NJPAC's 2026 Season of Jazz events
Thu 1.22 @ 7:30 p.m. Jazz Jams at Clement’s Place
Co-presented by NJPAC’s Jazz Advisory Committee and Rutgers RU_N’s Institute for Jazz Studies, Jazz Jams at Clement’s Place is a monthly Jazz Jams Session concert series featuring top-flight New Jersey musicians directed by pianist and bandleader, James Austin, Jr. T. Audience members immerse themselves in the relaxing sounds of jazz music that stimulate the player’s and listeners’ minds. All novice and seasoned jazz musicians and singers are welcomed to jam and improv with the professional band throughout the night. Co-producers: Wayne Winborne, Executive Director, IFJS and Eyesha Marable, AVP, Comm Engagement, NJPAC. Tickets: FREE. This event will be held at Clement’s Place, Newark, NJ.
Thu 2.19 @ 7:30 p.m. Jazz Jams at Clement’s Place
Co-presented by NJPAC’s Jazz Advisory Committee and Rutgers RU_N’s Institute for Jazz Studies, Jazz Jams at Clement’s Place is a monthly Jazz Jams Session concert series featuring top-flight New Jersey musicians directed by pianist and bandleader, James Austin, Jr. T. Audience members immerse themselves in the relaxing sounds of jazz music that stimulate the player’s and listeners’ minds. All novice and seasoned jazz musicians and singers are welcomed to jam and improv with the professional band throughout the night. Co-producers: Wayne Winborne, Executive Director, IFJS and Eyesha Marable, AVP, Comm Engagement, NJPAC. Tickets: FREE. This event will be held at Clement’s Place, Newark, NJ.
Thu 3.26 @ 7:30 p.m. Jazz Jams at Clement’s Place
Co-presented by NJPAC’s Jazz Advisory Committee and Rutgers RU_N’s Institute for Jazz Studies, Jazz Jams at Clement’s Place is a monthly Jazz Jams Session concert series featuring top-flight New Jersey musicians directed by pianist and bandleader, James Austin, Jr. T. Audience members immerse themselves in the relaxing sounds of jazz music that stimulate the player’s and listeners’ minds. All novice and seasoned jazz musicians and singers are welcomed to jam and improv with the professional band throughout the night. Co-producers: Wayne Winborne, Executive Director, IFJS and Eyesha Marable, AVP, Comm Engagement, NJPAC. Tickets: FREE. This event will be held at Clement’s Place, Newark, NJ.
Thu 4.16 @ 7:30 p.m. Jazz Jams at Clement’s Place
Co-presented by NJPAC’s Jazz Advisory Committee and Rutgers RU_N’s Institute for Jazz Studies, Jazz Jams at Clement’s Place is a monthly Jazz Jams Session concert series featuring top-flight New Jersey musicians directed by pianist and bandleader, James Austin, Jr. T. Audience members immerse themselves in the relaxing sounds of jazz music that stimulate the player’s and listeners’ minds. All novice and seasoned jazz musicians and singers are welcomed to jam and improv with the professional band throughout the night. Co-producers: Wayne Winborne, Executive Director, IFJS and Eyesha Marable, AVP, Comm Engagement, NJPAC. Tickets: FREE. This event will be held at Clement’s Place, Newark, NJ.
Thu 4.18 @ 7:30 p.m. Coltrane 100: Both Directions at Once
Joe Lovano – tenor saxophone
Melissa Aldana – tenor saxophone
Nduduzo Makhathini – piano
John Patitucci – bass
Jeff “Tain” Watts – drums
It’s been 100 years since the birth of John Coltrane, the boundary-pushing jazz icon who inspired and influenced generations of musicians. Coltrane once explained to fellow saxophonist Wayne Shorter that his musical approach was akin to “[starting] a sentence in the middle and then going to the beginning and the end of it at the same time… both directions at once.” Saxophonists Joe Lovano and Melissa Aldana, pianist Nduduzo Makhathini, bassist John Patitucci and drummer Jeff “Tain” Watts pay tribute in this centennial celebration. They’ll look “both directions at once” with modern interpretations of classic Coltrane repertoire, plus originals inspired by his legacy. Tickets: Tix go on sale Friday, November 14, 2025. This event will be held at NJPAC’s Victoria Theater.
Sun 4.26 International Jazz Day Celebration
NJPAC celebrates International Jazz Day, April 30, 2025, with a free musical celebration featuring 100+ young local musicians performing together. Co-produced by NJPAC’s TD Jazz for Teens and JAZZ HOUSE KIDS, this one-night only concert unites some of the brightest youth ensembles of New Jersey and New York: NJPAC’s TD Jazz for Teens’ Moody Jazz Orchestra and The George Wein Scholars Ensemble, JAZZ HOUSE KIDS, and local schools’ bands TBA. International Jazz Day in Newark highlights the power of jazz as a force for freedom and creativity, promotes intercultural dialogue through respect and understanding, and unites people from all corners of the region. Tickets: FREE. This event will be held at NJPAC’s Victoria Theater.
Thu 5.28 @ 7:30 p.m. Jazz Jams at Clement’s Place
Co-presented by NJPAC’s Jazz Advisory Committee and Rutgers RU_N’s Institute for Jazz Studies, Jazz Jams at Clement’s Place is a monthly Jazz Jams Session concert series featuring top-flight New Jersey musicians directed by pianist and bandleader, James Austin, Jr. T. Audience members immerse themselves in the relaxing sounds of jazz music that stimulate the player’s and listeners’ minds. All novice and seasoned jazz musicians and singers are welcomed to jam and improv with the professional band throughout the night. Co-producers: Wayne Winborne, Executive Director, IFJS and Eyesha Marable, AVP, Comm Engagement, NJPAC. Tickets: FREE. This event will be held at Clement’s Place, Newark, NJ.
Thu 6.18 @ 7:30 p.m. Jazz Jams at Clement’s Place
Co-presented by NJPAC’s Jazz Advisory Committee and Rutgers RU_N’s Institute for Jazz Studies, Jazz Jams at Clement’s Place is a monthly Jazz Jams Session concert series featuring top-flight New Jersey musicians directed by pianist and bandleader, James Austin, Jr. T. Audience members immerse themselves in the relaxing sounds of jazz music that stimulate the player’s and listeners’ minds. All novice and seasoned jazz musicians and singers are welcomed to jam and improv with the professional band throughout the night. Co-producers: Wayne Winborne, Executive Director, IFJS and Eyesha Marable, AVP, Comm Engagement, NJPAC. Tickets: FREE. This event will be held at Clement’s Place, Newark, NJ.
