On this episode of AOS, WBGO's Doug Doyle previews the 11th annual Jersey City Jazz Festival.
Riverview Jazz has been bringing all varieties of jazz music to the residents of Jersey City and Hudson County for well over ten years. This year’s Jersey City JazzFestival is not only expected to be the largest event ever, featuring 40 performances over 5 days with upwards of 20,000 patrons expected, but it is the most musically diverse to date.
The 11th annual Jersey City Jazz Festival kicks off its annual city-wide party on Wednesday, May 29, 2024 and keeps the music going until late Sunday, June 2, 2024. The Festival, presented by Exchange Place Alliance, will be held at various venues throughout the city on the weeknights and culminate in a two-day, three stage party at the recently renovated Exchange Place Pedestrian Plaza on the Hudson River waterfront. The Festival will kick off with a free-to-the-public opening party at the Canopy Hotel on Wednesday, May 29th at 6pm.
Saxophone fans won’t want to miss the 89-year old legend and Miles Davis-alum George Coleman (6/2), the super swinging Jerry Weldon with vocalist Joy Brown (Brennan Courthouse 5/30, Andrew Wagner & Alex De Lazzari Group open), and the avant-garde stalwart Tim Berne (Pet Shop 5/30). The event features no shortage of master drummers as well. One of the most in-demand drummers of today Johnathan Blake will present his band Trion featuring Donny McCaslin and Boris Kozlov with the talented young drummer Mecadon McCune’s band opening (Nimbus 5/31).
NEA Jazz Master Billy Hart will be playing drums with both Trio HGH (John Hébert, George Garzone, Hart - 6/1) and the great pianist Dave Kikoski (6/1). Jerome Jennings will bring his band “ill Philosophy” to The Statuary (5/31), and Jersey City Jazz Festival favorite Winard Harper will be back with his Jeli Posse for another unforgettable performance (6/1). In addition to Kikoski, a slate of inventive pianists will hold court - Philly-native Orrin Evans and his Trio (6/1), Zacchai Curtis (Curtis Brothers 6/2), Alon Nechustan (6/2), Nick Masters (Exalted at Departed Soles 5/31), and the swinging vocalist and pianist Champian Fulton (6/1).
For vocal jazz lovers, the 2023 Sarah Vaughan competition winner Tyreek McDole will host the Hyatt House jam session (6/1), the WBGO on-air personality and incomparable singer Lezlie Harrison will perform with the Riverview Jazz All-Stars (6/1), the soulful Brianna Thomas fronts her funky band (6/2), and the swinging songstress Kate Curran will perform a special jazz brunch with guitarist Ron Affif (Hyatt House 6/2).
Fans of Latin Jazz and Salsa will be thrilled to see the Tito Puente alum band Mambo Legends Orchestra (6/1), the young energetic Salsa outfit La Excelencia (6/2), trumpeter Rachel Therrien’s Latin Jazz Project (6/1), and Spanish Harlem Orchestra trombonist Juanga Lakunza’s Quintet (6/2). Other eclectic ensembles include the ever-exploring Brazilian percussionist Cyro Baptista’s Chama (6/2), the hot-blooded percussion and mighty brass of Nation Beat (6/1), the electro-funk soul duo Paris Monster (6/1), the marching brass band The Honk Family Band (6/2), harmonica virtuoso Yvonnick Prené, and the jazz big band Lance Bryant’s Shout (6/1).
There will be plenty of jam sessions for players looking to ply their wares - Ian Kenselaar Jam session (Cafe Corretto 5/29), the Jersey City jazz institution Moore’s Place (5/31), Hyatt House jam with Tyreek McDole (6/1), and the official afterparty hosted by Winard Harper & friends (Moore’s Place 6/2). Young musicians will also take a front seat as the United Children’s Music Project Latin ensemble (6/1) and the NJCU Jazz combo (6/2) will both perform.
