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“A veteran pianist who also spent considerable time in the trenches and is now a respected musician’s musician.”

—The New Yorker

Acclaimed jazz pianist Jim Ridl brings his trio to Zinc on Tuesday, November 8. He’s supported by bassist Matthew Parrish and drummer Rudy Royston.

Jim Ridl is in high demand as a New York City jazz pianist, composer, teacher, and bandleader. His ongoing residency at the internationally known jazz club, The 55 Bar, is in its fifth year, where he and his quartet perform his original compositions monthly. Jim performs worldwide with a variety of jazz artists, including The Joe Locke Quartet, The Dave Liebman Big Band, The Paul Jost Quartet, and the Mingus Big Band. He has toured with the US State Department American Music Abroad program (’12 and ’15), performing in Russia, South Korea, China, the Philippines, Moldova, Azerbaijan, Slovenia, and Malta. As a composer and leader, Jim has released 7 recordings, the latest titled Door in a Field, Volume 2. Jim was a Princeton University Visiting Artist for three separate semesters (’12, ’14, ’16), coaching jazz ensembles in repertoire and performance. Jim continues as an adjunct educator in Jazz Piano Studies at The City College of New York and the New York Jazz Workshop in Manhattan. From 1994 to 2004, Jim performed with jazz guitar legend Pat Martino, receiving critically acclaimed reviews of performances around the world, and producing four outstanding recordings: Interchange, Night Wings, The Maker and Nexus. Jim was raised on a farm and ranch in North Dakota and discovered his love for piano and jazz at an early age. He attended the University of Colorado at Denver, where he earned his Bachelor’s Degree in Scoring and Arranging, and was awarded its Student Achievement Award for composing “Ocean Sojourn,” an orchestral tone poem, performed with the Denver Symphony Orchestra, James Setapen conducting.

Showtimes are at 7:00 PM and 8:30 pm. Tickets: $30 advance / $35 day of show. For more info, call (212) 477-9462 or visit http://zincjazzcom.

Get your tickets now for an exclusive appearance by Seven String Jazz Guitarist, Educator, and Social Media Personality, Ron Jackson.

This event takes place on 30th Sep, at Minton’s Playhouse, in New York, NY.

Ron will bring BIG CITY JAZZ and jazz education to your town!

This event will include an educational piece on the history of the Seven String Guitar. Ron will perform jazz standards and original songs, some bebop, and soul. And a special treat will be the jazz reimaginings of (yacht) rock, R&B, and pop songs all from his critically acclaimed new release, "Standards And My Songs".

TICKETS AND INFO
Ron Jackson: https://ronjacksonmusic.com/shows

Sneak peek of the first single for the album, "Brandy (You're A Fine Girl)": https://youtu.be/sVZQJAXcsVQ

The soulful stylings of James Austin Jr., reveal his jazz pedigree and gospel roots. James, originally from Chicago, is an accomplished pianist and bandleader. He honed his craft under the tutelage of a number of legendary musicians, including extensive study with renowned jazz educator, Barry Harris. In recognition of his highly skilled musicianship, James has received numerous accolades and awards, including the honor of being selected as a semi-finalist in the prestigious Thelonious Monk International Jazz Piano competition.

James has performed alongside an illustrious list of singers and musicians in diverse settings throughout the world, including numerous celebrity functions and televised shows. He recently served as pianist and arranger for two star-studded concerts at Carnegie Hall under the baton of esteemed musical director, Ray Chew. James is regularly featured in the New York City area as a pianist and bandleader for various live concerts, theatrical performances, and civic and charitable events. He has curated and led the NJPAC Jazz Jam series since its inception.

Alexis Jessica Morrast, is a native of Newark, now resides in Plainfield, New Jersey began singing at the age of three. Since that time, she's performed on several stages: the U.S. OPENS, NJPAC with Christian McBride and Dizzy's Coca-Cola Club with jazz legend Barry Harris. Her resounding tone has been heard on the Millennium Stage of The Kennedy Center, Lincoln Center, abroad in Europe and Africa; The Coltrane Jazz Festival put it this way: "The voice, the song, the stage presence is all astonishing!

Come down and celebrate the music of Bill Evans, NJ's musical treasure, along with the Great American Songbook, Brazilian, and Pop hits with the Joel Zelnik Trio.

Relax by having a great meal, or just a few drinks at the bar, and listening to some great Jazz, as Gary Mazzaroppi-Bass, David Cox-Drums, and yours truly, the original JZ on Piano performs.
Don't be shy! Love to see you! https://youtu.be/Um0w7tk2zOE

Support NJ Jazz!

6-10 pm SATURDAYS September 17, October 1st, 8th, 22nd, November 5th, and 19th!
Steakhouse 85
85 Church St.
New Brunswick, NJ 08901
732-247-8585
www.steakhouse85.com

Revel in the first warm days of Fall with a hot tango concert presented at Greenwood Gardens in Short Hills. The Riverside Guitar Duo, in partnership with The Discovery Orchestra, will perform Astor Piazzolla’s Tango Suite on October 7 on the West Terrace of the 28-acre site whose garden dates back to the 1920s.

Attendees are invited to stroll through the garden starting at 5:30 p.m. and then make their way to the West Terrace where wine and cheese will be served starting at 6:00 p.m. The concert will begin at 6:30 p.m. and will take place rain or shine under the garden’s seasonal tent. With seating for just 70, tickets are selling quickly for this special evening.

“Tango is new this season at Greenwood where our aim is to present high-quality programming to the communities we serve in a unique and beautiful setting,” says Abby O’Neill, Executive Director. “We are excited to present such talented musicians through a partnership with The Discovery Orchestra featuring Maestro George Marriner Maull.”

For over 26 years George Marriner Maull, Artistic Director of The Discovery Orchestra, has made classical music listening more meaningful and transformative through his interactive instruction. He teaches the listening skills that help people connect with classical music.
Greenwood Gardens is located at 274 Old Short Hills Road in Short Hills, NJ. Concerts are limited to 70 attendees, ages 13 and up. Tickets are $30 for members, $35 for non-members, and are available online at: https://greenwoodgardens.org/classical-music-concerts

“The best guitar player I’ve heard in maybe my entire life is floating around now, Pasquale Grasso.” — Pat Metheny

Acclaimed jazz guitarist Pasquale Grasso brings his formidable trio to Zinc on Monday, November 7. He’s supported by Ari Rolland on bass and Keith Balla on drums.

One of the most strikingly unique artists of his generation, Pasquale Grasso has undoubtedly changed the way the world views jazz guitar. Born in Ariano Irpino, Pasquale began playing guitar at a very young age. By the summer of 1997, his parents, who recognized the depth of their young son’s talent, sought out the instruction of jazz innovator, Agostino Di Giorgio. A former pupil of Chuck Wayne, Di Giorgio immediately took an interest in Pasquale, whose prodigious aptitude for the instrument flourished as the young guitarist quickly became his closest pupil. From that point, it wouldn’t be long before news of this talent spread.

Barry Harris, the world-renowned jazz educator, and bebop piano master, became an extraordinary influence when Pasquale attended his jazz workshop in Switzerland during the summer of 1998. Harris, a contemporary of Miles Davis, Sonny Stitt, and Cannonball Adderley, took Pasquale and his brother, Luigi, under his wing. Over the span of the next 5 years, the Grasso brothers became pillars of Harris’ international workshops and were quickly promoted from mere attendees to instructors for the other students. Pasquale was named Harris’ guitar teaching assistant and for the last ten years, he has conducted workshops in Italy, Switzerland, France, Spain, Holland, and Slovenia.

Showtimes are at 7:00 pm & 8:30 pm. Tickets: $25 in advance / $30 at the door. For more info, visit https://www.zincjazz.com.

“The best guitar player I’ve heard in maybe my entire life is floating around now, Pasquale Grasso.” — Pat Metheny

Acclaimed jazz guitarist Pasquale Grasso brings his formidable trio to Zinc on Monday, November 7. He’s supported by Ari Rolland on bass and Keith Balla on drums.

One of the most strikingly unique artists of his generation, Pasquale Grasso has undoubtedly changed the way the world views jazz guitar. Born in Ariano Irpino, Pasquale began playing guitar at a very young age. By the summer of 1997, his parents, who recognized the depth of their young son’s talent, sought out the instruction of jazz innovator, Agostino Di Giorgio. A former pupil of Chuck Wayne, Di Giorgio immediately took an interest in Pasquale, whose prodigious aptitude for the instrument flourished as the young guitarist quickly became his closest pupil. From that point, it wouldn’t be long before news of this talent spread.

Barry Harris, the world-renowned jazz educator, and bebop piano master, became an extraordinary influence when Pasquale attended his jazz workshop in Switzerland during the summer of 1998. Harris, a contemporary of Miles Davis, Sonny Stitt, and Cannonball Adderley, took Pasquale and his brother, Luigi, under his wing. Over the span of the next 5 years, the Grasso brothers became pillars of Harris’ international workshops and were quickly promoted from mere attendees to instructors for the other students. Pasquale was named Harris’ guitar teaching assistant and for the last ten years, he has conducted workshops in Italy, Switzerland, France, Spain, Holland, and Slovenia.

Showtimes are at 7:00 pm & 8:30 pm. Tickets: $25 in advance / $30 at the door. For more info, visit https://www.zincjazz.com.

Endea Owens—Lincoln Center’s Emerging Artist of 2019, the bassist for Jon Batiste’s Stay Human band, and the house bassist for "The Late Show with Stephen Colbert"—performs with her sextet. The performance includes her original compositions as well as music by Nina Simone, Abbey Lincoln, and Art Blakey and The Jazz Messengers.

Alex Isley hails from a musically-rich and versatile family. Her father, Ernie Isley, and his brothers, are collectively the R&B/Funk pioneers known as The Isley Brothers. Her maternal grandmother, an opera singer, began classically-training Alex at the age of twelve. Alex has collaborated and performed with an array of artists, from Terrace Martin to Moses Sumney; The Isley Brothers to Kendrick Lamar; with her vocals featured on Lamar’s 2016 Grammy-winning, “These Walls”. Alex is also featured on PJ Morton’s ‘The Piano Album’ (on ‘How Deep Is Your Love’ as a duet with Morton). In November 2019, Alex and producer, Jack Dine, released a joint EP entitled ‘Wilton’. They followed with their singles, ‘Gone’, ‘Good & Plenty’ with Masego, “Mine”, and later, the ‘Good & Plenty’ remix, with Lucky Daye. In 2020, Alex performed her own NPR Tiny Desk (Home Edition) and was featured on HBO’s ‘Insecure’ series. In 2021, she performed her share of Virtual Concerts, which later converted to In-Person shows around the country. In March 2022, Alex lent her vocals to Lucky Daye’s latest album, Candydrip, as well as PJ Morton’s album, ‘Watch The Sun’, performing on “Still Believe”, alongside PJ and Jill Scott. Most recently, Alex released the second, highly-anticipated album with Jack Dine, entitled ‘Marigold’. Alex continues to hone her craft, contribute and collaborate on musical ventures, and is grateful for all of the opportunities in her journey.

Voting is the bedrock of democracy, but our right to vote is being undercut—from gerrymandering to voter purging to voter intimidation. Women of color are leading the charge to fight back, across the country and right here in Newark.

At our next PSEG True Diversity Film Series event, we’ll speak with a panel curated by Shennell McCloud of Project READY. Learn how our panelists are using voting as a tool to transform their communities by registering new voters, increasing voter turnout, reshaping policies and developing future leaders.

How to participate:

Register here.
Watch the film Rigged: The Voter Suppression Playbook at home on your own schedule.
Join us for a virtual panel discussion at 7PM on Monday, October 24.
Our panel will be moderated by Shennell McCloud, Executive Director of Project READY (Reimagining Equity and Access for Diverse Youth).

Our panelists include:

Priestly Johnson, Director of Strategic Community Partnerships at When We All Vote

Assemblywoman Angela McKnight of the 31st Legislative District in the New Jersey

Jacelyn Matthews, Northeast Region Program Director of IGNITE

Micauri Vargas, Associate Counsel of the Democracy & Justice Program at the New Jersey Institute for Social Justice

Gabrielle Wyatt, CEO of The Highland Project