The New Jersey Performing Arts Center (NJPAC) in Newark has announced its lineup of jazz concerts and events for the fall season, running November 9-21, 2023. The programming includes concerts headlined by Ranky Tanky with Lisa Fischer, Omara Portuondo, Abdullah Ibrahim, Take 6 and Dave Grusin, as well as a Kids Concert by Elio Villafranca presented in partnership with WBGO, a jazz tribute to Disney led by pianist Sean Mason, a concert by the Steve Turre Generations Sextet at Dorthaan’s Place, and the Sarah Vaughan International Jazz Vocal Competition, also known as the SASSY awards. NJPAC’s jazz advisor Christian McBride closes out the series with a concert celebrating Peggy Lee and Frank Sinatra, featuring his big band with guest vocalists Dee Dee Bridgewater, Rachael Price, Bettye Lavette and Brian Stokes Mitchell.
“Newark is a city with a terrific jazz history — from Willie the Lion Smith to Sarah Vaughan to James Moody and so many others, Brick City has been a center for improvisational inspiration for over 100 years,” says John Schreiber, NJPAC’s executive director. “NJPAC is proud to celebrate that legacy, and, through its arts training programs for young people, help extend it.” Schreiber says that McBride and NJPAC Executive Producer David Rodriguez actively collaborate on the Arts Center’s jazz programming. “Besides being a brilliant bassist, bandleader and composer, Christian’s skill as a producer and curator has been indispensable to the Arts Center’s work as a jazz presenter,” Schreiber adds.
The complete fall schedule for Jazz at NJPAC, sponsored by TD Bank, is below.
Thursday, November 9 @ 7:30 p.m. Ranky Tanky with very special guest Ms. Lisa Fischer
Charlton Singleton – trumpet & vocals
Clay Ross – guitar & vocals
Kevin Hamilton – bass
Quentin Baxter – drums & percussion
Quiana Parler – vocals
Lisa Fischer – vocals
Friday, November 10 @ 7:30 p.m. Omara Portuondo
Omara Portuondo – vocals
TBA – band
Saturday, November 11 @ 7:30 p.m. Take 6 with special guest Hillary-Marie
Take 6 – vocals
Hillary-Marie – tap dancer
Sunday, November 12 @ 3:00 p.m. Abdullah Ibrahim Trio
Abdullah Ibrahim – piano
TBA – band
Friday, November 17 @ 7:00 p.m. NJMEA / All State Jazz with special guest Stefon Harris
NJMEA Jazz Band
NJMEA Jazz Choir
Stefon Harris – vibraphone
Friday, November 17 @ 7:30 p.m. When You Wish Upon a Star – A Jazz Tribute to Disney
Sean Mason – piano
National Jazz Museum Band
TBA – vocals
TBA – narrators
This production is not affiliated with, sponsored, or authorized by The Walt Disney Company.
Friday, November 17 @ 8:00 p.m. Dave Grusin: A Life in Music featuring Dave Grusin, Lee Ritenour, Will Downing, Randy Brecker, and the New York Voices
Dave Grusin – composer/piano
Lee Ritenour – guitar
Will Downing – vocals
New York Voices – vocals
Randy Brecker – trumpet
Ernie Watts – tenor saxophone
Dave Wecki – drums
Tom Kennedy – bass
Saturday, November 18 @ 3:00 p.m. WBGO Kid’s Concert Series / Elio Villafranca Quartet presents “Standing by The Crossroads”
Elio Villafranca – piano
TBA – band
Sunday, November 19 @ 11:00 a.m. + 1:00 p.m. Dorthaan’s Place: The Steve Turre Generations Sextet
Steve Turre – trombone and seashells
TBA – band
Sunday, November 19 @ 3:00 p.m. 12th Annual Sarah Vaughan International Jazz Vocal Competition
Pat Prescott – host
G. Thomas Allen - vocals
Dee Dee Bridgewater – judge
Christian McBride – judge
Madeleine Peyroux – judge
Al Pryor – judge
Lizz Wright – judge
Tuesday, November 21 @ 7:30 p.m. Celebrating Peggy Lee, Frank Sinatra & Friends
Christian McBride – music director/bass
Christian McBride Big Band
Rachael Price – vocals
Dee Dee Bridgewater – vocals
Bettye Lavette – vocals
Brian Stokes Mitchell – vocals
