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Singer-songwriter Jason Bembry’s brand of piano/jazz pop is filled with profound feelings of deep introspection — encompassing the entire spectrum from the good to the bad, and to everything in between. As a solo artist, his sound ranges from stripped-back piano ballads to full-blown orchestrations. As a classically trained pianist and having studied music theory and composition extensively, he makes a conscious effort to include his classical, jazz, and new age roots into every song he writes.

Emilio Valdes was born in Havana, Cuba, part of a musical dynasty made famous by his grandfather, pianist, composer, arranger and Cuban Jazz musician, Bebo Valdes, followed by his father Chucho Valdes, creator of the vanguard afro Cuban jazz group Irakere and figurehead of Cuban music. Emilio has also performed and collaborated with Bebo and Chucho Valdes.

Stephane Wrembel presents Django New Orleans on the 2nd night of his annual Django A Gogo Music Festival & Guitar Campcelebrating the music of legendary jazz guitarist Django Reinhardt. In addition to Wrembel on guitar, performers include Aurora Nealand (sax/vocals), David Welch (guitar), Daisy Castro (violin), Joe Correia (tuba), Scott Kettner (drums), David Langlois (washboard) and surprise guests blending the traditional sounds of New Orleans with the voices of gypsy jazz guitars with the group performing traditional New Orleans songs with a Reinhardt touch, and traditional Gypsy songs with New Orleans sounds from swing to second lines.

Mala's music career has taken her all over the world, performing for international tours and festivals, as well in some of NYC's most prestigious stages, including the Iridium Jazz Club, the Blue Note, the Jazz Standard, the 55 Bar, and Brooklyn's BAM Café. Most recently she performed in Washington DC at the Kennedy Center. Mala was a featured performer at the first annual Coltrane Day Festival, was featured in the book, Giving Birth to Sound: Women in Creative Music (Renate da Rin and & William Parker editors) and can be seen in the documentary film, 'The Girls in the Band," directed by Judy Chaikin.

It’s impossible to sit still when Issac Delgado and Alain Perez take the stage. They won a 2021 GRAMMY® for their platinum album Cha Cha Chá: Homenaje a lo tradicional, and now they’re bringing their dazzling style of salsa and jazz to NJPAC. Issac Delgado is one of Cuba’s most famous salsa and timba vocalists, best known as the lead singer of ‘80s group NG La Banda. Alain Perez is an exceptionally versatile multi-instrumentalist forging new paths in modern Cuban jazz. The duo will have you on your feet as they honor the musical traditions that came before, and dance fearlessly toward the future.

Donald Vega was trained classically in piano in his native Nicaragua. He emigrated to the United States at age 14 and found a musical home with the Colburn School of Performing Arts (CSPA). He began his studies there in classical piano with Teresa de Jong Pombo and Dr. Louis Lepley. Vega began learning the language of jazz from mentor Billy Higgins at The World Stage and continued at CSPA with Jeffrey Lavner, then later with bassist John Clayton at the University of Southern California. He went on to graduate from Manhattan School of Music and The Juilliard School where he studied with piano great Kenny Barron. Vega currently performs internationally as the pianist for world renowned bassist Ron Carter’s Golden Striker Trio with whom he has recorded several albums. Mr. Vega is also a professor at The Juilliard School and sits on the board of BackCountry Jazz, a non-profit organization which provides music education programs and performances to underprivileged youth.

Vega’s debut album, Tomorrows, was released in 2008 to rave reviews. In his sophomore album, Spiritual Nature (Resonance Records, 2012), he was joined by the regal rhythm tandem of bassist Christian McBride and drummer Lewis Nash. Vega teamed up again with Lewis Nash on his third album, With Respect to Monty, (Resonance Records, 2015) along with Hassan Shakur, the great bassist and former Monty Alexander band member, and long time friend and grammy nominated artist, Anthony Wilson on guitar.

• Two sets: 12:30pm and 2:30pm (Doors open one hour before show time)
• There is a $20 Minimum Per Person
• All seating is first come, first served
• Table Seating is all ages, Bar Area is 21+. Bar Area tickets for patrons under 21 will not be honored

Norah Jones, Laufey, Samara Joy, Lake Street Dive and Terence Blanchard among the headliners at the 47th Annual Freihofer’s Saratoga Jazz Festival held June 29-30, 2024 at the Saratoga Performing Arts Center.

The WBGO Journal is hosted by News Director Doug Doyle

The guitarist Grant Green may have left us nearly 40 years ago, but his influence is still being felt today — and not only in jazz circles. On this Record…