Are You Ready To Start Playing Around South Orange - Pianos Projects?

By Gregory Burrus | Posted Wednesday, August 29, 2018

For the 5th year, to the delight of many residents in the community, Playin’ Around South Orange project pianos were deployed on August 25th all Around South Orange.  Playin’ Around South Orange is a public art project that highlights both the visual and the performing arts.  Pianos transform into works of art themselves by extraordinary local artists, providing unexpected and delightful encounters and encourage active arts engagement in our day-to-day lives through the spontaneous making of music. https://www.sopacnow.org/community/sopianos/.

Playin’ Around South Orange Project Artist

This year, five artists were selected to design these pianos and then they are placed on the streets of South Orange, NJ.  The artists are: 

• The ARTS COUNCIL OF EAST ORANGE painted the piano at the South Orange Gazebo venue. Members of the council are: Gwendolyn ‘Arri’ Jackson, Irene Pomianowski lead the team (Jae Bianca Jackson, Helena L Branch, Jeffrey ‘Sizzy’ Osborne and Marsha Wilderson).

• Elina Rosenblum and Veronika Hapco painted the piano located at Spiotta Park.

• Jessica Skultety painted the Baby Grand piano on South Orange Ave.

• Kurk Maynard painted the piano located at Irvington.

• Bill Beillec painted the piano located at Seton Hall.

Playin’ Around South Orange Project Community Participation

A wonderful part of this project is that anybody can play these pianos.  In the last years, the community has come to expect them and start inquiring to their deployment Around South Orange in June.  Since the normal deployment is at the end of August, much anticipation is built up all summer long.  The pianos are out on the South Orange streets for 6 weeks and folks from in and out-of-town come through and enjoy them all day and night, too.  There is a map at https://www.sopacnow.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/08/PASO-Map-2018. These pianos are available for all to perform on, anytime the urge hits you.

Part of this weekend’s fun was the musicians that came out to play, such as Theo Walentiny playing on the South Orange Baby Grand piano with vocalist Elora Aclin while Mark Madonna of the Five Cent Philosophers and his son played tunes at the Jersey Divas piano.

Playin’ Around South Orange Project Musician’s Community Jam  Performances

Next up, we conduct community jams and performances during the evening for folks to come out and enjoy.  With some returning performers and a few newly selected performers, we now have a weekly performance/community jam schedule.  Also, in line with the Jazz Divas piano theme, our first selected pianist, Hal Keshner, has informed us that he may honor each Jersey Diva by playing a tune dedicated to each diva. 

The selected musicians that you should come out and support are:

• Bandleader, guitarist, singer, and pianist Hal Keshner - Thursday 8/30/2018 6-8PM

• Piano Man Robert Richardson & Vocalist Steven Grice - Thursday 9/13/2018 6-8PM

• Vocalist Barbara Hassenfeld and Friends - Tuesday 9/18/2018 6-8PM

• Music teacher and pianist Mustafa “Music King” Daniels - Thursday 9/27/2018 6-8PM

Join us, as all vocalists/instrumentalists are welcome to come join in the fun, before, after and during the performances.

Playin’ Around South Orange Project Wrap-Up

The closing of the Playin’ Around South Orange program falls on or about Sunday, October 7th. To honor each year’s pianos as pieces of art, they are auctioned off and/or donated to benefit SOPAC’s education programming.  Playin’ Around South Orange is proudly sponsored by Patti Donovan.  Artist and piano design are managed by the South Orange Performing Arts Center with local live music promoter Gregory Burrus managing the weekly community jams.  For more details please contact Linda Beard at (973) 382-1035.

About the Author

Gregory Burrus with Artist Irene Pomianowski

Gregory Burrus, Your Live Music Ambassador, 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, Playing Pianos Around South Orange, NJ, Farmers Market Jazz Jam along with many other musical ventures.

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

Follow on Social Media with #SOPianos

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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.

#northjerseyblues #northjerseybluesalliance #bluesmusic #sopianos #blues #southmountainbluesfestival  #mikegriot #gregoryburrusaroundtown #livemusicambassador #southorangefarmersmarket #southorangenj #jazzjam#downtownaftersundown #jazzonsloan #southorangegazebo #southorangevillagecenter

2018 Mid-Season Downtown After Sundown Live Jazz Music Recap & Preview

By Gregory Burrus | Posted Friday, August 10, 2018

In the first half of our 2018 Downtown After Sundown Summer Season that started May 25, 2018, we have had some absolutely wonderful, truly professional and swinging live jazz concerts. From a very pleasing opening weekend performances by vocalist Candice Reyes with saxophonist Abel Mireles of the CRQ Quintet that was followed by the TNT Quartet with Peter Lin and then Charlie Apicella, Gene Ghee and Radam Schwartz. We had a number of 100 plus audience members enjoy memorable performance led by the award winning 16-year-old pianist Leonieke Scheuble with Nick Scheuble, and the dynamic bassist Thadeus Expose. A very entertaining jazz fusion performance by Darryl Clark's DC Fusion band with drummer Abdullah Rahman, pianist Howard Hall and vibraphonist Kevin Sloane had folks hanging off the sidewalk, blocking gazebo traffic and continually asking for more.

Leonieke Scheuble Trio in Downtown After Sundown 2018

We've also had some truly great and well know jazz professionals and their bands come through our Jazz on Sloan Gazebo such as guitarist Charlie Apicella, saxophonist Gene Ghee, guitarist Bob DeVos, every body's favorite pianist Dave Braham, trombonist Ben Williams, veteran saxophonist Mike Kaplan, sax man Mike Lee, bassist Ed Howard, to a former semi-finalist in the Thelonious Monk International Drum Competition, drummer Sylvia Cuenca to everybody in between that played with all these folks, we can truly say "thank you" because the music has been jumpin.

We've had some absolutely wonderful local, talented vocalist come thru and knock us out, such as very talented vocalist Ife Basim, Hollis Donaldson, vocalist Omisanya Karade's Love and Light event and the 2014 International Women in Jazz “Youth in Action” award winner Natazsha Scheuble. Add in a few special performances like Eddie Brown's TASE Band, the special performance by the semi-finalist competitor of the prestigious Montreux Switzerland Jazz Festival, pianist Mamiko Wantanbe, and of course the extremely crowd pleasing evening by Flamenco guitarist Jonathan Fritz. Add in the live music of the Free Speech Quintet, the smooth night of music provided by the Richard Reiter Jazz band and the beautiful jazz music doesn't stop.

Allison V Brown production -Schwartz- Sanity in Downtown After Sundown

We just closed this half of the season with one phenomenal astounding night of live music when the prolific organist Radam Schwartz, who has played with the greats Arthur Prysock, Eddie Lockjaw Davis, Al Hibler, David Fathead Newman and one of my favorite organists Charles Earland. To our delight Radam brought out his 1970's real world Hammond B3 Organ, combined with Desmond Schwartz on Drums and Peter Lin on Trombone, they absolutely blew away another 100 plus standing room only gazebo crowd because once folks heard the music, they stopped and never left. Clearly we can say part 1 of the Downtown After Sundown Season has gotten off to a great start.

Maplewood Community Swing Town Big Band in Spiotta Park South Orange NJ

So, yes, from a 19-piece Maplewood Community Music Big Band in Spiotta Park to the always professional sounding Carol Deminski's Little Jazz Birds, we covered the gamut of jazz music that just makes people happy. 

We've has some wonderful visitors in our audience, such as noted jazz historian Barbara Kukla who recently completed The Encyclopedia of Newark Jazz, the venerable 85-year trombonist Slide Hampton, and more.  Yes, the audiences now pop in to spend the evening from Central Jersey, North Jersey and from New York City for our Jazz performances, which is very cool and we are just at the half way point.

2018 Downtown After Sundown 2nd Half of the Season - Jazz Preview

Well the 2nd half of the summer is here and as you can see we have a plethora of great Jazz performances coming your direction starting this weekend with our very own Grammy Award winning composer and violinist Zach Brock, whom Stanley Clark confirmed French Violinist Jean Luc Ponty's impression that Zach Brock is the guy "whose got the Stuff."

2018 Downtown After Sundown Jazz in the South Orange Village

Also this weekend from our South Orange family of jazz professionals will be the Johnson Brothers, Mark and Billy Johnson.  Drummer Mark Johnson, who is an established name in the international jazz scene since 1978 and a recipient of the National Endowment of the Arts grant, has played and toured with such artists as Abbey Lincoln, Walter Davis Jr., Cassandra Wilson, Jackie McLean, Freddie Hubbard, Stanley Turrentine, Steve Colman and David Murray to name just a few.  William Owens Johnson - Billy studied with such jazz greats as Ron Carter, Richard Davis, Buster Williams, Cecil McBee, and Rufus Reid, played with the touring big bands of vibraphone giant, Lionel Hampton and the great tenor saxophonist Illinois Jaquet, with whom he played at the 1992 presidential inaugural ball. Billy then went on to work with his greatest mentor, the most recorded hard bop drummer in history, Arthur Taylor. As a member of the final incarnation of Taylor’s Wailers, Billy toured the world extensively and developed fully from a big band sideman into a modern jazz musician.

In future articles we will mention other upcoming events but for now we will mention that Maplewoodstock standout performer Whitney Jackson will be gracing the South Orange Gazebo and showcasing her Jazz Vocalist skills. And a very special Jazz event is coming when DarrylClarkFusion is at Spiotta Park showcasing the likes of pianist Nat Adderley Jr., who spent much of his music career arranging and writing as music director for Luther Vandross tours, saxophonist Marshall McDonald, best known for his 20+ years on the Lead Alto chair with The Count Basie Orchestra, and performances with Lionel Hampton and Paquito D’Rivera amongst many other luminaries.  This special August 24th event will be in Spiotta Park.

Add in the fact we added in special once-a-month Sunday Jazz Jams which next up is the Peter Lin Jazz Jam and than add in a season ending major jazz jam with the Carrie Jackson All Stars. All vocalists and instrumentalists are invited in to participate.

South Orange Farmers Market and Playing Pianos Around South Orange

We still have more jazz performers and events we did not mention that happen at the Gazebo, like the Wednesday South Orange Farmers Market Jazz Jam and the Thursday SOPAC Playing Piano's Around South Orange, but its clear the Jazz On Sloan at the South Orange Gazebo is going to be swinging hard right up 'til the end of the Jazz season.

Yes, the Jazz scene is alive and kicking all Around South Orange, New Jersey with some of the best professionals, worldwide gracing the stage of the South Orange Gazebo and Spiotta Park, and we have a lot more to come.  Come on out and join your neighbors and friends and experience some of the best jazz there is worldwide right here in South Orange, New Jersey. It's all free, brought to you by the South Orange Village Center Alliance and the Town of South Orange, so stop on in and say hi.

Slide Locksley Hampton Gregory Burrus

Gregory Burrus, Your Live Music Ambassador, 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.

Check us out #downtownaftersundown #jazzonsloan #southorangegazebo #southorangevillagecenter #southorangenj #gregoryburrusaroundtown #sopianos #sofarmersmarket