Jazz On Sloan Proudly Presents Mezzo-Soprano/Vocalist Ema Mitrovic and David Budway at the South Orange Gazebo

By Gregory Burrus | Posted Wednesday, August 4, 2021

We are bringing back Jazz On Sloan in a huge, huge way!!! You are invited to enjoy this very special, spectacular performance by award-winning and critically acclaimed operatic mezzo-soprano/vocalist, Ema Mitrović along with renowned jazz/classical pianist David Budway. This entertaining live music performance will cover Opera, Jazz and Classical Theatre. Learn more about these wonderful performers. 

Crossover Live Music Performance

As you know, Jazz is a true American art that goes way back in time. That’s because Jazz began here in America, hundreds of years ago, in the fields where black people worked as slaves and made up songs to pass time. Opera is a key part of the Western classical music.  Born in Italy more than 400 years ago during the Renaissance, opera—a combination of vocal and orchestral music, drama, visual arts and dance—has been inspiring people for ages. Classical Theatre is a type of theater which relies upon imagination to convey the setting and atmosphere of the play. Classical theater usually contains lofty, grand prose or free verse dialogue. Combining these 3 distinct yet connected art forms of Jazz, Opera and Classical Theatre into one powerful performance is an accomplishment that you have to experience. We are very happy to have these wonderful powerful artists share their gifts and present their one of a kind crossover live music performance. Here's an introduction to these Artists for this upcoming performance.

Operatic Mezzo-Soprano/Vocalist, Ema Mitrović

"It's kismet that David and I are able to perform at Jazz on Sloan! Gregory Burrus had asked me to come a number of times and we finally found a date/time that works! I'm really excited, as a resident of East Orange, just 1.7 miles away to be exact, to have this opportunity to perform for my neighbors, my community, in my backyard." — Ema Mitrovic

Award-winning and critically acclaimed operatic mezzo-soprano/vocalist, Ema Mitrović, is described: “out of the ensemble, I found Ema Mitrovic...to be the standout” (Opera Manhattan, Suor Angelica ’12) and "Her rich mezzo is pure pleasure” (Hudson Opera Theatre, Lucia di Lammermoor ’18).

Ms. Mitrović performs as an ambassador of music across different genres, having performed 19 operatic roles thus far, a number of solo recitals, and has enjoyed being a strong cross-over jazz singer, performing along New York City’s finest musicians, including Tim Horner, Joe Locke, Ted Rosenthal, and Jim Ridl, to name a few.

She's been on stage at Carnegie Hall, Lincoln Center, and New York City's renowned jazz venues Birdland, The Kitano, and Smalls. Often, she performs programs that include both classical and standard jazz repertoire to connect to her audience.

This season, despite strains from the COVID-19 pandemic, Ema was grateful to perform in recital at Brooklyn’s Soapbox Gallery and Nyack’s Maureen’s Jazz Cellar, as Annina (La Traviata) with The Lighthouse Opera Company, and recording with the New Jersey Youth Symphony Chamber Ensemble in a newly commissioned piece, “La Frontera” by Raul Abbad. Later this season, Ema will return to New York’s The Lighthouse Opera Company in Mozart's Die Zauberflöte (Dritte Dame) as well as make a role/company debut with Bronx Opera Company in its production of The Bartered Bride (Háta).

"As a performer, your audience is your lifeline, and I'm excited for people to hear what we are all about, to share Opera, Classical, Jazz, and the works with them! Not many people do what David and I do and my hope as a musician is to make as many people as possible hear this music in a fun, informal, and beautiful way."
— Ema Mitrovic

Passionate as a performer, Ema is equally as passionate in teaching, having done so for 7+ years. During the COVID-19 quarantine, Ema has been proud to keep a full studio remotely (on Zoom, Skype, FaceTime, etc.) of roughly 30+ voice and piano students, at both the non-profit The Wharton Institute for the Performing Arts and privately owned Elefante Music, among her own.

Ms. Mitrović is a proud, first generation Croatian-American, born and raised in New Jersey. She happily resides in East Orange with her partner, drummer Tim Horner.

Max Jazz Recording Artist David Budway

Max Jazz Recording Artist David Budway is one of the most versatile pianists on the New York music scene today. While deeply rooted in many styles, his masterful command for Modern Jazz has propelled him into the midst of present day jazz pioneers. (www.davidbudway.com)

As a Classical pianist David has performed countless recitals. He studied extensively with Ruth Slenczynska, Dr. Carole Riley, CDP, Gerald Jennings, and performed in Master Classes with Artur Balsam, Warren Jones, Eugene List and Sheila Paige. In Italy, David studied at the prestigious Rome Festival where he performed Opera and Chamber Music under the baton of Maestro Fritz Maraffi. Born in Pittsburgh, PA , David grew up listening to the improvisations of his father Leo Budway, and became interested and well versed in the style of Arabic music. Later, he earned his Masters Degree in Piano Performance and Percussion at Duquesne University where he also studied Jazz Composition and Arranging with Dr. John Wilson. David went on to be Adjunct Professor at Duquesne and Carnegie Mellon University for 15 years before moving to New York. In 1992, Mr. Budway made his solo debut with the Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra, and has performed with them on many occasions including special performances with the late Marvin Hamlisch.

Since moving to New York, David has performed at Carnegie Hall, Merkin Hall, The Kennedy Center, The Village Vanguard, Birdland, The Blue Note, The Jazz Standard and The Hollywood Bowl with both Liza Minnelli and Hubert Laws. David studied chamber music extensively with master musician Bernard Goldberg, and has continued his love for the flute repertoire throughout his 30 year tenure with Master Flutist Hubert Laws. Some of his recording credits include the entire Bach Sonatas for Flute and Piano. David's Trio is currently in residence at the famed Carlyle Hotel in New York City. Mr. Budway's recording credits as both a leader and a sideman include artists Branford Marsalis, Michael Brecker, Jeff “Tain” Watts, Hubert Laws, Stanley Turrentine, Jimmy Heath, Christiane Noll, Ravi Coltrane and Eric Leeds. David has toured worldwide with Stanley Turrentine, Hubert Laws, Jeff "Tain" Watts, Regina Carter and Liza Minnelli.

As a composer, David has several albums to his credit. His release, “A New Kiss”, on the Max Jazz label was awarded 4 stars in Downbeat Magazine. His song “Love You Tonight” reached number one on WBGO's playlist in 2012. Most recently, the disc was charted at number four in Canada. Other releases include “Brief Encounter to Last a Lifetime”, “The Music I Hear”, “Bud Way”, “Jazz... the Budway”, and his latest release “3 Budways” with siblings Kathy and Maureen Budway. “Sweet Candor”, Maureen Budway's release in 2015 on the MSG Jazz label, received 4 1⁄2 stars in Downbeat Magazine.

Honoring his late sister, David and his wife Brianne Higgins have recently opened MAUREEN'S JAZZ CELLAR in Nyack, NY. The intimate venue features Jazz, Classical, Cabaret, Acoustic Music, Comedy and Rock and Roll. Mr. Budway's newest CD, “The Jazz Piano Man”, features original songs co-written with lyricist Lou Tracey. David was a proud recipient of two prizes in the John Lennon Songwriting Competition. He has scored the music to the motion pictures Lift and Giant Steps starring Billy Dee Williams, and has been published in Downbeat Magazine’s Masterclass section: Contemporary French Music’s Influence in Jazz Harmonies.

South Orange Downtown Jazz On Sloan at the South Orange Gazebo 

Yes, we are thrilled to present operatic mezzo-soprano/vocalist Ema Mitrović and jazz and classical pianist David Budway for your listening pleasure. Come early and secure your best spot. Jazz On Sloan at the South Orange Gazebo is extremely excited to present this fantastic, one-of-a-kind performance for your listening pleasure. When you hear Ema, you will know why I am so excited. Please grab your chair, your friend and please join us outdoors for this perfectly wonderful one-of-a-kind Sunday afternoon performance.

About the Writer Gregory Burrus 

Gregory Burrus is writing about his first love, the creative people, towns and events all around South Orange NJ. Gregory continually observes, participates in, reports and writes on local community news, live music and the arts and entertainment scene of the Jersey NYC landscape and beyond, right here as JI blogger Gregory Burrus. Contact Gregory Burrus to promote your business or nonprofit across various social media and blogging platforms. gregoryburrusproductions.com

South Orange, NJ Getting Creative with Places to Sit, Gaze and Ponder Life

By Gregory Burrus | Posted Wednesday, August 4, 2021

As the summer progresses, so do vacations and, as we are still not completely out of the COVID pandemic, while new variants of the virus are being reported, some folks are reluctant to leave town and instead are taking many stay at home vacations.  Sometimes you just want to take a long walk but you need a destination which means you may need to discover your own hometown. Around South Orange, NJ there are many spots where everyone can enjoy lovely picnics, beautiful landscapes and enjoy off the beaten path places and social locations, where you can sit, stare and ponder uninterrupted, any subject you like.  

Who knows, you might encounter someone you never knew and make an unforgettable memory. There are parks, places, nooks and triangles of spaces to meet everyone's need to ponder life in a friendly public space that meets their needs. An added benefit is that all of these places are within walking distance of our South Orange, NJ public transportation center, the South Orange, NJ Transit train station. So let’s get started checking out some obvious, but not so obvious, spots and parks around South Orange, NJ to sit, gaze and ponder life. 

Sitting Around the Town 

South Orange Rapid Lounging 

One of the things this town does very well, thanks to the Government of South Orange along with the South Orange Village Center Alliance, is converting uncommon spaces into places to just sit in. One day you walk past it, the next day the same space is converted into a relation zone with beautiful yellow and blue Adirondack chairs. 

According to the local newsite TAPINTOSOMA,  The first "Rapid Lounging" location opened in South Orange last Thursday in the grassy area next to 76 South Orange Avenue, on the Valley Street side of the street. Since then, many more have popped up all Around South Orange, NJ.

South Orange Parklet

A "parklet" is located on South Orange Avenue near Sloan Street in front of landmark Bunnies Restaurant, Tito Burritos and Wings, and Lucky 7 Barbershop, where people can stop to chat and enjoy the downtown area. The parklet was designed by Chambers and Clarke, and incorporates native plants and recycled materials.

Next time you pass through town, look out for these inviting spaces, beautiful and relaxing yellow and blue Adirondack chairs, or instant parklets. It's great because instead of just rushing or walking through town, you get to sit, relax and enjoy a different space and view in the middle of town. 

Flagpole Monument — Center of South Orange, NJ

If you are from New York City, like me, and can zone out anywhere, well then this is your spot. Like zoning out on a subway ride, this spot is dead center of town. Historically, the first school in South Orange was located in South Orange where the town flagpole and World War 1 Monument now stands. The school had an inaugural class of 30 students which eventually moved and became Columbia High School. 

This site was dedicated in 1924 and contains a monument that’s cast in bronze and mounted in granite, located at the intersection of South Orange and Irvington Avenues. It is dedicated to those lost during World War I, of which six were from the Village. The flagpole was erected and dedicated by the citizens of South Orange in 1926. It has a nice sitting area, and if you like a great vista, then gaze up the hill into South Mountain while listening to the bustling traffic of South Orange Avenue because this is the place to sit, watch and zone out. 

Meadowland Park 

Meadowland Park contains 4 softball/little league diamonds, 8 lighted tennis courts, soccer and field sports, and an impromptu jogging path. Located at 5 Mead St in South Orange, NJ, Meadowland Park is the perfect destination for recreation, relaxation and exploration! 

The Meadowland Park Conservancy is making great progress, holding events and providing residents a great time. Winter or summer, Meadowland Park provides folks a perfect excuse to come down to South Orange's largest and most-visited park! From a relaxation perspective, there is a beautiful pond, a very nice gatehouse, walkway bridges and a beautiful vista from the top of Flood’s Hill. You can gaze forever, just think and ponder life for miles. There is so much going on in this park, so check out https://www.meadowlandpark.org.

Founders Park 

On a very busy thoroughfare at 265 Valley St is Founders Park. Founders Park is a 2-acre park located in the Academy Heights neighborhood of the Village of South Orange, NJ. The park features a central monument with manicured gardens, a children's playground, and large grassy expanses.

Unique it is. Until 1971, this space was the town cemetery, which had laid in quiet abandonment since 1926, at which time a law was passed forbidding the interment of any more deceased. Many of South Orange's (and Maplewood's) founding families were buried in this park. Look for their names on the central obelisk.

The Founders Park Conservancy is working to improve the park for today and create a vision of a park to be enjoyed for generations. Founders Park has been a hidden gem of the Village's many public spaces. To enjoy this park, just walk into the park off the main street — it gets quiet and reflective. 

Galleon Lawn - Seton Hall University (SHU)

As you can see from the video, Galleon Lawn is a wide open space on the Seton Hall University campus. It can be very busy, but other times it’s just a quiet space and great for studying and relaxing. It’s on campus as part of Seton Hall's 16-acres of open space and serves as an area for event and impromptu sports. Another thing to do is take a Seton Hall walking tour that has plenty of nice locations to divert the mind.  https://www.shu.edu/visit/upload/Campus_Map.pdf

Spiotta Park 

Located at the corner of South Orange Avenue and 20-32 Village Plaza, Spiotta Park is in the heart of downtown South Orange. The town website states: “Spiotta Park provides a sitting area in the middle of busy South Orange Village.” In the middle of the day, it is quiet and a great place to sit and enjoy the moment or, like I do, sit and watch the waterfall.

Former South Orange Village Center Executive Director Bob Zuckerman, now South Orange Trustee, stated during the 2018 renovation and revitalization ceremony, "Spiotta will be a great space for our residents and visitors alike to congregate all summer long, including on weekend evenings during our Downtown After Sundown (now Summer Saturdays live music) concerts."

South Orange Gazebo 

Near the South Orange Performing Arts Center, across from the South Orange Fire Department, and almost under the South Orange Train overpass, this nugget gets classified as a park. For locals and regulars it's a place to sit for a few and watch the circular traffic. The water fountain gives the kids a distraction as they watch the water, the fire trucks come and go, and/or watch the various trains arrive and leave.  Relax, have a conversation with a friend, and definitely catch a live music concert. The best GPS address to use is 17 Sloan Street, South Orange, NJ 07079.

Grove Park

At the eastern end of South Orange is Grove Park, a small park located on Grove Road in the Historic Montrose section of South Orange, NJ.

I found this description from NJ Playgrounds, and it kind of sums it up nicely:

“It is a small park for the pre-school age kids, with a nice walking path loop. It is a nice short walk to downtown South Orange, home of some great restaurants and shops. Nice tunnels for kids to crawl around. Some shade and benches are scattered through the park.”

The town site lists it as: Playground, Walking Track and Passive Recreation. There are benches all around and loads of grass in and out of the sun to passively sit and stare at the vista and the beautiful homes all around the outside.

Carter Park

Yup, this unknown gem Carter Park is located in the Tuxedo Park section of South Orange at College Place off Irvington Ave on the north eastern side of town. It recently received a grant for major improvements (read more here: South Orange’s Carter Park, Maplewood’s Civic House Bridge Get $150K County Grants). While it’s surrounded by homes and businesses, this little pocket park is great when you need a quick break. If you’re working from home but can’t go far, well, grab the kids and let them play while you stare off into the trees.  

Farrell Field 

Farrell Field is a park located at the South Western end of South Orange, NJ at 298 Walton Ave. It contains 2 tennis courts, a playground, half court basketball, baseball diamond, and it’s not on the normal travel paths —it’s a good hike to get to from downtown South Orange. This neighborhood park is overseen by the Farrell Field Park Conservancy.  They state:

“We have many missions, but our overriding goal is to work cooperatively with the Township of South Orange Village to help restore, renew, and assist in the maintenance and development of Farrell Field Park for the enjoyment of township residents and its many visitors. The goal is to protect open space, raise public awareness and support the rehabilitation of the park as well as improvements to the park.” 

Waterlands Park

Waterlands Park is an out-of-the-way park located at 3rd St in South Orange, NJ. Adjacent to a beautiful apartment complex, it is a recreational outlet with a baseball and softball field, sports area, playground and more of a walking track, not jogging track. Here, for a brief time as you take a short walk, you can closely connect with nature, birds and other natural scenery along the East Branch of the Rahway River. The short walking track has some nice trees which makes this place busy when sports activity is in progress, but at other times it becomes a very quiet respite from the hustle and bustle of your day to day. 

So whether you live, work or visit South Orange, NJ you are advised to take a moment and enjoy a number of places and spots where you can creatively take a break, rethink your life, or think about nothing but the view. 

Being the hometown music guy, I have previously written about Making Live Music Around South Orange, NJ While Adjusting for the COVID-19 Pandemic. In that post, I listed about 14 places to listen to live music.  

About the Author — Gregory Burrus

Gregory Burrus in Spiotta Park, South Orange, NJ with Forget The Whale  

Gregory Burrus is writing about his first love: the creative people, towns and events all around South Orange, NJ. Gregory continually observes, participates in, reports and writes on local community news, live music and the arts and entertainment scene of the Jersey/NYC landscape and beyond, right here as JI blogger Gregory Burrus. Contact Gregory Burrus to promote your business or nonprofit across various social media and blogging platforms. https://gregoryburrusproductions.com

Jazzy Afternoons South Orange Presents "Jazz Across The Generations" to Honor Jazz Appreciation Month 2021

By Gregory Burrus | Posted Saturday, April 3, 2021

Jazz music is considered to be a cultural icon in American history. As Jazz was invented more than 100 years ago, before the turn of the 20th century. The first jazz recording was made in 1917, but the musical form had existed for years before. The 1920s are commonly known as the Jazz Age, which encompassed more than just a love of the music. The up and coming jazz musicians of the time included Bix Beiderbecke, Jelly Roll Morton, and Duke Ellington and a fella born into that 1920’s era William Orval Crow who will be performing for us. 

As Jazz Appreciation Month aims to encourage people to learn about the long, intricate history of this music genre, we have an exciting Jazzy Afternoons’ jazz lineup planned for you outdoors live at The Fox & Falcon Restaurant in South Orange, NJ.  We will honor Jazz history with some fabulous swinging hardcore Jazz performances and a few musicians from back in the day. Events will include many  of your jazz regulars, young rising stars and a few jazz cats with a long history of performing and moving the legacy of jazz forward. 

Jazzy Afternoons at The Fox & Falcon Restaurant

MPACK Band jamming on a Jazzy Afternoon Sunday

Well due to the pandemic, it looks like Jazzy Nights which joined the South Orange Jazz scene last year, right before the pandemic hit us, has now turned into Jazzy Afternoons for the time being at The Fox & Falcon. Like last month we plan to be outdoors every Sunday April 4, 11, 18 and 25, weather permitting. Socially distanced outdoors under the sun and hopefully not need the heaters between 3 PM and 5 PM. 

For this April’s 2021 Jazz Appreciation Month we will feature the following performances. 

• Apr 4th Saxophonist Mike Lee with Billy Drummond on Drums and Mike Karn on bass

• Apr 11th Alex Desrivieres @alleycatsax with Josh November on Bass, Jerry Ulichny on Guitar, Ken O'Rourke on drums 

• Apr 18 Leonieke Scheuble leads a jazz generation s event with Nick Scheuble on drums and Bill Crow on bass.

• Apr 25 The prolific Radam Schwartz the Master of the Hammond B3 Organist - will bring a few friends along to entertain us.

Read on to learn a little more about the folks that will lead us through Jazz Appreciation Month 2021.

Mike Lee Trio

April 4, 2021 -  Mike Lee Mike kicks off our Jazzy Afternoons’ Jazz Appreciation Month with a ferocious roaring start with some very hardcore seasoned jazz professionals. 

Mike Lee locally has run some very successful and widely popular Jazz jams. - from Cecils to the Montclair Social Club and a few popular places in between. As a performing musician his recent associations include The Jimmy Heath Orchestra, The Dizzy Gillespie Orchestra, Wallace Roney’s Universe Orchestra, The Oliver Lake Big Band, The Loston Harris Trio, The Nat Adderley Jr. Quartet, etc, He performs regularly at venues such as The Bluenote, Dizzy’s Club Coca-Cola, Smalls, The Jazz Gallery, Fat Cat, and Bemelmans Bar at NYC Carlyle Hotel.

Joining Mike will be the thrilling and powerful drummer Billy Drumnond widely acknowledged as one of today’s most versatile drummers. Mentored  in the bands of jazz legends Horace Silver, Joe Henderson, Bobby Hutcherson, J J Johnson and Sonny Rollins, Drummond has gone on to record over 350 albums as a sideman with a veritable who’s who of jazz greats such as Horace Silver, Joe Henderson, Bobby Hutcherson, Buster Williams, Sonny Rollins, Nat Adderley, Eddie Henderson, James Moody, and Ron Carter t name a few  of the many.

And Mike Karn who was a part of the vibrant New York jazz scene that developed in the’ 80s and from NYU he went right to the road with Ray Charles. However as Jazz Times reported Mike Karn is a former tenor saxophonist that made the transition to [being an extremely  successful] first-call bassist and is always in demand. Mike has performed with Julius Tolentino, Harry Connick, Jr., Jerry Weldon and one of my favorites Charles Earland amongst many others.  

All of  these musicians have performed throughout the world with some of the jazz world’s biggest names and at the largest jazz venues and festivals.

Alex Desriveres and Friends

April 11, 2021 - An emerging Summer Saturdays South Orange favorite Alexandre Desrivieres aka AlleyCatSax is an up and coming saxophonist, composer, and woodwind doubler. He has worked as a performer on Norwegian Cruise Lines, at Dutch Wonderland amusement park, and in 2015 and 2016 was featured as a “Rising Star” at the COTA Jazz Festival. 

For Jazz Appreciation Month, Alex brings to The Fox & Falcon Jazzy Afternoons the next generation of jazz with his North Jersey Jazz Ensemble. Josh November on Bass, Jerry Ulichny on Guitar and Ken O’Rourke on Drums and they will help us all swing into spring. 

Pianist Leonieke Scheuble

April 18, 2021 -  We will highlight Jazz Across the Generations with professionals that have performed from the 1950s till today.  

Leading this session will be one of our very popular favorites, the young 18 year old rising Jazz Pianist Leonieke Scheuble (b. 2000s). In the summer of 2012, Jazz great Dr. Lonnie Smith gave a 10 yr. old Leonieke a Hammond organ after hearing her play on youtube. A year later, Rudy Van Gelder recorded her with Jimmy Cobb, Miles Davis’ star drumm. In 2015 HotHouse magazine awarded Leonieke "Best Up and Coming Young Artist". She will lead her seasoned trio of veteran professionals into The Fox & Falcon Jazzy Afternoons.

This special session with bassist Bill Crow (b.1920s) who has rubbed elbows with such luminaries as Gerry Mulligan, Marian McPartland, Stan Getz, and Duke Ellington. Bill has authored the book From Birdland to Broadway which is an enthralling insider's account of four decades of a life in jazz. 

Rounding out the trio is the very versatile and progressive, Jazz drummer and Latin percussionist Nick Scheuble (b.1960s). Having played in many noted venues throughout America and Europe, Nick has performed and/or recorded with, among others, Wynton Marsalis, Ray Barretto, Dave Valentin, Chico Mendoza, Peter Bernstein, Bill Crow, Vince Giordano, Mike LeDonne, Wycliffe Gordon, Don Braden and Eric Alexander to name a few. In earlier years Nick performed extensively in Europe and alternated residence between the Netherlands.

Radam Schwart and Friends

April 25, 2021 - We close out Jazz Appreciation Month Jazzy Afternoons at The Fox & Falcon with a few more very seasoned professionals. 

The  prolific Radam Schwartz, who is a Hammond B3 Organist and Jazz pianist that has built his career playing with such great musicians as Arthur and Red Prysock, Eddie Lockjaw Davis, Al Hibler, David Fathead Newman, Russell Malone and Cecil Brooks III. He has been featured on over 40 albums as a sideman and has recorded 9 albums as a leader. Radam’s is also known for hosting a long standing Jam Session from 1986 to 20016 at the famous Peppermint Lounge in Orange, New Jersey and then in Crossroads in Garwood, where he played every Tuesday for 19 years, making this the longest running session in New Jersey history. 

Gene Ghee is a highly in-demand saxophonist and has performed with numerous professionals such as Art Blakey Jr., Brother Jack McDuff, Jimmy McGriff, Teddy Pendergrass, Anita Baker, B.T.Express, Arthur Prysock, Little Anthony and The Imperials. Add to that Etta Jones, Bernard “Pretty” Purdie, Benny Powell, Eddie Palmieri, Machito, and Barry Harris plus the list goes on.  He's a performer on recordings of Stevie Wonder (Do I Do), played tenor saxophone and contracted the horn section for the session which included Frank Wess, Virgil Jones, Ron Tooley, Britt Woodman, Clifton Anderson, Victor Paz and others. Recordings / performances with the likes of Evelyn “Champagne” King, The Village People, Candi Staton. T.S.Monk plus many more national and international performers. 

About The Fox & Falcon

The Fox & Falcon, 19 Valley Street, South Orange, NJ (973) 419-6773

Jazzy Afternoons at The Fox & Falcon is located in the heart of downtown South Orange, it is a culinary destination for the emerging food scene of Essex County, in which renowned restaurateur David Massoni has found a home. Embodying the diversity and uniqueness of SOMA (South Orange/Maplewood), The Fox & Falcon delivers to all guests a warm and inviting environment in which to gather.

David Massoni, Owner, The Fox & Falcon

With more than twenty years of restaurant experience the restaurant is led by a very passionate customer focused owner David W Massoni with a staff that’s clearly focused on ensuring your health and service are optimal experiences. They are following all CDC guidelines so their policy is that “all guests must wear masks while inside while not eating or drinking. The maximum number of guests at one table if available) is eight (8). All guests must practice social distancing by standing 6 feet apart. If you have a fever or symptoms of COVID 19, please stay home.” 

The Fox & Falcon is ready, so join us outdoors under the tented space in a socially distanced full service outdoor dining area where the Jazz will be jumpin. Come listen, grab a drink, some food and have some fun.

About Gregory Burrus

Gregory Burrus with Restaurateur David Massoni, The Fox & Falcon

Gregory Burrus curates and manages the South Orange Village Center Alliance's Downtown After Sundown Live Music Concerts. This SOMA resident arrived in South Orange, 23-year ago and just loves South Orange, NJ. Gregory enjoys all music genres but his first love of jazz began as a boy when his mother and father played jazz on the good old record player at home and took him to clubs all over Manhattan. Greg is putting his expertise and knowledge gained from his former business environment to work producing music, art and community events across South Orange, Maplewood, Newark and other towns around the JerseyNYC area. 

Get Ready to Jam with Us During our 2020 Downtown After Sundown Live Music Season

By Gregory Burrus | Posted Sunday, February 2, 2020

A huge highlight of the 2019 South Orange Downtown After Sundown live music season was the addition of many more live music jam sessions. These sessions enabled more musicians and patrons to participate in our events. Here we look back at the bands that performed at some very successful performances during the 2019 season. Flashing back:

R and B Jamming with the MPACK Band

The first jam In May 2019 we had the Clarence Conover R&B band jamming  and conducting an Open Mic. It was swinging as MPack brought an explosive energy to the stage and they rocked the park all night long!

Gene Ghee and Friends Jazz Jam

On a rainy day in May ourDowntown After Sundown Jazz On Sloan program presented a Gene Ghee Jazz Jam.  Gene Ghee plays  saxophone, flute, clarinet and  is a 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.

Gene Ghee is a highly in-demand saxophonist and has performed with loads of professionals such as Monguito Santamaria, Art Blakey Jr., Brother Jack McDuff, Jimmy McGriff, Teddy Pendergrass, Anita Baker, B.T.Express, Arthur Prysock, Little Anthony and The Imperials. Add to that Etta Jones, Bernard “Pretty” Purdie, Benny Powell, Eddie Palmieri, Machito, and Barry Harris bplus the list goes on.  He's a performer on recordings of Stevie Wonder (Do I Do), played tenor saxophone and contracted the horn section for the session which included Frank Wess, Virgil Jones, Ron Tooley, Britt Woodman, Clifton Anderson, Victor Paz and others. Other cool recordings / performances with the likes of Evelyn “Champagne” King, The Village People, Candi Staton and T.S.Monk plus many many more national and international performers. A high caliber jazz musician like Gene Ghee is definitely on the list for a return performance in 2020.

Andy Lackow Outdoor Blues Jam

One of our very popular weekends was when Blues Man Andy Lackow ran our First 2019 Outdoor Blues Jam at Spiotta Park. It was truly a blast!!! 

Andy Lackow & Mess Around band is based in Northern New Jersey. While predominantly a blues band they play an eclectic mix that also includes blues-rock, roots-rock, soul, funk, New Orleans R&B and a little country as well.

Andy Lackow & Mess Around features Andy Lackow on guitar & vocals, Curtis Fowlkes on bass and Jim Hart on drums as a trio and as a quartet.  This was a great day, the weather was beautiful and lots of jammers came out and jammed with Andy to the delight of all the Downtown After Sundown attendees.

Al Gold‎ Blues Jam in Spiotta Park

Unfortunately rain canceled our Blues Jam in June that was to be conducted by  Al Gold.

Pianist James Austin, Jr. leads the NJPAC Jazz Jam for Jazz On Sloan Program 

This NJPAC Free Live Concert was held in the Heart of South Orange Village when New Jersey Performing Arts Center – NJPAC in partnership with “South Orange Village Center Alliance” presented a night of Jazz jamming led by Bandleader and pianist James Austin, Jr.

James Austin Jr has led the Rutgers, NJPAC Clements Place Jazz Jam in Newark for at least 5 years.  For at least 4 years at the wildly popular Clements Place Jazz sessions, Austin leads a number of jazz quartets composed of New Jersey musicians, performers affiliated with Wells Fargo Jazz for Teens and also the James Moody Jazz Orchestra which is  the acclaimed jazz program of NJPAC’s Department of Arts Education.

We were happy to have this ongoing very popular series hosted by New Jersey Performing Arts Center’s Department of Community Engagement. This series of performances featured some of New Jersey’s finest jazz musicians.. The sessions are a major hit with most jazz listeners as well as musicians and definitely enhances NJPAC’s role as the state’s principal, year-round presenter of jazz.  We are very happy to have them extend their reach into the South Orange, NJ community.

Carrie Jackson Jazz Jam

Jazz On Sloan Presented one awesome season ending Carrie Jackson Jazz Jam in Sept to close the 2019 Downtown After Sundown season.

Carrie Jackson Jazz Jam and Open Mic at the South Orange Gazebo. Carrie is considered one of the most consistently interesting singers in the New York/New Jersey metropolitan area and is one of the top Jazz artists around today performing classical performances of Jazz favorites, soulful sultry Pop, Blues and poignant mellow Gospel. She combines Jazz originals, standards, Pop/Blues tunes and open improvisation in an adventurous, genre-bending style that’s inspirational and original. With a focus on keeping the music alive we are working towards bringing Carrie back in 2020.

A big thank you to all of our 2019 Jam Leaders above and their bands. A big thank you goes out to our wonderful first time supporters like New Jersey Performing Arts Community Engagement - NJPAC, New Jersey Jazz Society- NJJS.org and Rutgers Institute of Jazz Studies.

Finally, as you can imagine the goal of this upcoming 2020 live music season season is to bring back as many jam sessions as possible because Downtown After Sundown is is looking forward to jamming once again in 2020 all Around South Orange, NJ.

Gregory Burrus, Live Music Ambassador

Gregory Burrus with South Orange Trustee Bob Zuckerman and former Executive Director of SOVCA.

Downtown After Sundown is a program sponsored by the South Orange Village Center Alliance and the Town of South Orange. https://www.sovillagecenter.org/pub/event/story/2382/

Gregory Burrus curates and manages the South Orange Village Center Alliance's Downtown After Sundown Live Music Concerts. This SOMA resident arrived in South Orange, 23-year ago and just loves South Orange, NJ. Gregory enjoys all music genres but his first love jazz began as a boy when his mother and father played jazz on the good old record player at home and took him to clubs all over Manhattan. Greg was an executive in the telecommunications industry and has consulted on telecom, technology and operational business processes systems all over the world. Now he is putting his expertise, gain from his former business environment to work producing music, art and community events across South Orange, Maplewood, Newark and other towns around Northern New Jersey and New York.

#downtownaftersundown #jazzonsloan #soundsinspiottapark #sovca #southorange #southorangegazebo #njpac #genegheesax #andylackowguitarists #algoldbluesjam #eyeshsamarablenjpac #jamesaustinpianists #carriejacksonvocalist #gregoryburrusaroundtown #JerseyIndie

What’s Happening in the 3rd Annual "24 Hours Of Music Jamboree" This Weekend July 20 and 21 (South Orange, NJ)

By Gregory Burrus | Posted Tuesday, July 16, 2019

The 24 Hours of Music Jamboree in its 3rd year is a volunteer nonstop music event, much-loved by the local music community, those who come from afar to perform and our many visitors.   Normally held in May, this year it will be conducted on July 20 and the 21st. From the first event at noon July 20th to the last event starting at noon July 21st, the live music runs for 24 consecutive hours nonstop, covers multiple musical genres and highlights a good cause. In addition to regular scheduled events, there is live music all over South Orange, NJ.

Sounds in Spiotta Park

In South Orange, Spiotta Park, New Jersey DJ Services will be warming us up at 11:15 am and then all day between the performances so you can expect New Jersey DJ Services  to be rocking the park all day long. Very happy that Soul Xpressiion School of Dance will be joining us for the first time and they will be live in Spiotta Park leading a Zumba session designed to make you work out and feel good.

As the afternoon progresses come enjoy Dan Ogden music, the very popular Howling Poets, connect with some Latin Music from Carlos Frias and another new group called Psychedelic Fusion from the band YIRD. In the early afternoon Black Wax will have you toe tapping, head bopping to some great R&B music and in the evening you can dance the night away to popular cover songs by the exciting NXStage band. To close the night in the park, you can rock it out hard with the fabulous tribute band Deadful Greats. So come enjoy everything in Spiotta Park from POP, World music, Rock, Latin, R&B and more.

We give a big thanks to Persaud Entertainment LLC and CEO Valerie Persaud in helping make the events happen in the park this year. Their band always attracts the largest Downtown After Sundown audience when Ricky Persaud Jr hits our stage which btw will be August 17th, 2019.

South Orange Gazebo

Meanwhile at the Jazz On Sloan at the South Orange Gazebo venue which has produced some wonderful live music performances from some truly great and well known musicians the mission continues with almost 24 Hours of Jazz and R&B from local musicians around the area. This year thanks to Wayne Winborne who is Executive Director of the Rutgers Institute of Jazz Studies(IJS) the IJS is  extending their community engagement mission of building and sharing jazz with us right here in South Orange NJ.

They are supporting all the Jazz events throughout the 24 Hours Of Music jamboree. DC Jazz Fusion bandleader and bassist Darryl Clark will bring on stage some really cool friends. Joining Darryl Clark will be the former songwriter for Luther Vandross’s, world renowned pianist Nat Adderley Jr along with another heavy hitter jazz professional from the Count Basie band, saxophonist Marshall MacDonald.

The South Orange Gazebo will continue swinging hard all day into the evening with Richard Reiter’s Drum Circle and Jazz Band and a make you always want to dance MPAC R&B Music band. You also get to spend some time with our gifted versatile vocalist, actor, producer and director Lynette Sheard.

There’s also some really new very cool up and coming jazz musicians, like Seniar Raines, Mike Petillo, the Ben Frank Trio, Tim Rodner and yes drummer Bruce Tyler.  

Retrospective Downtown After Sundown - 24 Hours of Music -Etc 2018 from Gregory Burrus on Vimeo.

The evening highlight of the jazz day will be a Jazz Jam to end all Jams when we hit it off with Percussionist Norman Mann’s Birthday Celebration Jazz Jam. The musicians will be swinging, the vocalist will be singing and the gazebo will be jumping. All musicians and vocalist are welcome to come join in and jam with us at this truly unique one of a kind Norman Mann birthday celebration. It’s going to be hot!!!!! Overnight, keeping the music live all night will be newcomer Ilan Esienzweig, pianist Brianne Ford Live with local vocalist Kari Capone joining us in the 5 AM hour. Then our newcomer from Flip Da Skrip Tasha R Williams goes solo at 6 AM followed by 24 Hour of Music veterans Patricia Walton from MPAC and then it’s the Steve Jones Music hour. This will be followed by Jazz at from the Hassenfeld group.

Back in the Park

And also over in Spiotta Park there will be a real world 4 hour Blues Extravaganza in Spiotta Park kicked off by singer Liza Katzoff, followed by soulful Tara Layne and then Blues Jam Master Andy Lackow closes us out.

Around South Orange

In addition to the music at Spiotta Park and the South Orange Gazebo music will be all around South Orange, NJ on July 20th and 21st.  A number of local stores and restaurants are supporting the 24 Hours of Music Jamboree. Out on the avenue music lovers can enjoy the music on the way into and out of town when they encounter “The Little Shop of Hip Hop, BGR Burger, Café Word Bookstore, Elitist Coffee Shop, Jackie and Sons and more.

Events on the avenue are being supported by Lifestyle Advocate CC Minton.

Other around town regular live music locations are The Fox and Falcon hosting its popular Karaoke Night. Papillion 25 entertaining its customers with returning favorite MPACK music band while the South Orange Performing Arts Center has the wildly popular Ragtime, The Musical on its main stage. On Sunday morning attendees can attend an early morning Café Word Inspirational music session.

Support South Orange Rescue Squad

This year the nonstop music jamboree is hoping to bring town wide awareness to the current needs of the South Orange Rescue Squad. As most folks do not know that the South Orange Rescue Squad is a completely volunteer organization. These folks are a full time support organization,  providing selfless service and are always there when we need them, so let’s be there for them when they need us. The public is invited to contribute to the South Orange Rescue Squad by making a donation at https://www.southorangerescuesquad.org or in person during the 24 Hours of Music Jamboree.

2018 Thank You All and here’s to 2019 and having another blast of a good time.

Thanks to South Orange Village Center Alliance, South Orange Village, the musicians, supporters and volunteers that help make it happen.

Gregory Burrus Around Town
24 Hours of Music
South Orange Village Center Alliance
Live Music Ambassador

Keywords: Gregory Burrus Around Town, 24 Hours of Music , South Orange Village Center , Alliance, Live Music Ambassador, South Orange Rescue Squad., CC Minton., Lynette Sheard., Darryl Clark, Nat Adderley Jr , Marshall MacDonald.,  Jazz On Sloan at the South Orange Gazebo , Wayne Winborne Executive Director, Lifestyle empowerment, jazz, blues