By Gregory Burrus | Posted Tuesday, January 25, 2022

In continuing this series on the people, venues and programs that are helping keep jazz alive, I was very happy to encounter Mr. Norman Mann who has been on the forefront of keeping jazz alive for a long time. He has been building and promoting jazz performances and jazz jams for many years, and in this series of Keeping Jazz Alive #4 we highlight Norman Mann and his latest venture at the Cricket Club in Irvington, NJ.

Norman Mann — Bandleader, Percussionist

Norman Mann plays congas, percussion, and sings. He has appeared with many of the top musicians in our area. Norman and his bands have performed in numerous venues around Northern New Jersey such as Newark's Clements Place Jazz, Taste Restaurant, Priory Jazz Club, Duke’s Southern Kitchen, Montclair’s Trumpets Jazz, City of Orange’s Mr. Jays, South Orange’s Spiotta Park and Jazz On Sloan at The Gazebo program, along with many other venues. And yes, the music is always well received.

Norman Mann is an alumnus and a Weequahic High School Football Hall of Famer and is widely respected within the community. Norman is the CEO of G Mann Productions and is bandleader of the popular band Norman Mann and Rafiki, which you can read more about here: Jazz973 Swinging Hard with Norman Mann and Rafiki at Clements Place Jazz for Rutgers Institute of Jazz Studies. He has produced numerous jazz shows in many of the Tri-State area jazz clubs mentioned above. You may remember Norman who, along with Greg Salandis, managed the very popular jazz program at Skippers Plane Street Pub back in November 2007. Well, he's continuing the mission and his newest venture is producing Friday Night Jazz events at the Cricket Club Entertainment Complex.

Cricket Club Entertainment Complex

Jazz Program

Someone who recently attended a Friday Night Jazz session at the Cricket Club summed up their experience as this:

"Venturing out on a 10 degree wind chill night in January as a musician for a jam, or just as a fan, lacks the common sense that God gave a goat. But once you arrive and that music hits you, there is nothing better."

— A Jazz Fan

And to me, that's what it's all about, so I say take a quick listen to this December performance. As you can see and hear, the jazz is jumpin’ and the place is poppin’. Norman Mann curates a stellar list of local musicians and they perform some incredible sets of music.

It should be evident from listening that the musicians and the folks in attendance truly enjoy the jazz on any given Friday Night at the Cricket Club. The atmosphere is warm, inviting and laid back. The good part is you can be up close and personal with some really great jazz performances.

Service — Food — Drinks

The Cricket Entertainment Complex Service has timely service considering every industry is having issues securing resources. When I was there, the wait staff were very helpful and kept us informed on the progress of our order and our meals arrived in an appropriate time frame. Concerning food presentation, I'm not a fan of styrofoam containers, however I am told that in this world of a COVID pandemic, it is a safer, contactless way to serve food. The good part is the food was prepared well, hot and very tasty, and I would definitely order again. Drink prices were not overinflated and were actually very affordable.

Environment — Attendees

As you will see when you listen in, depending on the fans of that night’s performers along with the neighborhood regulars in attendance and the type of music, you can have a very engaging talkative crowd enjoying themselves and the music, and/or you may experience a listening crowd. The Cricket Club has both because when the jazz starts swinging and the audience gets involved, everybody starts having fun.

Parking

The other thing I should mention is that the Cricket Club has an awesome, large, one-level, fenced-in attached outdoor parking lot with plenty of space.

Summary

The look of this non-descript multi-story building doesn't do justice to the good time you will have once you settle into your seat. We were in the smaller of the three rooms and we had plenty of room to move around and had a great time. And don’t forget that Norman Mann is keeping jazz alive big time by bringing in world class jazz musicians every time.

What’s Next and How Can You Support the Cause?

Jazz Programs

Attend the weekly Friday Night Jazz program.

Events Calendar

https://www.facebook.com/norman.mann.33
https://www.facebook.com/CricketClub411/

Contact

Norman Mann (973) 518-4498

Donate

When you show up, be nice to the tip bucket.

Final Thoughts

Don't hesitate to support live music. Make some time in your schedule to visit Norman Mann at the Cricket Club this year for some great jazz.

Say hi to everybody and don't forget to let me know how your visit went. Take some pics, tag me and/or send directly to me via text or FB msg and, of course, enjoy the live jazz entertainment.

About the Writer — Gregory Burrus

Gregory Burrus books bands and produces, promotes, captures, and records live music events along with various community and private activities. My mission is to help my customers, which are community groups, live music bands, and local nonprofits, reach their goals and accomplish their missions while enjoying the day-to-day process of life.

Learn more at:
https://24hoursofmusicjamboree.com
https://gregoryburrusproductions.com

Get Featured

So these Jazz Locations are some pretty cool places, with awesome support groups and, more importantly, supportive venue owners, hoping and helping to keep the Jazz Alive for a long long time. If you want your favorite Jazz venue listed, let me know and I'll get you in on the next scheduled post. https://gregoryburrusproductions.com/contact/