By Gregory Burrus | Posted Friday, November 5, 2021
Gregory Burrus Productions is extremely proud to produce the James Moody Jazz Scholars Celebration for The James Moody Jazz Scholarship for New Jersey. This event is for the Jazz Scholarship recipients that have been presented this award since 2015. This event is also supported by the Patterson Foundation / Blanchard Conservatory and will be hosted at their beautiful, historic Blanchard Mansion in South Orange, NJ.
About Saxophonist James Moody
(Bottom) Dizzy Gilespie, Hank Jones, Benny Carter, (top) John Lee, Charlie Fishman, Paquito D'Rivera, James Moody, and Arturo Sandoval. From johnleebass - Dizzy Gillespie's dinner the night before he received the Kennedy Center Honors. Great dinner with fascinating stories.
Saxophonist, Flutist, Vocalist, Educator James Moody was awarded the distinction of being an NEA Jazz Master in 1998 from the National Endowment for the Arts. The National Endowment for the Arts Jazz Masters Fellowships are the self-proclaimed highest honors that the United States bestows upon jazz musicians. In the jazz world, it just doesn't get better than that. Learn more: Wikipedia NEA JazzTimes James Moody.
James Moody Jazz Scholarship for New Jersey
James Moody Jazz Scholarship for New Jersey is an award that honors the life of Newark native and saxophone giant James Moody. The James Moody Jazz Scholarship for New Jersey is an award presented by Linda Moody that is offered annually to an outstanding high school senior. The recipient embodies the qualities expressed by the NEA Jazz Master throughout his life and works—musicianship, creativity, leadership and community involvement.
James Moody Jazz Scholars
In its 7th year, the winners of the James Moody Jazz Scholarship for New Jersey will consist of the James Moody Jazz Scholars led by bandleader Birsa Chatterjee. Past winners are:
2015 Birsa Chatterjee
2016 Iyonna Herbert
2017 Andrew Wagner
2018 Caelan Cardello
2019 Jalin Shiver
2020 Rayner Perez
2021 Paul Reinhold
Jazz Scholars Band
The band will come together performing a number of standards and some originals.
It includes Birsa Chatterjee – Tenor Saxophone, Iyonna Herbert – Drums, Andrew Wagner – Trumpet, Caelan Cardello – Piano, Jalin Shiver – Alto Saxophone, Rayner Perez – Trombone, and joining us in Paul Reinhold's absence will be Gervin Myles on Bass.
Jazz Scholars Jazzy Nights Agenda
6:00 - 6:15 PM Opening Remarks
6:15 - 6:45 PM The Jazzy Nights activities will be comprised of standards and originals performed by the musicians
6:45 - 7:30 Presenters and Invited Speakers
Linda Moody - James Moody Jazz Scholarship for New Jersey
Wayne Winborne - ED of Institute of Jazz Studies Rutgers-Newark
John Lee - Jazz Legacy Productions & The Dizzy Gillespie Big Band
7:30 - 9:00 Jazz Scholars band continues. During this set, an invited set of local Jazz vocalists from the community will perform with the Jazz Scholars band.
Venue/Location
The Blanchard Mansion - 100 Blanchard Rd., South Orange, NJ 07079 - is a 1920's Georgian Mansion in South Orange that transports visitors right back to the Gilded Age. The home draws inspiration in its design from the style of the Gilded Age Mansions of Newport, Rhode Island, perhaps the most famous one being The Breakers. At 11,000 square feet the house features an ostentatious custom wood appointed ballroom with coffered ceilings and New York City skyline views, accessed via a grand foyer lined with Corinthian columns. Situated on two acres of English style lush garden landscaping, with walking paths throughout, the land offers residents opportunities for quiet reflection and meditation.
Gregory Burrus Productions
Gregory Burrus is a local live music ambassador, event planner and community partner that curates, manages and promotes live music events in the local SOMA/MAPSO (South Orange, Maplewood) community, Northern NJ and New York Area. Gregory Burrus currently writes as the South Orange Patch Mayor, the statewide Jersey Indie website and on Gregory Burrus Productions.
Patterson Foundation / Blanchard Conservatory
The Patterson Foundation strengthens the efforts of people, organizations, and communities by focusing on issues that address mutual aspirations, foster wide participation, and encourage learning and sharing. The Patterson Foundation's staff and consultants are ready to provide an engaging presentation about the foundation and its initiatives.
You are invited to the James Moody Jazz Scholars Celebration on Nov. 17, 2021, 6-9PM. This free event will have light refreshments, limited seating, and access will be provided via Facebook / Eventbrite Registration only. Please join us.