Jazz in the Community for Your Social Wellbeing, Featuring the Dynamic and Powerful Dre Barnes Quartet (Friday, May 6, 5-7PM, Newark, NJ)

By Gregory Burrus | Posted Tuesday, May 3, 2022

Time to come out to meet and greet with friends, family, neighbors and jazz lovers. A time to affirm… this is an event to build wholeness in our community!  Please join us, as the music will be swinging and slammin’.

Not so long ago, the Weequahic Park community building sorely needed an upgrade to complement everything the public grounds had to offer. The Essex County executive, with some much-needed input and help from South Ward community leaders, got to work to envision a new building. Once the county secured a grant from the state to fund construction for a new facility, the project broke ground in December 2020.  Nine months after construction commenced, local, county and state leaders descended upon the new building, named the Feldman Middleton Jr. Community Center, to dedicate what Gov. Phil Murphy called the new “crown jewel” of the South Ward. 

Feldman Middleton Jr. Community Center

This high-use park and its facilities are an absolute beauty and the community is very proud of the jewel. This Friday, the community will join in a gathering for Social Wellbeing! After all we have been through, it’s time to affirm each other and build wholeness in our lives. Come join us and rekindle old friendships and build new relationships while enjoying the community and enveloping yourself in some truly swinging, fantastic jazz, refreshments, and goodwill!

This is a free Community Jazz Event. Register today and let us know you are coming through, and enjoy these professional musicians listed below that will be performing for you at this event.

Dre Barnes — Jazz Pianist

Born in Philadelphia, Dre Barnes started piano lessons at a young age and developed a good ear for jazz. While a teenager, Dre performed with his high school jazz and ensemble and performed in various venues within and outside the school. Barnes attended William Paterson University to study music and further his opportunities to play jazz. Dre went on to further his studies at Rutgers University graduate program where he studied under jazz master pianist Kenny Barron.

Upon graduation from Rutgers University, Barnes formed a trio and performed at several venues in the Tri-State area. Barnes has performed with a wide array of artists including; vocalist LaDee Streeter, saxophonists Willie Williams, Don Braden, and Stacey Dilliard, Bassists Curtis Lundy, and the T.S. Monk Septet to name a few. Barnes' most recent recording “Wandering Spirits” features drummer Lewis Nash and Bassist Reuben Rogers. Barnes notes Cedar Walton, John Hicks and the late Mulgrew Miller as primary influences.

“Dre Barnes is an impressive jazz pianist and composer who delivers his choice notes with a firm touch and potent rhythmic heft” Zan Stewart, The Star Ledger.

Read more: www.drebarnes.studio

Lance Bryant — Saxophone

Saxophonist, arranger and vocalist Lance Bryant performs in the New York/New Jersey area. When Lance is not performing his own music he is touring with revered South African pianist, Abdullah Ibrahim, performing and recording as saxophonist with fellow New York area players, teaching and writing commissioned arrangements for other artists and bands. Lance comes out of Markham, Illinois, a small town near Chicago. He received his formal music education at Berklee College of Music in Boston, MA, where he studied saxophone, composition and arranging. After moving to New York City in the mid. 1980s, Lance continued his education, studying saxophone and arranging privately with Frank Foster, the former director of the Count Basie Orchestra. He also studied composition with Bruce Adolphe of Lincoln Center’s Chamber Music Society. In 1990 Lance began his decade-long relationship with the Lionel Hampton Orchestra and in 1993 became the Orchestra's Musical Director and Principal Arranger. Lance also made his film debut in Spike Lee's Malcolm X and traveled extensively with Phyllis Hyman, Jon Hendricks, Pete "LaRocca" Sims, Wallace Roney, Abdulah Ibrahim, Bootsy Collins, James Williams and others. In the early summer of 2000, Lance was selected as an on-stage musician for the Broadway production of the musical review Swing!, which received six Toni nominations.

Read more: www.lancebryant.com

Sir G. Earl Grice — Drums

Started playing drums at the age of 3 years old. Began performing with many gospel choirs and groups in the New York area for over 30 years. Has performed with many artists and genres including jazz, gospel, funk, rock, R&B, latin, reggae, pop, and marching. Has shared the stage with artists such as Sonny Rollins, Clark Terry, Stevie Wonder, George Benson, Gary Bartz, and many others. Was entered in the “Who's Who in Newark Jazz” section of the book, “America's Music, Jazz in Newark”, and also “The Encyclopedia of Newark Jazz”. Both books are authored by Barbara Kukla. Has performed with his quintet to a sold-out crowd at “Thelonious Jazz Club” in Buenos Aires, Argentina. Has performed abroad at the “Coronet” in London, GB; the “Blue Note” in Milan, IT; and also in the country of Kazakhstan (former Soviet Union). Has performed with recording artists Crown Heights Affair, Ronny Jordan, and Roy Meriwether.

Drums/Actor. Crown Heights Affair, Ronny Jordan, Sonny Rollins, Rhoda Scott. 50+ movies & TV shows. Sir G. Earl Grice Drummer/Actor (New York, NY) Has appeared in 50+ movies and television shows as an actor.

Read more: www.allaboutjazz.com/musicians/sir-g-earl-grice 

David Kingsnorth — Bass

Double bassist David Kingsnorth received his MA in Music from Montclair State University, studying with Linda McKnight and twice winning the Cali School Writing Award. He holds bachelor’s degrees in Mathematics and Music from the University of California, Berkeley. He is an active performer in both the jazz and classical music genres, having performed with Oscar Brown Jr., Richard Wyands, Frank Jackson, New Jersey Ballet and the Summit Symphony.

And David Kingsnorth, bass, is known for his stellar work with guitarist Rick Stone & pianist Ted Kooshian. Has performed at venues such as PAPILLON 25 Restaurant and Martini Bar, Live At Mezzrow, and numerous other venues around the area.

Read more: www.montclair.edu

Be informed, come enjoy some great jazz, build political awareness, and improve your social being as you connect with others in our community. May 6, 5-7 PM.

About the Writer, Gregory Burrus

Gregory Burrus - Weequahic Park Feldman Middleton Jr. Community Center

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    

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.