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 

Darryl Clark Tribute in the 5th Annual 24 Hours Of Music Jamboree

By Gregory Burrus | Posted Wednesday, November 10, 2021

On September 26th, the Live Music Community came together with friends, family and fellow musicians to celebrate the life of local West Orange resident Bass Man Darryl Clark. Folks came from as far as Massachusetts, New York and more to express their sentiments. Folks who could not make this event in person, joined in and viewed the livestream from New York, Florida, California and more.

We had tried this in July, but the 2nd time was a charm as on a perfect weather day the community came together for the 5th Annual 24 Hours Of Music Jamboree Sunday that celebrated the life of bass player, father and community member Darryl Clark. Darryl became a fixture on the live music scene as he performed in numerous live music events in and around South Orange NJ. Always friendly, always helpful, Darryl jammed with us, produced some truly swinging performances and enjoyed playing bass all over the area.

It was a beautiful day, the weather was great as we recreated a number of environments Darryl performed in.

1. The South Orange Farmers market where Darryl jammed numerous times.

2. His band DC Fusion with former band members Howard Hall and Alex DeLazzari.

3. The Nat Adderley Jr. Trio as Nat was one of his biggest supporters and played with Darryl Clark many times in Spiotta Park.

We also live streamed events overnight with submitted performances by his college buddy saxophonist Marshall McDonald and vocalist Lynette Sheard, amongst others, who performed with him in the past.

Below is a taste of each of the live music tribute events that reflected Darryl’s musical life in and around South Orange with friends and family.

Full events will be found at https://vimeo.com/gregoryburrus.

South Orange Farmers Market Jam led by Peter Lin

A taste of the Peter Lin Trio Tribute to Darryl Clark in the 5th Annual 24 Hours Of Music Jamboree in Spiotta Park, South Orange NJ.

A huge thank you to Peter Lin Trio with Gordon Kuba on Drums, Billy Smolen on Bass and led by Peter Lin on Trombone for leading off Day 2 of the 24 Hours Of Music Jamboree. It was a perfect and fitting tribute of live music for our buddy Bass man Darryl Clark as we recaptured the South Orange Farmers Market Jazz Jams.

Jazzy Nights DC Fusion Band led by Howard Hall 

Here we have a little bit of Darryl’s original band, DC Fusion, in Tribute to Darryl Clark in 5th Annual 24 Hours Of Music Jamboree in Spiotta Park, South Orange NJ.

Thank you to DC Fusion Jazz, led by the Howard Hall Quartet, in celebration of the DC Fusion Band, Darryl Clark Rides Again on Day 2 of the 24 Hours Of Music Jamboree.

DC Fusion rode one more time in honor of Darryl Clark with Coo Moe Jhee on Bass, band member Alex De Lazzari on Sax, filling in Errold Lanier Jr. on Drums, and led by Howard Hall on Keys. Thank you all for replaying the tunes he loved and for recreating the Jazzy Nights scene. Especially nice was calling up the folks he loved to play with as they came through. Just fabulous live music all around, all day on a beautiful sunny day.

Family and Friends Tributes led by Gregory Burrus

Folks came from as far as Massachusetts to express their sentiments. 

Folks who could not make this event in person joined in and watched the livestream from New York, Florida, California and more.

The tributes were amazing.

Fellow Musicians Led by Neighbor Nat Adderley Jr.

A taste of the Nat Adderley Jr. Tribute to Darryl Clark at the 5th Annual 24 Hours Of Music Jamboree with Chris Berger & Jerome Jennings.

A big thank you goes out to the Nat Adderley, Jr. Trio for headlining the day and closing out our 5th Annual 24 Hours Of Music Jamboree. From the 1st tune to the end, your trio with Bassist Chris Berger and Drummer Jerome Jennings was slamming.

A Great Tribute and Great Day of Live Music

The live music was smoking hot, made everyone feel welcome, and I know it made Darryl Clark proud as the music flowed hard, fast and friendly. Thank you for having fun with all of Darryl‘s Friends and Family and audience members who clearly enjoyed themselves while paying tribute to Darryl.

Darryl William Clark (1962 – 2020)

Darryl Clark and wife Michele Clark.

We commemorate our buddy Darryl Clark who now resides in musical heaven.

“A year ago today my world stopped and it felt like I’d never breathe again. But you, our amazing sons, the love that surrounds us and God, have been the source of my strength. You were and still are a blessing to me, and for that, I am thankful. I miss you everyday. Rest in peace my bass man, my captain, my love.” —Michele Clark

Thank you Good Buddy Darryl for being you. — Greg

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.