An Exquisite Powerful Night of Jazz and Elegant Entertainment on The Newark Waterfront

By Gregory Burrus | Posted Sunday, May 16, 2021

It’s time to get ready for a very exciting live music event, exquisite food and more. On Memorial Day Weekend James Scott, Chief Executive Officer and Founder at Global Mixed Gender Basketball, is producing a 2-day VIP event called “A Night on the Waterfront.” James Scott and his Jam Network TV Promotions Team is preparing a truly fabulous and spectacular 2-day live jazz music and entertainment explosion at the Newark Waterfront Center located at 1100 McCarter Highway in Newark, NJ. James Scott has put together an impressive list of performances over two days for folks listening and actual participation enjoyment. 

“The objective of “A Night on the Waterfront” is for people to come together and enjoy a truly fabulous good time with their family, friends, community neighbors alongside some of our local, national and historical entertainment figures of our times.” — James Scott, CEO, GMGB

As one can see, James Scott is all about providing a very memorable experience and for me, being an avowed jazz lover and live music ambassador, I immediately signed on, of course, to help get the word out about this awesome Jazz performance that has been put together for this fabulous event. 

Lineup — Saturday Eve Jazz Performances  

The exclusive jazz line up includes world class professional musicians with a lineage spanning decades and decades of jazz history. The performers have connections and personal influences from the 1920's that continue to our present day environment.  

The event's jazz activities include the outstanding 15-piece George Gee Swing Orchestra. This big band is known all over the world and will be led by renown bandleader George Gee. This will be followed by one of the most talented pianists and composers alive, Nat Adderley Jr., who is well known as the songwriter/composer for Luther Vandross, Beyonce, amongst other big stars. Nat's lineage is connected to world class and highly revered jazz musicians Cannonball Adderley and Nat Adderley. The evening's events will also include a performance that will feature the former WNBA superstar and now TV actress and singer, Kym Hampton. Performances details for the night are: 

George Gee Swing Orchestra

Bandleader George Gee Swing Orchestra —Big Band Jazz is a cultural phenomena that is big fun to listen and dance to anywhere in this country and is loved across the world!  A generation of folks are very nostalgic for it. Here in New York, Big Band leader George Gee dominates the Big Apple Big Band swing scene as he holds court weekly at the number one New York City Times Square swing jazz nightspot, the Swing 46 Jazz And Supper Club. A native New Yorker, George always loved music. He grew up with rock’n’roll and R&B but in his teens, he developed a powerful passion for jazz — especially the big band styles of Count Basie, Duke Ellington, Lionel Hampton, Benny Goodman, Cab Calloway and other legends.   

If you know anything about big bands, this performance will be amazing as George Gee in 2020 announced the launch of their 40th Anniversary of swingin’ and spreading the Big Band Sound to audiences throughout the world inclusive of 23 years in NYC at Swing 46. This is an amazing accomplishment in today's fast paced, short term appreciation world. George Gee is a master showman who definitely knows how to ensure that you will have a great time. 

Nat Adderley, Jr. — Pianist/Composer/Arranger/Producer 

Nat Adderley, as a pianist, has some amazing accomplishments from the 70s and 80s. Nat wrote/arranged Luther Vandross’s first top 20 pop hit, “Stop to Love”, and “Wait for Love” and the Grammy-nominated “Give me the Reason.”  Nat also arranged many of Luther’s most popular records, including “The Closer I Get To You”, a duet with Beyonce Knowles that is featured on Beyonce’s grammy-winning Dangerously in Love, on Luther’s Grammy-winning “Dance With My Father” which won the Grammy in 2004 for best R&B performance by a duo or group. In 2003, Nat produced Luther’s Live 2003 at Radio City Music Hall. Nat was Luther’s musical director from 1981 until Luther’s passing. Nat developed tracks for the Temptations’ CD Awesome and Ruben Studdard’s Love Is and he played piano (and/or keyboards) on all the above mentioned recordings, and many many more.  

So besides Pop and R&B, what’s even more amazing is Nat’s lineage, which has roots which are anchored way back in the jazz industry. Born into jazz royalty as the son and nephew of jazz greats, trumpeter Nat Adderley and saxophonist Julian "Cannonball" Adderley, his father Nat Adderley (1931–2000) was a composer, jazz cornet and trumpet player, while his uncle Cannonball Adderley (1928–1975) was a jazz alto saxophonist well known for the hit “Mercy, Mercy, Mercy.” 

For A Night on the Waterfront, Nat’s Quartet will bring a set of all-star jazz professionals, featuring: 

Vince Ector, Jazz Drummer and Recording Artist - performs regularly in New York City with several ensembles such as: The Grammy Award winning Charles Mingus Orchestra & Big Band, The Orrin Evans Quartet and Captain Black Big Band and his own band in venues such as: The Blue Note, Smoke, The Iridium, Dizzy's Club Coca-Cola, Smalls and The Jazz Standard among others. Vince Ector is also the Founder, President and Executive Director of Arts For Kids Inc., a not-for-profit Arts-in-Education company.

Chris Berger on bass - always in demand bassist that has performed, toured, and recorded with such jazz luminaries as John Abercrombie, Toshiko Akiyoshi, Jimmy Cobb, David Hazeltine, Joe Lovano, Junior Mance, Mickey Roker, Jeff "Tain'' Watts, Loston Harris, James Williams, Russell Malone, Eric Alexander, and Maria Schneider Big Band. He has toured the United States, Europe, and Asia with legendary trumpeter Maynard Ferguson and his Big Bop Nouveau.

Mike Lee on tenor sax and flute - Mike has performed with Loston Harris, Dave Stryker, Wallace Roney, TS Monk, the Dizzy Gillespie All-Star Big Band, the Jimmy Heath Orchestra, Oliver Lake Big Band, Josh Evans Big Band, and the Roy Hargrove Big Band. Recent tours have taken him 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 the Jazz House Kids in-house jazz education program.

Kym Hampton - Singer, Actress, WNBA Superstar & GMGB Executive 

As a WNBA Legend, Kym Hampton completed a spectacular 15-year professional basketball career not only in the WNBA, but Spain, Italy, France and Japan. She is also a professional and sports brand spokesperson for the NBA, WNBA, New York Liberty and New York Knicks. In addition Kym Hampton is also the Global Mixed Gender Basketball League’s Consultant and Coach. 

Kym has appeared in the pages of Glamour Magazine, Essence Magazine and many other magazines and is also a television and film personality. The multi-talented Hampton has had appearances on the “Cosby Show”, “Rosie”, NBA TV, The Bobby Flay “Throw Down” and celebrity “Wheel of Fortune'' and the films “JuWanna Mann” and “She Hate Me.”

For a Night on the Waterfront, you will notice that when you first see Kym, her statuesque frame and beauty immediately command your attention. As a vocalist she allows the rich, smooth, yet powerful melodies to flow from her mouth and one immediately gets the sense that she was born to sing and entertain us. Hampton is blessed with a 3-octave range allowing her to flow freely in and out of the highs and lows of the moment. Singing has always been a love of Kym’s, and she was a regular at a nightclub (Insomnia) in Italy. 

About the Night On The Waterfront Founder - James Scott - Founder GMGB

James Scott is a seasoned entrepreneur, real estate owner and investor relations professional with a proven track record of securing capital financing for new business development in various industry verticals. James started his business ventures in the area of real estate, construction and property management, overseeing multi-million dollar luxury condo budgets as early as the mid 1990’s. His agility in financial transformations and product management, enable him to dismember venture components and ensure maximum capitalization and revenues for the investor.  

He is a business leader that conceptualizes new ideas and develops market-ready individual, corporate and governmental business models. His profound sense of timing and ability to identify unmet market needs helped him co-create the Mixed Gender Basketball League, which was later developed into the Global Mixed Gender Basketball League. Coming out of the pandemic, it's this foresight that led James to conceive A Night on the Waterfront to lead us towards our new normal via a spectacular night of jazz and entertainment that will help us all recover and enjoy ourselves. 

Event Location

As part of the location identification team, CC Minton and James Scott have visited Newark Waterfront Center and CC Minton of I Love Beautiful Spaces stated, "the location is central and easily accessible from the local highways and is part of downtown Newark. The Waterfront location is very well laid out considering we are coming out of a pandemic, has parking and the attendees will be able to enjoy the nights activities from inside and outside all night long. If you ever want to impress your friend, your neighbor or loved one, then I highly recommend you grab a ticket and come enjoy yourself. It's going to be a fabulous experience all weekend long.”

Newark Waterfront Center

Come Join The Fun — Talent Showcase and VIP Experience

Folks should also know that in addition to the above, there is much more to A Night on the Waterfront, as it's a complete two day experience, so you should consider joining in all the activities of this fabulous weekend. The event also includes:

Talent Showcase 

There is a Talent Explosion on Friday, May 28th with Kangol Kid & Friends, a talent showcase competition showcasing the top R&B and Hip-Hop artists across the trip-state, judged by top industry professionals.

VIP Platinum Package

On Saturday after the jazz, there is a VIP Platinum Experience Package that includes comedy from 6 of the funniest HBO and Comedy Central top acts, champagne and a lobster dinner. After dinner, you can dance the night away to two of the tri-state area's top DJ’s, DJ Hakim Bell and Chuck Chillout from WBLS. 

Sponsors / Supporters 

Life Luxe Jazz

Life Luxe Jazz is “a premiere luxury cultural experience with jazz as the focal point, bringing people together with common interests in music, culture and exceptional cuisine with the goal of building bridges across borders." Their mission is to foster new and existing relationships through cultural exchange and tourism benefiting the communities they touch. They offer premium-quality live entertainment, cuisine and environments which exceed the expectations of the discerning jazz aficionado. It’s about promoting quality living through health and wellness, recreational, nutritional and lifestyle enhancement offerings.

Gregory Burrus Productions will perform a number of online, social media and PR promotional activities. Gregory Burrus is a local live music event producer, promoter, social media manager, event developer and community partner that develops, manages, promotes and documents local community events in the Greater New Jersey and New York Area. Gregory Burrus reports and blogs about the local arts and entertainment scene and also writes and reports on local community events, showcasing, photographing, videotaping events and happenings as they occur all around the towns. 

Sponsors and Supporters are still being accepted to ensure this night becomes one folks truly remember. To become a sponsor, you can contact James Scott or email thefulltimedramaqueenstudios@gmail.com or call 646-300-2428.

We urge you to find some friends, come on out and have a good time. Learn more at a 'A Night On The Waterfront' A Night of Jazz and Entertainment. 

Making a Difference - Mustafa Music King Daniels Playing Around South Orange

By Gregory Burrus | Posted Wednesday, September 26, 2018

South Orange Performing Arts Center (SOPAC)’s annual program, Playin’ Around South Orange, launches in the summer, bringing live music and art in the form of hand-painted pianos and outdoor performances to five separate South Orange locations. 

Playing Around South Orange - Artist, Piano, Musicians

Kick-off day festivities include live performances by professional musicians at each of the piano locations. The visual artists will also be in attendance at their pianos. With simultaneous mini-concerts happening all over town, the day is sure to be music and art-inspired.

Each year, local artists complete an application process for the honor of transforming an old piano into a contemporary piece of art. On average, each artist donates 30 or more hours per piano to bring this musical event to life. Paint and supplies either come from the artists themselves or are donated by local businesses.

Pianos are donated by various individuals from throughout the community. Director of SOPAC Community Engagement, Linda Beard, keeps her eyes and ears open for possible donations all year long, sometimes asking people to “hold on to” their instruments for several months for lack of storage space until the summer comes around again. Her goal for the program is “to interrupt the humdrum day-to-day and allow people the opportunity to interact with different genres of art in a unique way.” She says with obvious enthusiasm, “It’s about bringing what we do inside the [SOPAC] building outside the building.”

Playing Around South Orange Pianos Community Music and Jam Open Mic Event

The pianos are deployed around South Orange, NJ for approximately 6 weeks. A wonderful part of this project is that anybody can play these pianos. 

2017 Playing Pianos Around South Orange Peacock Piano

In prior years, the community has come to expect them and in early June, residents start inquiring about their deployment around South Orange. As the normal deployment is usually the last week of August, community anticipation is built up about their arrival throughout the summer. When the pianos are finally deployed around South Orange, they stay out for 6 weeks or more, and folks from in and out-of-town come through and enjoy them all day and sometimes all night. These pianos are available for all to perform on, anytime someone feels the need to tickle the ivories. 

Weather is an obvious challenge for the instruments. SOPAC staff try to watch the forecast while the pianos are out, but occasionally a compassionate citizen will take notice of an impending storm and spontaneously pull a SOPAC-supplied blue tarp over the artwork, preserving it for a few more improvisational concerts. “That’s exactly the kind of behavior we are looking to ignite,” notes SOPAC’S Linda Beard. “We want the community to take ownership of this experience and realize that these instruments are not ‘ours;’ they belong to South Orange.”

A wonderful part of this season is a set of orchestrated community jam performances that are conducted on a weekly basis. This year, Gregory Burrus, a local community live music producer, promoter and photojournalist, is coordinating and curating the musicians that will perform. For 2 hours once a week, a musician is selected to perform on and around these pianos. The musicians are allowed free rein in what they want their event to consist of during their performance time. And anyone from the community can come on in and join in the fun. 

Mustafa Music Man Daniels

This year on Sept 27, Mustafa MusicKing Daniels takes the reins in this very special installment of SOPAC South Orange Performing Arts Center’s Playing Around South Orange Pianos.  Last year, he was great; this year even better, as he will be joined by his friends from Soul Xpressiion.

Who is Mustafa Music King Daniels?

Mustafa Daniels was born and raised in Newark, NJ.  Daniels first began to discover and play piano at the tender age of nine-years-old, under the direction of Lanie Turner at Belmont Runyon Elementary School in Newark, NJ.  From there, he went on to receive numerous music and performance awards throughout his grade school years, such as the Connie Woodruff Jazz Competition Award in 2001 and the Star Ledger Performing Arts Scholarship in 2002.  He is a proud and distinguished alumnus of Arts High School in Newark, NJ.  He is accredited for participating in Arts High School’s Jazz Band, Male Chorus, Advanced Chorus, Gospel Choir, and had a lead role in the 2001 Arts High School Production of Guys and Dolls.

Mustafa Daniels also had the pleasure and honor to perform at the 2001 VH1 televised Save the Music Foundation concert in the company of India.Arie, Mariah Carey, and former President Bill Clinton.

He was an active member in the United States Marine Corp Band, where he held an E3 rank of Lance Corporal. He spent three-and-a-half-years traveling and performing with the Corp as their pianist before he made his way back to New Jersey.

Daniels worked as a Music Consultant for Newark Public Schools for six years . He was also very active in community activities such as Newark Idol, the Lincoln Park Summer Series and, more recently, the Arts High School Latin Jazz Band.

Daniels works as a piano instructor, music producer, songwriter, composer, and director. He specializes in gospel, jazz, pop and R&B music. He is the current Minister of Music for Unity Freedom Baptist Church in Newark, NJ and has been an active member of the church’s music department for over ten years. In August of 2013, Daniels independently released his first gospel EP, Sounds of Praise and Worship that featured songs: “God Made Me a Promise,” “Lord I Give My All to You” and “Don’t Hold Back.” In January of 2014, he independently released his second gospel EP that featured songs: “Seek First, Are You Ready?,” and “Simply Beautiful".” In 2014, Daniels began to offer piano and music theory lessons to family, church members, and friends of all ages. In 2015, he joined Soul Xpressiion Performing Arts Studio out of Orange, New Jersey as their piano instructor.

Mustafa Daniels would ultimately like to advance in his music career as a songwriter, producer and instructor of great music to uplift and bring people closer to God and each other.

About Soul Xpressiion School of the Arts

Soul Xpressiion School of the Arts

“Our school aims to create a faith-based environment for children and adults, with and without disabilities, to learn and develop their skills within the arts.”

Who runs Soul Xpressiion School of the Arts? 
 Founder, Artistic Director Kenyani Shanai Henderson

Shanai is the owner and artistic director of Soul Xpressiion School of the Arts. She was born and raised in Linden, New Jersey with her loving family. She began her dance training within her church’s dance ministry, Judah, where she learned her foundation of ballet, modern, and liturgical dance. Shanai then continued her dance training as a dance major student in high school and a member of Linden High School’s Dance Company under the direction of Barbara Greco-Brady. Shanai was formally a company member of Work of Art (WOA) Dance Theater from 2010 to 2012 and was featured in the annual Christmas show Spellbound and production Deliver Us. Shanai also performed at Sisters Network, Inc.’s Women Empowerment program hosted by actress/dancer Victoria Rowell in 2011.

Shanai was also a member of Revelations Dance ministry out of Newark, NJ under the direction of Crystal Glass, and performed along with company at Newark Symphony Hall’s Christmas production and the 2014 McDonald’s Gospel Fest at the Prudential Center in Newark, NJ. In 2014, Shanai was the choreographer of the off-Broadway play, Life of an Addict, at the renowned Symphony Space Theater in NYC.

She received her Master’s Degree in Occupational Therapy (OT) and holds a B.A. in Social and Behavioral Sciences with a concentration in Psychology, receiving both degrees from Seton Hall University. In conjunction with her academics, she was an instructor/choreographer for Touching Humanity Inc., a non-profit theatre/educational organization that creates services and opportunities for children/adults with various disabilities.

Combining her OT and dance skills, she is able to fulfill her dream in assisting those with disabilities, to help children and adults participate in performing arts despite their disabilities. Devoting her dance to Christ, Shanai was the Dance ministry leader at Abundant Life Family Worship Church in New Brunswick, NJ, the liturgical dance instructor for Inspira Performing Arts & Cultural Center, and is now the Director of Dance at Resting Place HOP in Woodland Park, NJ.

Filled with the love to teach, Shanai was also an educator at North Star Academy in Newark, NJ, teaching advance drill step to her after-school enrichment program and currently works as a school-based occupational therapist. She is also an Adjunct Professor for the Dance Fundamentals Course at Seton Hall University.

She loves to see others learn and find a joy in learning the arts. She plans to continue to inspire others through dance and all art forms, while creating an atmosphere where students can “Express themselves with all their Heart and Soul.” http://www.soulxpressiion.org/ 

Mr. Mustafa and Friends, Soul Xpressiion, in Playing Around South Orange Pianos

This Thursday 9/27, Mustafa MusicKing Daniels takes the reins in this very special installment of SOPAC South Orange Performing Arts Center’s Playing Around South Orange Pianos Project. Last year, he was great; this year even better as he will be joined by his friends from Soul Xpressiion. Kenyani Shanai Henderson of Soul Xpressiion School of the Arts stated, “Soul Xpressiion will be accompanying Mr. Mustafa in South Orange as he plays for Playing Around South Orange Pianos Project. Come out and watch our students and friends dance along to the numerous piano songs. All of our Thursday dance instructors will be present, conducting their classes and PERFORMING! You don’t want to miss this event.”

This event is free and open to the public and very kid-friendly. Spread the word, bring yourself, bring the kids and join in.

Learn more and join us: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/mustafa-musicman-daniels-and-friends-soul-xpressiion-tickets-50674683342 

Interview with Alexis Pellegrino (Lex Rex and the Dragons)

By Sonia Schnee | Posted Friday, April 13, 2018

NJ's Alexis Pellegrino, aka Lex Rex (Lex Rex and the Dragons), just release a new music video for her song, "Ain't Nothin," from her EP Tides (you can listen to Tides on Spotify, iTunes, Tidal, Google Play, and Amazon).  Check out our interview with Lex, below, to learn about her style, musical influences, and the inspiration behind her new EP. 

What's your name, where are you from, where are you based now?

I am Alexis Pellegrino aka Lex Rex.  I'm originally from Northern NJ.  I am now based in Ocean County.

Tell us about your music.  How would you describe your style or sound?  Where do you record?  Who are your influences, musically?

Last year, I released a Hip-Hop single.  I don’t think people were expecting Tides to sound the way it does.  I went from spitting bars to singing.  It definitely put me out of my comfort zone for sure, but I’ve been writing pop music since I was in elementary school.  I finally decided to go with it.  I love writing melodies over some smooth synth or a nice beat. 

I recorded Tides at Eight Sixteen/Traxx East Studio in South River, NJ.  I absolutely love them there, they are like family. 

My musical influences are pretty wide ranged (I’d like to think).  Frank Ocean, MJ, Earth Wind and Fire, The Internet, Led Zeppelin, The Stones, Stevie Wonder, Madonna, The Weekend, Kanye West, The Stooges, Nirvana.  Growing up my dad would play Disco/Motown/Jazz/R&B…. so I would like to think I started off on the right foot as a kid ;). 

Directed by Christian Cordes. 

Congrats on the new music video! 

Thank you!  Because Tides has a throwback kind of feel, I’ve been figuring out ways to tie in retro design/film with modern day design/film.  I love it, mostly because you learn a lot about how far we have come in design, technology, etc. from studying the past.

What's the meaning or inspiration behind some of your newest songs?  How do you want people to feel when they listen to your music?

Honestly, the EP is about an Ex-lover.  A friend told me that this is “The saddest happiest sounding EP they have ever heard.”  The music is upbeat for the most part, but if you listen to the lyrics, they are rather deep/emotional/sad or coming from a place of hope for the future.  I hope people connect with my music.  I think there is a song for everyone on the EP, and I love how diverse it is.  It was honestly very challenging but super rewarding to hear the finished product.  I honestly wanted people to feel like there was hope for them even in a place of feeling worthless, low, and stuck in a bad place.

Tell us a little bit about yourself.  How did you get started with music?  What's been your personal journey?  Are there any artists, bands, or producers who you'd love to collaborate with one day?

I started getting into doing live music through dance/theater.  I fell in love at an early age.  Started dancing at age 3, and then it just took off from there! 

Current bands or artists I’d love to collaborate with would be Frank Ocean/SZA.  Both of them together would be ideal.  I am heavy on the R&B, always. 

What words of advice or encouragement would you give to someone who wants to follow a similar passion, or is maybe facing obstacles similar to what you've faced?

Keep doing YOU!  NEVER give up and NEVER second guess yourself.  Also, push yourself out of your comfort zone at least once a day, you’ll find you grow from stepping out of your own zone! 

What's next on the horizon for you?  Any upcoming shows, singles, music videos, or plans for the next album?

I will continue to release new music videos to go with the songs on the EP as well as some future live performance dates, TBA ;). 

Finally, how can people find you online? 

I am on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and Youtube!

Links:
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/lexrexandthedragons/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/LXRXNDTHDRGNS
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lexrexandthedragons/?hl=en
Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCsNZq756vBPGmbwSVAHwGiw?view_as=subscriber