By Gregory Burrus | Posted Tuesday, Marcy 29, 2022
JAZZ APPRECIATION MONTH
This April, jazz up for a month to celebrate Jazz Appreciation Month (JAM) to honor one of America’s earliest and iconic art forms. Rich with extraordinary heritage and cultural history, jazz music originated in the blues era in the early 20th century and bestowed the world with bebop tunes to which we can dance all night. Founded in 2001, JAM is a 30-day long festival held to learn and recognize the cultural significance of this hip music genre and the jazz pop stars, and offers a chance to jam to some boogie-woogie day in and out. https://nationaltoday.com/jazz-appreciation-month/
Events – Jazz Appreciation Month
Come on out and enjoy some of the best Jazz, Jazzy Nights and some Smooth Jazz Events available during Jazz Appreciation Month. We are starting the celebration early. Here’s some of the fabulous jazz performances you can experience this month..
March 30: Jazz973 Presents Kakuyon Mataeh Quintet
Kakuyon Shakur Mataeh – Trumpeter, Bandleader, and Composer born in Newark, NJ. Jazz education through the Jazz House Kids youth program led by Melissa Walker and Christian McBride, performing in their Montclair Jazz Festival nearly every year since 2014. Kakuyon grew up playing at speakeasies and his father’s many art gallery exhibitions from a young age. Kakuyon is in his junior year at Princeton University where he studies Computer Science, African American studies, and continues his jazz education under the tutelage of trumpeter Ted Chubb, bandleader James Darcey Argue, and saxophonist Rudresh Manhatthappa. Mataeh has played at notable venues such as Dizzy’s Club Coca-Cola, and more recently led his quintet at the 2022 Montclair Jazz Festival. He has also played with Christian McBride, Cyrus Chestnut, Don Braden, Trineice Martin, Mimi Jones, Vince Ector, and many other notable acts. He brings a swinging band:
Destiny Diggs – Bass
Miles Lennox — Keys
Peter Glynn — Drums
Joseph Miller — Sax
Check it out Wed., March 30, 7:00pm and 8:30 pm showtime. Clément’s Place, 15 Washington Street, Newark, NJ 07201
April 1: Elmwood's Culture Club Summer Of Soul Screening
It's the Summer of Soul Film Screening hosted by Lynette Sheard for the Elmwood's Culture Club “Summer of Soul” is about the Harlem Cultural Festival of 1969. If you haven’t heard of it, that may be because it was—tellingly, if not deliberately—erased from public consciousness. The festival took place outdoors, in Mount Morris Park (now Marcus Garvey Park), and it was filmed, under lighting generously provided by the sun. The tapes then sat in a basement, largely unseen, for half a century. At last, they have been unearthed and, in the hands of Thompson and his editor, Joshua L. Pearson, given new life and shape.
https://www.newyorker.com/magazine/2021/07/05/questloves-summer-of-soul-pulses-with-long-silenced-beats
Following the screening, there will be a Zoom discussion led by Entertainment Personality Lynette Sheard and Ierviewer for Gregory Burrus Productions. Lynette Sheard is also Director and community education coordinator at the Mental Health Association in NJ, will host the event. Come join us to view the movie and discuss the event. Click here to register for this Zoom event or you can also email eupccultureclub@gmail.com.
April 1: Bradford Hayes Quintet at IJS Clements Place
Bradford Hayes Quintet at IJS Clements Place
Saxophonist Bradford Hayes, a native of Dinwiddie County, Virginia has been a force on the jazz scene in the northeastern U.S. for many years now. He has performed at a number of clubs, colleges and concert halls that include Birdland (NYC), Tavern on the Green (NYC), and the Beacon Theater (NYC). Bradford has performed or recorded in different musical settings with Gerald Alston, Yusef Lateef, Ted Curson, Michael Cochrane, Joe Lee Wilson, Jimmy Heath, Al Grey, Cecil Payne, Rufus Reid, Ray Bryant, Ben Riley, Dr. Lonnie Smith, Cecil Brooks III, Jerry Butler, and The Dells. For this performance Braford Hayes brings in the following professional musicians.
Michael Cochrane on Piano, A forward-leaning yet strongly swinging modern pianist, Cochrane studied with the noted Boston-based piano teacher Madame Margaret Chaloff (mother of Serge Chaloff) and the inimitable Jaki Byard. In a fruitful career, he has performed and/or recorded with saxophonists Michael Brecker, Sonny Fortune, Oliver Lake, David Schnitter and Chico Freeman and trumpeters Clark Terry, Valery Ponomarev, Jack Walrath and Ted Curson; also bassist Eddie Gomez, as well as many others. He has led a quintet that included Tom Harrell and saxophonist Bob Malach, and he has recorded several albums as a leader, including 1997’s “Cutting Edge.” He is also a prominent jazz educator and instrumental instructor in the New York and New Jersey area.
Peter Lin on Trombone. Peter Lin is a Taiwanese-American trombonist, producer, and educator based in New Jersey/New York City. Born in Baton Rouge, Louisiana and raised in northern New Jersey, Peter played violin and piano before picking up the trombone at 10 years old. His love for music continued, motivating him to pursue a jazz studies degree at the esteemed music programs of William Paterson University (undergraduate) and Rutgers University (graduate). Since then, he has become an integral part of the music scene, performing and sharing the stage with renowned artists including Slide Hampton, Winard Harper, Charli Persip, Valerie Ponomarev, JD Allen, and Radam Schwartz. He also spent a considerable amount of time studying with his influences, including trombone masters Slide Hampton, Steve Turre, Conrad Herwig, Robin Eubanks, Steve Davis, and Frank Lacy. He continues to perform prolifically as both a leader and sideman at established venues such as Blue Note, Dizzy’s, Birdland, Smalls, Fat Cat, Zinc Bar, and Candlelight Lounge.
Takashi Otsuka on Bass – A consummate bassist, Takashi also studied composition and arranging with Herb Pomeroy, Bob Freedman and Ken Pullig, and improvisation theory with Gary Burton at Berklee College of Music. Takashi has appeared with various artists including the Boston Symphony Orchestra under the direction of Seiji Ozawa, The Boys Choir of Harlem, Ben E. King, Swing Express under the direction of Bill Conway, the Latin Jazz Orchestra under the direction of Victor Rendon, Don Sebesky, Bob Mintzer, Charles McPherson, Marion Meadows, Lew Solof, Ted Curson, Claudio Roditi, Norman Simmons, Vic Juris, John Hart, Bob Devos, Ron Affif, Pete Levin, Virginia Mayhew, Jack Walrath, Billy Hart, Eliot Zigmund and many more.
Noel Sagerman on Drums – Noel Sagerman began playing drums at St. Cloud elementary school in West Orange, NJ. He started playing professionally while attending the University of Vermont, often gigging with ArtisShare founder Brian Camelio and Jazz Mandolin Project founder Jamie Masefield. After graduating he spent a year playing in Japan, including gigs with Chicago native Hank Hirsch and noted Japanese pianist and educator Sadayasa Fujii. In 1992 Noel returned to NJ and furthered his studies with teachers Bobby Thomas, Billy Higgins, and Tim Horner. He also became a regular at The Peppermint Lounge and started working regularly in the NY/NJ area. Some artists he has worked with include Irene Reid, Pharoah Sanders, “Big” John Patton, David “Fathead” Newman, Oliver Lake, Bruce Williams, Dave Stryker, Pat Tandy, Freddie Hendrix, Brandon McCune, Pete Rodriguez, and many others. He currently resides in Newark, NJ, and plays for gospel singer/pianist Joshua Nelson both on tour and at Hopewell Baptist Church.
Check out this performance on Friday, April 1, 7pm at Clément’s Place, 15 Washington Street, Newark, NJ 07201 https://www.bradfordhayes.com/
April 6: Gene Ghee Quartet featuring Bertha Hope
Gene Ghee Quartet featuring Bertha Hope with Kim Clarke and Luciana Padmore
Gene Ghee — Sax – Gene Ghee (saxophone, flute, clarinet) is long-time performer and educator. He graduated from NYU with a music education undergrad degree, from the Manhattan School of Music with an MA for music performance and from Columbia University Teachers College with a Master of Education degree. He has appeared as a sideman with an array of performers from Art Blakey to Stevie Wonder, and is also a recipient of the Daily News Music Teacher Recognition Award.
Bertha Hope — Piano — Jazz pianist Bertha Hope-Booker was born on November 8, 1936and was raised in western Los Angeles, California, As a youth, she performed in numerous Los Angeles clubs, studied piano at Los Angeles Community College and received her B.A. degree in early childhood education from Antioch College. In her youth, she played music with and learned from other young musicians in her neighborhood such as Richie Powell and Elmo Hope, the latter becoming her husband in 1957. She moved with Elmo Hope to the Bronx, New York, where she worked at a telephone company during the day while performing at night. After her husband’s passing in 1967, she continued to present his music and remained an active force in improvised music within the New York jazz scene.. Through the Jersey State Council on the Arts program, she performed with Dizzy Gillespie, Frank Foster, Nat Adderley and Philly Joe Jones. Hope-Booker later married Walter Booker, Jr., and the two worked to keep the music of Elmo Hope alive through Hope-Booker’s tribute ensemble called ELMOllenium and The Elmo Hope Project. She also performs with a Jazz program at Washington Irving High School in New York City, which was sponsored by Bette Midler. The Seattle-based trio, New Stories, has recorded a CD of Hope-Booker's music entitled, Hope Is In the Air. https://www.thehistorymakers.org/biography/bertha-hope-41
Bertha received two lifetime achievement awards; one in 2002 from Cobi Narita's Jazz Coalition and the second from Dr. Billy Taylorin 2005 at the Mary Lou Williams Jazz Festival in Washington, D.C. In 2014, Bertha's three year oral history project was made available in the Library of Congress, and she was celebrated as a Bronx Living Legend by the Bronx Music Heritage Center. In September 2016, the Bronx tree lined block of Lyman Place where Elmo, Bertha and baby daughter lived was co-named “Elmo Hope Way–Jazz Pioneer.” Sidenote Gregory Burrus was born and lived on Lyman place also and knew the Hope family so I am very excited for this performance.
Kim Clarke — Bass – bassist, composer, bandleader, educator performs alternately on the Acoustic Bass, Electric Upright , four and five-stringed Electric Bass Guitar. Holds B.A.’s in Communications and Music from City College and Long Island University respectively, and is a 3- time recipient of the coveted N E A Jazz Study Fellowship; under the tutelage of Bass Masters Ron Carter, Buster Williams and Lisle Atkinson respectively. Ms Clarke is also a long-time student of the Jazzmobile and Barry Harris Workshops.
Lucianna Padmore — Drums – New York based drummer Lucianna Padmore has been praised by Modern Drummer magazine for “Deep grooves and serious fusion chops.” Lucianna’s versatile drumming is featured with artists in the Jazz, Hip-Hop, Funk, Rock, Pop and Fusion genres. An alumnus of LaGuardia High School for Music and the Performing Arts and the New School University, she has received awards from Jazz at Lincoln Center and BMI for her jazz improvisation.
https://www.facebook.com/jazz973
Check it out on Wednesday, April 6th, 7:00pm showtime. Clément’s Place, 15 Washington Street, Newark, NJ 07201
Register: https://www.eventbrite.com/o/gregory-burrus-17227441816
April 7: George Gray Group Jazzical at IJS Clements Place
RUTGER’S INSTITUTE OF JAZZ STUDIES AT CLEMENT’S PLACE PRESENTS
GEORGE GRAY FEATURING THE GROUP JAZZICAL
By popular demand George Gray returns with the versatile jazz group Jazzical featuring Jeff Sheloff on sax, Mark Adams on piano, Derrick Barker on vibes, Donald Nicks on acoustic bass and George Gray on drums! We are here to play authentic jazz at its best so why not join us.
Check it out Thursday, April 7th, 7:00pm showtime. Clément’s Place, 15 Washington Street, Newark, NJ 07201 – Register: [link TBD]
April 8: Steve Slagle at IJS Clements Place
Steve Slagle – Alto Sax, Flute, Composer, Band Leader, Educator
Saxophonist, flutist and composer Steve Slagle makes his home in New York City. He has released 20 CD’s as a leader, and performed on countless others. His many original compositions are published by Slagle Music, BMI worldwide. Steve was musical director of the Mingus Big Band for many years, and wrote many of the bands arrangements as well with Joe Lovano’s Nonet, of which he is a member. He has received two Grammy Awards for recordings with each of those groups and continues his association with them. Steve attended Berklee College of Music in Boston on a Downbeat scholarship at age 18 and subsequently received his Masters in Music at MSM in NYC.
He has played with Stevie Wonder, Machito’s Afro-Cuban Orchestra, Steve Kuhn, Lionel Hampton, Jack McDuff, Charlie Haden’s Liberation Music Orchestra, Brazil’s Milton Nascimento and band, Carla Bley Orchestra, Ray Barretto, Beastie Boys, and many others.
Check it out on Friday, April 8th, 7:30pm showtime. Clément’s Place 15 Washington Street, Newark, NJ 07201
April 9: MPack Music at South Valley BBQ and Lounge
Jazzy Nights Presents MPack Music Live at South Valley BBQ and Lounge. Thankfully we can go back inside and this year as Jazzy Nights is happy to present MPack Music Live at South Valley BBQ & Lounge. This jazzy night will have our favorites performing:
Groove Master Clarence Conover – Bandleader, bassist, guitarist, keyboardist, drummer and vocalist . Clarence Conover ‘Groove Master’ Conover is the founder, and CEO of M-Pack Music productions whose motto is “Life Changing Sounds”. Clarence has performed and recorded with Patti Labelle, Teddy Pendergrass, Grover Washington Jr., The Delfonics, Bo Diddley, and more. Clarence has performed at numerous venues across the Tri-State area and more.
Vocalist Patricia Walton – ,Lead Vocal stylist – Jazz, Blues and R&B. Lead vocalist for MPack Band. Performs Solo gigs and has worked with many of New Jersey’s finest jazz musicians.
Keyboardist – Larry Greenberg – Multi-keyboardist and synthesist, composer/arranger, bandleader, and studio musician performs in multiple genres of Funk, Jazz, Jazz Fusion, R&B and Latin Rock. A Skyy band member “Call Me” topped Billboard’s R&B chart and was No. 26 on the pop side.
Drummer – Kevin Moore – This Master Drum from East Orange High Scholl has performed in numerous venues across the industry, was part of the popular Band Aurra – Interviewed by Don Cornelius and performed on the cutting edge of music, dance and culture Nationwide TV Show Soul Train.
Guitarist – Kenny Robinson – Newark Arts High School Alum is an in demand guitarist, a former long time band member of The Black Widow Blues Band along with Ricki Lewis and has played at numerous venues , churches and special events around the Tri State area.
MPack brings an explosive energy to the stage, guaranteed to rock the house all night long! Dinning, drinking, dancing, singing, talking, connecting, seat dancing, listening and more will be happening in the Blue Room.
Join Us -Jazzy Nights at South Valley BBQ and Lounge Jazzy Nights Presents MPack Music Live at South Valley BBQ and Lounge
April 15: Peter Lin – The Slide Sessions at IJS Clements Place
Peter Lin – The Slide Sessions Music and Legacy of Slide Hamptons
Slide Hampton was a trombonist, arranger, and composer with skills very few could match. He could take a small band and make it sound like an orchestra — not just in vastness, but in excitement, impression and intricate layers of sound. His arrangements found the visceral core of bebop classics and revealed their stunning beauty and spine-tingling glory. When he raised his horn to solo, the results were always impressive: a deep mix of profound blues and complex technique. He was a true original. As a jazz educator, Hampton was active at Harvard University, DePaul and several other institutions
This event will be a musical tribute to the legendary Slide Hampton. Bandleader Peter Lin will present an evening of Slide Hampton’s compositions and arrangements in a quintet setting, along with personal anecdotes and reflections on Slide’s legacy. According to Peter Lin, who first contacted Hampton for an interview for his graduate thesis, and later became his assistant: “Without Slide Hampton, I would not be playing trombone today, and I think many other musicians would feel the same sentiment.”
Joining him are veteran musicians of multiple generations. Mike Karn – Bass, Tadataka Unno – Keys, Jerome Jennings – Drums and Nicole Glover – Sax.
Check out this very special performance on Friday, April 15th, at 7:30pm. Clément’s Place, 15 Washington Street, Newark, NJ 07201 https://www.peterlinmusic.com
April 23: Smooth Vocals, R&B and All That Jazz at the Woodland Mansion
Spring fever is at its peak at the historic Woodland Mansion in Maplewood NJ.
This show is the brainchild of Rich Engel, a local resident, producer and promoter - who for decades produced numerous NYC Smooth Jazz cruises along with many other marquee live music concerts. Engel says he is determined to make contemporary jazz a staple in the SOMA (South Orange Maplewood) area and beyond and he is demonstrating that he is very committed. This show is a group of serious hardcore Smooth jazz and R&B veterans, all have performed with many legends in the industry and now they have also established themselves as stars of this music.
Smooth Vocals R&B with:
Maysa Leak (Singer) Deep Waters – Grammy-nominated, Soul Train Award Winning Soul/Jazz
Alexander Zonjic Jazz flutist (multiple winner Detroit Music Awards)
James Lloyd (Keyboardist) from Pieces of a Dream, Grover Washington Jr., Walter Beasley , Eric Darius, Everett Harp, Gail Jhonson, Hiroshima, Wayman Tisdale, Najee, and more.
Kris Kurzawa (Guitar), Most In Demand Detroit Guitarist – 5X’s Detroit Music Awardee
Jeff Candy (Drums),
Mike Harrington (Bass). Tours with Brian Culbertso, The Spinners, KEM, Jeff Lorber, Kirk Whalum, Kim Burrell, Angela Bofill, Marion Medows and more
Check it out on Saturday, April 23rd, 8:00pm showtime. The Woodlands – 60 Woodland Road. Maplewood, NJ 07040.
Buy tickets here: Smooth Vocals. R&B and All that Jazz at The Woodland Sat Apr 23, 2022 8:00 PM – 10:00 PM
April 29: Carla Cook at IJS Clements Place
Carla Cook
There’s a reason for that: Cook has been influenced by the jazz vocal masters, but equally influenced by phenomenal instrumentalists, like Miles Davis, Wes Montgomery and The Crusaders. The Detroit native also finds inspiration in R&B, Motown, pop, gospel and country. In fact, she has put her unique phrasing on everything from Marvin Gaye’s “Inner City Blues” to Bobbie Gentry’s “Ode to Billie Joe” to Neil Young’s “Heart of Gold”.
As a result, Cook has an improvisational style that’s steeped in the swing tradition yet eclectic, and brimming with fresh interpretations. “Although I’ve been influenced by all the masters, I’ve been maturing into my own sound, “says Cook. “Today, I sound exactly like me.”
That sound is a warm contralto with a remarkably wide range of colors; known for her interpretive gifts, Cook can sing in a hefty, bluesy timbre, reach crystal clear high notes, then scat with sure-footed richness; and she does it all with an acute sense of rhythm and timing. As a result, says jazz critic John Murph of The Washington Post. “She has sass that enlivens her impeccable diction, and tremendous soul that lets her swagger with gutbucket finesse, but it’s all buttressed with sparkling optimism and innocence.”
Check it out on Friday, April 29th, 7:30pm showtime. Clément’s Place 15 Washington Street, Newark, NJ 07201
April 30: Special Event at South Valley BBQ and Lounge
International Jazz Day | April 30, 2022
Stay Tuned for a Special Event
Come join me around town. Hope to see you.
About the Author — Gregory Burrus
Gregory Burrus books bands, produces, promotes, captures, and records live music events along with various other community and private activities.
I love writing about it all. My mission is to help community groups, live music bands, and local nonprofits, reach their goals and accomplish their missions while enjoying the day-to-day process of life.
https://www.jerseyindie.com/ji-blogger-gregory-burrus
https://patch.com/users/gregburrus
