back to the time she worked there for the U.S. Marines.

BRIAN “ALEJANDRO” SCOTT, VOCALS

 

Brian "Alejandro" Scott, a Brit by way of Panama, had his first taste of singing onstage at Carnegie Hall as a soloist with the All City Chorus. He later went on to become a principal dancer with the Katherine Dunham-based Eugene James Dance Company performing on Broadway row and throughout NYC and internationally. Since putting his children's dance company "The Experimental Dance Group" on hiatus, Alejandro is working in the world of song and currently singing jazz standards, Broadway tunes with a little bit of pop at open mics throughout the NYC area, and had two recently sold out shows at Parnell's Bar & Restaurant. Alejandro has studied under Marilyn Maye, Gregory Hopkins, Jrome Andre, Samora Smith, Bill Zeffiro, David Pearl, Jonh Di Martino and Barbara Maier Gustern.

SUE ROCK AND D’AMBROSE BOYD

 

Sue and Damrose also performed as a duo.

KEITH ANTHONY FLUITT AND D’AMBROSE BOYD VOCALS

 

“Keith Anthony Fluitt, a New York City born and raised singer, has worked with many great artists of our time including Quincy Jones and Michael Jackson. Keith also sings lead vocals. He went to Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater, graduated from talent unlimited program at Julia Richmond High School (graduating with: Lisa Lisa, Gene Anthony Ray from Fame, Brenda K. Starr, and a host of others). Keith has performed with many great stars including but not limited to: Patti LaBelle, Martha Wash, Will Downing, Ashford & Simpson, Lala Brooks, Quincy Jones, and Michael Jackson.” Read more at keithanthonyfluitt.com.

DARNELL WHITE QUARTET

 

SAADI ZAIN, BASS

Well-versed on both the double (upright) bass and electric bass and in a multitude of musical genres, New York City-based Saadi Zain has learned and refined his craft directly through frequent contact and close relationships with jazz masters, most notably Ron Carter. In April of this year, he performed the inaugural concert of the South Asian Symphony Orchestra in Mumbai, India as principal bassist. He was also part of the world premiere of “Little Girl Blue,” a musical about Nina Simone. For more info on Saadi, where he is playing and who he has played with, please visit his website at www.saadizain.com.

RICHARD FRANK, GUITAR

Richard Frank has been a resource to the New York City music community since 1965.  He’s recorded and/or toured with such artists as Neil Diamond, Bette Midler, Barry Manilow, Paul Anka, Patti LaBelle, Janis Ian, Peter Allen and Mary Travers (Peter, Paul & Mary). As a Studio Musician, he’s played on numerous records including "Turn the Beat Around" by Vicki Sue Robinson and all the music for "The Archies" cartoon series as well as jingles. 

JARRETT WALSER, DRUMMER

Jarrett Walser is a musician that brings vibrant sensitivity and rich nuances to an expressive style on the drums that is refreshing. His ease and versatility in several genres (jazz, rock, R&B, the blues, and funk) has made him a highly sought-after drummer.  As the indelible mainstay drummer for Amigos, Amigos! (Prog-Rock Band), The Goddess Lakshmi (Indie Rock Band), and Future Rising (Contemporary Jazz Band), he brings a dynamic brilliancy to the stage. He is an artful musician that is only at the genesis of his career. The best is yet to come.

SHERRY GIBSON CHAIRPERSON

 

Sherry Taylor Gibson (M.P.A. ’92) (with the hat in front row) is Administrative Manager and Executive Assistant to the Chief Information Officer, Department of Information Technology.

Happy After Super Jam performers

This was my 3rd year covering the Myrna Bain scholarship event, and every year it gets better. Anyone interested in performing in this volunteer event should contact me. The event location can change each year. It’s a beautiful experience, so come join us. You can learn more about it here: https://www.facebook.com/friendsofmyrnabainscholarship/

Gregory Burrus

Gregory Burrus is a supporter of local businesses, community events, jazz, blues musicians and local art exhibitions. On a regular basis he promotes art, music, business, government and documents local community events all around New Jersey and New York. Greg provides support  through videography, photography, social media marketing, writing articles, blogging and photo journalism. Greg is having fun living life while helping others. L earn more at gregoryburrusproductions.com

TAGS: myrna bain scholarship, fundraiser, ladies night, sherry gibson, vocalists, female vocalists, john jay college, gregory burrus, gregory burrus around town, videography, photography, north jersey music

RECAP - Spiotta Park - 3rd Annual 24 Hours Of Music Jamboree, Sept 7-8, 2019

By Gregory Burrus | Posted Tuesday, February 11, 2020

The 24 Hours of Music Jamboree, in its 3rd year, is a nonstop live music event that is much anticipated by the local music community, performers, supporters, volunteers and attendees from the community. 

The community was encouraged to come on out and enjoy this 24 Hour Non Stop Music Jamboree that happened all across South Orange, NJ from 12 Noon on Saturday to 12 Noon Sunday, September 2019.

24 Hour of Music Line-Up

Two months prior to the event, an Open Call was conducted, asking for volunteer musicians who wanted to perform in our jamboree at one of the following locations:

1.       Jazz on Sloan at the South Orange Gazebo,

2.       Sounds in Spiotta Park or

3.       Somewhere Around South Orange.

Musicians and other performers were slotted into the various locations; an overall lineup was developed and released. The Sounds in Spiotta Park schedule for last year’s 2019 performances was a good one. 

The Sounds in Spiotta Park venue has a larger stage presence and so it became a venue for bands small and large. Bands from three-piece bands to 20-piece big bands can be accommodated very easily. The park can also hold over a 100 folks and can accommodate families with children and those who want to spread out. This venue also has built-in natural seating from rock seats, to the steps, to a surrounding wall, and of course lots of grass to sit upon and enjoy the live music performances.

Sounds in Spiotta Park Events

Spiotta Park, South Orange, NJ

New Jersey DJ Services

We started off the event in Spiotta Park with New Jersey DJ Services arriving early at 11 AM. DJ Jimmy Buttros was spinning the vinyl and warming us for the 12 noon opening. New Jersey DJ Services stayed onsite all day, spun tunes between performances, and kept us moving and grooving all day long.

Soul Xpressiion School of Dance

The festivities started at noon as Kenyani Shanai Henderson of Soul Xpressiion School of Dance was live in Spiotta Park. Kenyani led a Free ZUMBA Dance Session which was designed to get folks up, working out and feeling good. It was a great way to kick off the Sounds In Spiotta park 24 Hour Live Music Jamboree.

Grupo Liberdade de Capoeira

It was absolutely wonderful for the 2nd year in a row to have Grupo Liberdade de Capoeira join us in the 3rd Annual 24 Hour of Music Jamboree. If you don’t know, Capoeira is an Afro-Brazilian martial art that combines elements of dance, acrobatics, and music. It is known for its acrobatic and complex maneuvers, often involving hands on the ground and inverted kicks. Capoeira is known to give your body physical strength, power and flexibility and your mind self-confidence, concentration, courage and creativity. When you watch Professora Amazonas leading the group, it is simply beautiful and everyone, especially the children, grow and become confident while all enjoy themselves.

Dan Ogden Music

The music was a beautiful mixture of rock, funk, jazz and more.  Click to listen to Dan Oden Live.

Party Girl Yoga NY

It’s yoga-time, it’s party time, according to the The Tvrnvp Gawd who, according to her Instagram profile, is known for providing networking opportunities for entrepreneurs and socialites in the entertainment industry. For 24 Hours of Music, Party Girl YOGA NY provided a Yoga to Music session. Her mission, from the dance floor to the yoga mat, is to focus, breathe and feel the heat. The goal is to allow students to experience the same excitement and energy they have when they hit the dance floor. Attendees reported that they enjoyed themselves tremendously.

During this event, SOMA TV was out on site and Dustin Dumas of Dustin’s Kaleidoscope interviewed the owner of Party Girl Yoga. You can watch the interview at here:

Howlin’ Poets

As the afternoon progressed, we enjoyed performances by a popular local favorite band, Howlin’ Poets. They are a funky collective of musicians which started out as a weekly get together for local musicians, playing almost every genre imaginable, and developed into a more coherent band focused on funk and funky takes of classic reggae, rock, R&B, and disco tunes, with the occasional original thrown in to boot. They tag themselves as: TO MAKE ROCK AND MAKE IT FUNKY!! They funked it up and the audience loved it.

Carlos Frias and Circulo Social

To Listen, click Carlos Frias and Circulo Social.

Later, we connected with some Latin Music from Carlos Frias. With roots in the Dominican Republic, Carlos Frias is a singer, songwriter, visual artist, drummer, percussionist, and the front man of the world music band, Carlos Frías & Circulo Social. Based out of Bloomfield, NJ, they play mostly original music that’s blended with rock, jazz and Latin rhythms. In their music you can hear the heart of the Caribbean, the peasant chant, and the voices of those speaking against injustice accompanied by Afro Caribbean rhythms.

With Diego Lopez on Drums, Ben Rubens on bass, Yaram Eilam on guitar and led by Carlos Frias on voice and percussion, these cats made some sweet Latin sounds. The performance was a hit with all as Circulo Social put out the perfect sound waves on a beautiful summer night. 

Black Wax Band

Vid 1 Black Wax 1 - Vid 2 Black Wax 2. Black Wax Band Dancers kicking it during the 24 Hours Of Music Jamboree in South Orange Spiotta Park. Thank You @Victoria A for coming out and thank you Asad Waheed for bringing a great performance. #24hoursofmusicjamboree #southorangenj

The main event of the evening was produced by Black Wax Band. From live music sets led by Bandleader Asad Waheed, to his DJs with Freestyle dancers, rappers and more, they had us toe tapping and dancing while enjoying some awesome R&B music. We danced the night away, and our attendees enjoyed themselves tremendously.

Vin Mott Rhythm and Blues

Bright and early at 10 AM Sunday morning, Vin Mott of Vin Mott Rhythm and Blues Band came on stage and performed some down home New Orleans harmonica, vocals, and drums.

Andy Lackow and Mess Around Band

Closing out the festival at 11 AM was our very own Blues Jam Master Andy Lackow of the Andy Lackow and Mess Around Band. He was joined today by drummer Jim Hart and bass player Coo Moe Jhee. They played some wonderful tunes and closed out the 3rd Annual 24 Hours of Music Jamboree in Spiotta Park with a bang.

Sponsor Persaud Entertainment LLC

We give a big thanks to Persaud Entertainment LLC and CEO Valerie Persaud in helping make this event happen in the park this year. It should be noted that the Ricky Persaud Jr. band always attracts the largest Downtown After Sundown audience when they hit our stage..

Support South Orange Rescue Squad

Last year, the nonstop music jamboree hoped to bring town-wide awareness to the 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.

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 that curates, manages and promotes live music events in the local SOMA (South Orange, Maplewood) community, Northern NJ and New York Area. 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

Come Swing in South Orange With Our 2020 Downtown After Sundown Big Bands

By Gregory Burrus | Posted Wednesday, January 29, 2020

South Orange Downtown After Sundown is planning on coming back for 2020 with a Big Bang from the sounds of more Big Bands in 2020. To see where we are headed in 2020, let’s look back at this past season and the big fun we had during 2019.

In 2019 More Big Bands!!! Oh Yeah!!

Like the Big Bands of the 20’s/40’s? Did you know that Big bands started as an accompaniment for dancing way back in 1910? Well this year instead of one big band for the 2019 Downtown After Sundown Season, we had one big band a month joining us for your dancing and listening pleasure. That’s right the Sounds in Spiotta Park were awesome with three big bands ranging in size from 12 to 19 pieces and playing some of the most swinging tunes ever for your dancing and listening pleasure.

Swing Town Big Band Led by Ben Williams

"It's important for professionals, who might start feeling like playing is just a job, to spend time with those who love to play." Ben Williams

Opening our Big Band Series this season will be one of our longest running  returning veteran big bands, the Swing Town Big Band of Maplewood Community Music. Under the direction of the professional trombonist and music director Ben Williams. They came back with their 19 Piece Big Band.  Their Big Band-style jazz ensemble features Saxophones, Trumpets, Trombones, Rhythm Section, and Vocalists.

And oh what a swinging night of music it was as they played the classics, standards and more. This year they opened their performance with the South Mountain Squirrel Hunters and then swung into action with some of the best big band music around. Folks were encouraged to bring a lawn chair and they did and had a great time.

Another Big Band — Ed Palermo

"Ed Parlermo ...one of the greatest musicians and arrangers in the world." -- Christian McBride –

Another nice development in booking this years 2019 Downtown After Sundown season is the addition of Another Big Band thanks to a big supporter of live music, drummer Eddie Brown. Another Big Band consist of 12 musicians, including a vocalist, from the Jazz House Community Big Band. They are musicians of all levels and backgrounds, playing classic arrangements from the big band era. Another Big Band is under the direction of Ed Palermo, who is not just a dynamic saxophonist, he is also a prolific arranger, composer, educator and, since 1980, leader of Ed Palermo’s Big Band.

These Big Band played members their hearts out, had a heck of a good time playing with each other and the audience that came out and listened to some great music. The fun part is also for a good cause as these cats contribute what they receive to a nonprofit called the Jazz House Kids. Hailed by JazzTimes as “one of the most successful and respected jazz education programs in the country,” the NEA grant recipient, and award winning JAZZ HOUSE KiDS has inspired more than 45,000 young musicians since its launch and touched a growing, annual audience of 25,000.All so another young person can be introduced to this wonderful world of live music that we all enjoy. 

Big Beat Big Band - Caleb Rumley

BIG BEAT is a 19-piece big band that was formed in 2014 with one purpose - to make music that sounds good and feels good.

This year on our 2019 Final Downtown After Sundown Weekend we were happy to have Big Beat Big Band join us. The group consists of 5 saxophones, 4 trombones, 4 trumpets, guitar, piano, bass, drums, vocals and a conductor. This 19 piece R&B Orchestra was formed in 2014 with one purpose - to make music that sounds good and feels good. Founded by alumni of William Paterson University's vaunted jazz program, the band is steeped in the modern jazz tradition but they refuse to limit themselves to any particular genre.

They are an innovative band with a fresh big band sound so folks definitely came out and dined, danced and listened to the Big Bands in South Orange Spiotta Park.

This year come enjoy all of our swinging Big Bands during our 2020 Downtown After Sundown Season. South Orange Village Center invites you to dine, dance, listen and swing with us under the stars during the 2020 Downtown After Sundown Live Music Series.

Don't forget, along with the big bands above, we will also have more musician participation events like jazz jams and audience dance participation events too. All concerts kick off Memorial weekend 5/22/2020 through Labor Day, every Friday and Saturday evening and one Sunday a month from 7:00 pm to 10:00 pm in the heart of Downtown South Orange. Check out www.sovillgecenter.org and facebook Downtown After Sundown for the new 2020  list of live music events.

About Gregory Burrus

Gregory Burrus is a local live music ambassador, event planner, live music ambassador and community partner that curates, manages and promotes live music events in the local SOMA (South Orange,Maplewood) community, Northern NJ and New York Area.

Rachel Ana Dobken - When It Happens To You (Interview)

By Deaglan Howlett | Posted August 13, 2019

Rachel Ana Dobken is a singer, songwriter and multi instrumentalist based out of Asbury Park. Her latest release, When It Happens To You, is raw, inviting and familiar. Her songs touch on the human condition and how we are all much more similar than we sometime realize. Rachel was kind enough to let me ask her some questions about the album, her songwriting process and her eclectic mix of influences.

How did you come up with the title, When It Happens To You?

So, the title of the record actually came to me in the form of a poem. Essentially, it’s about the concept that we don’t know what an experience is like until we go through it  ourselves. Someone can tell you, “Oh I can give you all of this advice, but you won’t know what it means, what it truly feels like, what to DO and what is right for YOU until it happens to you.” It came to me just like most of my writing does— subconsciously and at a time when I wasn’t thinking about it at all. I originally thought, I will make this into a song and use it as lyrics! Which I may still do… if you’d like to read it (this is a condensed version there's about 3 more stanzas!):

When it Happens to You

Then you know what to do

Know exactly what I am going through

Hope it happens to everyone

You and you and you…

So that you know what to do

When it happens to you

Our pride and preferential being

Existing within this sphere we call earth

Acting as if we have each other

When all we do is try to live first

Selfish, but it comes from a place of fear

Of wanting of wishing of hoping oh so much

That you'll find love, connection, acceptance, and trust

Pick me look at me love me respect me!

Because all we all ever want is acceptance

From you from me.

From every living thing.

It seems so hard to find

If you think of it this way...

Or maybe not?

When it happens to you

You will know what I mean

Hope you figure out what to do

When it happens to you

….

When did you start writing for this release?

Well, the oldest song on the record I wrote in 2013 when I was still living in Upstate NY post-Bard College. That song is “Got Away.” The second oldest song is “Belief Beneath” which came to me in 2015 and was completed shortly after my debut EP Detach was completed. The majority of the songs came to me within the past year, and I’d say about 40% of the songs were completely flushed out. It really all came together once we started tracking and mixing.

 What is your writing process like?

My writing process is very fluid and organic. Ironically, it’s the opposite of how I’d describe myself— it’s relaxed, free, organic, flowing….

I don’t choose when or where songs come to me, or even what they sound like. They just do. It’s almost like its own spiritual entity (not to get all “hippy-dippy” on you here). I find when I allow the art to speak for itself and come out when it needs to, it always does and does so in a compelling way. I worry that I will run out of material but honestly, every time I think this, something better musically and philosophically comes to me. Something is always rattling around in my brain and is always dying to come out. Usually I’ll hear parts of a song when I am most able to let go and clear my brain (showering, when I’m falling asleep, while going for a run), when I am not thinking about anything at all.

A lot of times it can be after my brain is going for days and I’m coming down from, or feeling residual emotions from whatever situations are going on in my life. The next thing I know I’m in the shower and an entire melody comes to me, a lot of times in conjunction with a lyric. I have a basic idea of “this little line is definitely a chorus or a verse.” Almost immediately after I know, “oh ok this is what the groove is, this is what the drums will be doing.” And then I’ll have an idea, even if the parts have not come to me yet, where the song is to go.

Typically, (especially if I’m feeling wildly inspired or going through something) I will continue to hear parts throughout my days and weeks and won’t be able to escape it. The song just happens. Usually, after a structure is set the lyrics will come. It always varies in different ways and each song has its own set of similar yet different creations. After that, I’ll sit down a couple of times and work through until lyrics and structure are all flushed out! Then comes the workshopping with the band! 

Influences for this album?

Well, I listen to everything but I don’t try to sound like anyone. I just know what I love and for me it comes back to, the groove and genuineness— intention behind the music. Don’t worry about the bullshit, don’t worry about people and your “image”, just hone your craft and be true to YOU. I guess I will answer this in regards to production, and where I saw the record fitting sonically in 2018. It was (sort of but not really) all over the place. Sometimes when referencing where the drums should sit, we’d pull up Allen Stone. Other times for vocals, it would be Lake Street Dive (I get the vocal comparison to Rachael Price a lot wooo go Rachel’s)! Guitar-wise, My Morning Jacket and White Denim… I could go on and on.

Photo by Danny Clinch

What was it like producing your own record?

It was fantastic and insanely overwhelming. I’m a perfectionist and I thrive off of being in control, so I definitely drove myself crazy at times (surprise, surprise)! I am so proud of the way the record came out, so proud of the work we created. Everyone told me during the process (while I was pulling my hair out) that I would be so incredibly proud of what I was achieving. But in the moment it was insanity at times. Listening to mixes over and over again and losing context, having to make every little decision from what take should we use to what guitar tone works best? I didn’t know how much panning mattered before this record… Should the drums be “wetter” and the guitar more “dry”? All of these decisions fell on my shoulders and I had to eventually be like, “whatever fuck it, I can’t care anymore, let’s just say it’s great. I have to be done…” But, as an artist with a vision, as someone who hears exactly what they want down to the last riff (I’m soooo happy with that ending to “Understand”) it’s extremely rewarding to know that you’ve created something with 100% authenticity true to the art itself. I know that isn’t always the case, but I will for damn sure strive hard to make sure it is in my music career.

Who did you work with?

Great question to follow-up with because as much as I loved to produce this, there is no way I could have without the help of the folks who gave me constant feedback and who played with me… let’s start with my engineers Tim Pannella and Joey Henderson— simply the best.

Then the players—Dan Haase (bass), Ryan MacLean (lead guitar), Andy Jackle (drums—”Intro,” “Got Away,” “Taking My Time”), Chris Dubrow (bass—”Us,” “Taking My Time”), Joey Henderson (guitar—”Always,” “Intro”; vox—”Belief”), Mark Masefield (b3), Ian Gray, Denis Daley, Bruce Krywinski (trombone, sax, trumpet), Danny Clinch (harmonica!) and I played drums, guitar, piano and sang. It was mixed by Kyle Joseph and mastered by Justin Colletti…

I’d be nothing especially without Chris Dubrow (who truly helped me get this off the ground organizing my thoughts and sounds through the pre-production phase), Dan (such an incredible player and amazingly helpful opinions, Dan and I have a great flow and a lot of respect for each other as musicians—I’m extremely grateful to him and our musical chemistry), Joey (oh man, thank you Joey, my right hand man in so many ways, Joey and I think, hear and feel things in a very similar fashion and we happen to have very similar musical influences)... and of course everyone else. Even the musical friends and my boyfriend who gave me feedback and lent me an ear to know I had to get the fuck out of my head—Renee Maskin, Tara Dente, Joe Michelini…

Favorite song you have written? Why?

Whew, this is a tough one… I think for this record it’s either “Understand,” “Everybody Wants” or “Learning How to Let Go.” In regards to “Understand” and “Learning,” its for similar reasons. I love the sentiments of what they captured, and more so I think because it’s something I live and struggle with frequently.  This gnawing feeling that we have as a society, as people, as artists to compare and be down on ourselves for being different or wondering why we aren’t succeeding at a pace we expect, in any situation.

It’s a coming to terms with reality in the moment, but also allowing yourself to feel the feelings rather than fight with them. Not understanding all the time why you’re having them but just accepting that…

“Everybody Wants” is an epic love song and is in other ways one of the best track on the album (lyrically well-written, easily accessible, showcases my vocals the best)…

Who are some other artists you feel define your sound?

I love so much music, I’m such a music nerd I could cry about my love for the medium—I know this is why I keep going… some of my biggest influences, and you can make the call whether or not you hear it!: My Morning Jacket, The Band, Jeff Buckley, Incubus, John Mayer, Paul Simon, Fiona Apple, Amy Winehouse, White Denim, Thelonious Monk, Julie London, Patsy Cline, Ray Charles… the list goes on and on…

Future plans?

I’m planning out 2019 and trying to figure out our gigs. I am in the works of figuring out some music videos, and I do have an unreleased single that will come out probably in the spring—keep the eyes and ears peeled! 

~

Spotify: https://spoti.fi/2PSjhSQ

Apple Music: https://itunes.apple.com/us/album/when-it-happens-to-you/1438758369

Bandcamp: https://rachelanadobkenmusic.bandcamp.com/ 

What’s Happening in the 3rd Annual "24 Hours Of Music Jamboree" This Weekend July 20 and 21 (South Orange, NJ)

By Gregory Burrus | Posted Tuesday, July 16, 2019

The 24 Hours of Music Jamboree in its 3rd year is a volunteer nonstop music event, much-loved by the local music community, those who come from afar to perform and our many visitors.   Normally held in May, this year it will be conducted on July 20 and the 21st. From the first event at noon July 20th to the last event starting at noon July 21st, the live music runs for 24 consecutive hours nonstop, covers multiple musical genres and highlights a good cause. In addition to regular scheduled events, there is live music all over South Orange, NJ.

Sounds in Spiotta Park

In South Orange, Spiotta Park, New Jersey DJ Services will be warming us up at 11:15 am and then all day between the performances so you can expect New Jersey DJ Services  to be rocking the park all day long. Very happy that Soul Xpressiion School of Dance will be joining us for the first time and they will be live in Spiotta Park leading a Zumba session designed to make you work out and feel good.

As the afternoon progresses come enjoy Dan Ogden music, the very popular Howling Poets, connect with some Latin Music from Carlos Frias and another new group called Psychedelic Fusion from the band YIRD. In the early afternoon Black Wax will have you toe tapping, head bopping to some great R&B music and in the evening you can dance the night away to popular cover songs by the exciting NXStage band. To close the night in the park, you can rock it out hard with the fabulous tribute band Deadful Greats. So come enjoy everything in Spiotta Park from POP, World music, Rock, Latin, R&B and more.

We give a big thanks to Persaud Entertainment LLC and CEO Valerie Persaud in helping make the events happen in the park this year. Their band always attracts the largest Downtown After Sundown audience when Ricky Persaud Jr hits our stage which btw will be August 17th, 2019.

South Orange Gazebo

Meanwhile at the Jazz On Sloan at the South Orange Gazebo venue which has produced some wonderful live music performances from some truly great and well known musicians the mission continues with almost 24 Hours of Jazz and R&B from local musicians around the area. This year thanks to Wayne Winborne who is Executive Director of 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.

They are supporting all the Jazz events throughout the 24 Hours Of Music jamboree. DC Jazz Fusion bandleader and bassist Darryl Clark will bring on stage some really cool friends. Joining Darryl Clark will be the former songwriter for Luther Vandross’s, world renowned pianist Nat Adderley Jr along with another heavy hitter jazz professional from the Count Basie band, saxophonist Marshall MacDonald.

The South Orange Gazebo will continue swinging hard all day into the evening with Richard Reiter’s Drum Circle and Jazz Band and a make you always want to dance MPAC R&B Music band. You also get to spend some time with our gifted versatile vocalist, actor, producer and director Lynette Sheard.

There’s also some really new very cool up and coming jazz musicians, like Seniar Raines, Mike Petillo, the Ben Frank Trio, Tim Rodner and yes drummer Bruce Tyler.  

Retrospective Downtown After Sundown - 24 Hours of Music -Etc 2018 from Gregory Burrus on Vimeo.

The evening highlight of the jazz day will be a Jazz Jam to end all Jams when we hit it off with Percussionist Norman Mann’s Birthday Celebration Jazz Jam. The musicians will be swinging, the vocalist will be singing and the gazebo will be jumping. All musicians and vocalist are welcome to come join in and jam with us at this truly unique one of a kind Norman Mann birthday celebration. It’s going to be hot!!!!! Overnight, keeping the music live all night will be newcomer Ilan Esienzweig, pianist Brianne Ford Live with local vocalist Kari Capone joining us in the 5 AM hour. Then our newcomer from Flip Da Skrip Tasha R Williams goes solo at 6 AM followed by 24 Hour of Music veterans Patricia Walton from MPAC and then it’s the Steve Jones Music hour. This will be followed by Jazz at from the Hassenfeld group.

Back in the Park

And also over in Spiotta Park there will be a real world 4 hour Blues Extravaganza in Spiotta Park kicked off by singer Liza Katzoff, followed by soulful Tara Layne and then Blues Jam Master Andy Lackow closes us out.

Around South Orange

In addition to the music at Spiotta Park and the South Orange Gazebo music will be all around South Orange, NJ on July 20th and 21st.  A number of local stores and restaurants are supporting the 24 Hours of Music Jamboree. Out on the avenue music lovers can enjoy the music on the way into and out of town when they encounter “The Little Shop of Hip Hop, BGR Burger, Café Word Bookstore, Elitist Coffee Shop, Jackie and Sons and more.

Events on the avenue are being supported by Lifestyle Advocate CC Minton.

Other around town regular live music locations are The Fox and Falcon hosting its popular Karaoke Night. Papillion 25 entertaining its customers with returning favorite MPACK music band while the South Orange Performing Arts Center has the wildly popular Ragtime, The Musical on its main stage. On Sunday morning attendees can attend an early morning Café Word Inspirational music session.

Support South Orange Rescue Squad

This year the nonstop music jamboree is hoping to bring town wide awareness to the current needs of the South Orange Rescue Squad. As 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, so let’s be there for them when they need us. The public is invited to contribute to the South Orange Rescue Squad by making a donation at https://www.southorangerescuesquad.org or in person during the 24 Hours of Music Jamboree.

2018 Thank You All and here’s to 2019 and having another blast of a good time.

Thanks to South Orange Village Center Alliance, South Orange Village, the musicians, supporters and volunteers that help make it happen.

Gregory Burrus Around Town
24 Hours of Music
South Orange Village Center Alliance
Live Music Ambassador

Keywords: Gregory Burrus Around Town, 24 Hours of Music , South Orange Village Center , Alliance, Live Music Ambassador, South Orange Rescue Squad., CC Minton., Lynette Sheard., Darryl Clark, Nat Adderley Jr , Marshall MacDonald.,  Jazz On Sloan at the South Orange Gazebo , Wayne Winborne Executive Director, Lifestyle empowerment, jazz, blues

The 2018 South Mountain International Blues Festival is Coming at You

Sunday, September 9, 2018
South Mountain Reservation in West Orange

By Gregory Burrus | Posted Saturday, August 18, 2018

Have you heard North Jersey's favorite Free Blues Party is coming your way?  A great day at the South Mountain International Blues Festival is being planned by the team so put the date SUNDAY, SEPT 9th in your calendars now. The South Mountain International Blues Festival is an annual event held the second Sunday of September. Nine years ago, Mike Griot, an Essex County based musician and promoter specializing in the blues circuit, founded the South Mountain International Blues Festival to raise awareness of the Blues, which has been described as “the classical music of America.”

And this year is no different as he sticks to the mission and brings you the blues – live and in person.  As Mike has been known to say, we are keeping the blues alive which is why it’s truly one of Northern NJ’s biggest free blues festival! 

This year, the annual festival will take place from noon to 8 p.m. on Sunday, Sept. 9th at the Cherry Lane/Oakdale Picnic Area at South Mountain Reservation in West Orange, we have something for everyone so take a moment and check out this year’s performers.

The Ben Stein Group 

Ben Stein appearing for the first time in the South Mountain International Blues Festival.  This young blues / rock lead guitar player resides here in North NJ with a large amount of live experience in the studio and clubs around the Northern New Jersey scene. He’s played music for his entire life and is looking forward to playing some serious blues and rock.

Debra Devi

Debra Devi - JamBase calls Debra Devi “a supersonic fret-burner with a deep feel for the blues who also writes hauntingly memorable songs.” American Blues Scene, which premiered Devi's "Tired of Waiting" music video, calls her guitar playing "hypnotic, heavy and bluesy," adding "there's a Gov't Mule vibe to her powerful band."

Devi is supporting her new Wild Little Girl EP at clubs and festivals along the East Coast, opening for national acts like Ana Popovic, Devon Allman and Nikki Hall. 

The EP is receiving raves for her classic rock/Americana sound and blazing guitar playing. Urban Politico says, “Devi's music radiates infectious joy, putting us in mind of The Black Crowes, Prince and Little Feet.” Good Times calls her "one of the most remarkable guitarists on the East Coast." 

Devi is also the author of the popular, award-winning blues glossary, The Language of the Blues: From Alcorub to Zuzu (foreword by Dr. John), which is blurbed by Bonnie Raitt and Joe Bonamassa. 

Black Lace Blues

Black Lace Blues is a cross-genre, cross-generation Blues Rock and Reggae band, incorporating original material with contributions from everyone, as well as select quality covers that span a range of musical styles. 

Veterans of many of the New York area jazz, rock and blues venues, the band has performed at numerous music venues such as: The Great Notch Inn, Spirit Pub, Montclair Arts Council Events, Ruthie's Pizza and BBQ, Trumpets Jazz Club, Montclair, NJ,  Montclair Center Stage, Hat City Kitchen, Orange, NJ,  West Paterson, NJ, Montville Music Festival, etc.

 "We don't just play the blues, but we bring the blues to everything we play"- Brian I Feldman. Get ready for some Blues, Rock, Reggae, Funk, R & B and Fusion… Oh Yeah.

Nation Beat

Nation Beat – Nation Beat singularly conjures up this elemental musical mojo, drawing on the wellsprings of rhythm that lit up jazz and got maracatu thundering. Nation Beat takes off with be-bop-via-Brazil drumming; propelled by percussive bursts of New Orleans-flavored brass. But forget the musical history; this is music to make you dance.

A 21st century mash-up of the thunderous grooves of northeastern Brazil with the strolling swagger of New Orleans funk. Nation Beat’s live shows have taken on an almost mythological aura for their ability to lift the souls, and the feet, of their growing cross-cultural audience. Band leader, drummer/percussionist Scott Kettner has long been at the forefront of merging different musical elements together, from the earliest days of Nation Beat's Brazil meets North American music.

Rockin Johnny Burgin

Rockin Johnny Burgin is one of the hardest touring and well recognized traditional Chicago blues guitarists and singers today. Since his start in the 90s on Chicago’s West Side with blues singer Taildragger, Johnny has played the Chicago blues festival many times, has headlined festivals all over the US and has become a leading blues attraction throughout the United States and Europe.

Over the years, he has developed from a blues guitar slinger and local blues hero into a fully-fledged singer, harmonica player, a dynamic and engaging bandleader, and a mature, seasoned guitarist.  One look at Johnny’s tour schedule confirms his status as an in-demand blues performer. Johnny currently does close to 250 shows a year worldwide.

King Solomon Hicks

King Solomon Hicks “is a 22-year-old guitarist/vocalist from the upper west side of New York City aka Harlem, NY. At the age of 13 Solomon started playing with the Cotton Club 17-piece band as Lead Guitarist and continues to perform there. He has been featured in The Washington Post, New York Daily News, The New York Times, Amsterdam News, etc and the PBS TV series American Music.

Trained in jazz guitar with the soul of a burgeoning blues master from Harlem. He was recently in Europe opening for Ringo Starr and Jeff Beck! Solomon has also performed with Tony Bennett, The Destroyers (George Thorogood), Neal Evans (Soulive), Jimmy Vivino (Bandleader for Conan O’Brien), Sam Moore, Marcus King, Stax Songwriter William Bell, John Nemeth, Blind Boy Paxton, Roger Earl (Foghat), Kim Simmonds (Savoy Brown), Davey Knowles, Ne-Yo, Jon Hendricks, Mike Stern and Lee Ritenour.

If you want a glimpse of what Muddy Waters was like at 23, look no further. King Solomon Hicks is one of the most electrifying and exciting young Blues guitarists around!

Are You Ready?  Sept 9, 12 Noon 2018 South Mountain International Blues Festival

As you can see this annual free South Mountain International Blues Festival showcases local and national blues artists from the Tri City Area. From those who are up and coming and making a difference on the Blues scene, all the way to the seasoned professionals who tour internationally around the world. The musicians are truly some of the best performers from around the country and you never know when Bass player Mike Griot, who has played all over the world and has recently just returned from playing a gig in Serbia may just join in the festivities.

This year we are expecting over 3,000 attendees to descend on the hill.

Folks will be shaking, dancing, picnicking and just having a god time listening to some great blues music.

Here’s a glimpse into the great day on the hill.

2017 Blues Star Regina Bonelli song -  “Don’t Put Your Hands On Me“ - rings loud across the Mountain capture by Gregory Burrus

Please come join in the festivities. The outdoor environment is gorgeous, there is plenty of parking, extremely kid friendly location which we will talk more about I the next article, the vibe is great, and the music is even better! Please visit us and learn more as we head toward Sept 9th.

EVENT WEBSITE: http://www.southmountainblues.com

FACEBOOK: https://www.facebook.com/southmountainbluesfest

About the Author

Gregory Burrus, Your Live Music Ambassador and Board Member North Jersey Blues Alliance, which supports the South Mountain International Blues Festival, invites you to stay tuned as there is much more to come. 

Gregory Burrus is a supporter of local businesses, community events, jazz, blues musicians and local art exhibitions. On a regular basis, Gregory Burrus is promoter and manager of Downtown After Sundown Live Music Concerts for South Orange, NJ.

Gregory promotes events through social media marketing, writing articles, blogging and photojournalism.  Having fun living life while helping others.

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