On Saturday night, September 24th, Maplewood, NJ was treated to an incredible performance by one of the most sought-after musicians in all of jazz. Thanks to Smooth Jazz NJ run by Maplewood resident Rich Engel, The Woodland in Maplewood hosted a…

Jazzy On The Lawn - In celebration of Fall, the Elmwood Church lawn will come alive with the explosive sounds of jazzy live music as Elmwood Culture Club welcomes acclaimed composer, saxophonist Lee Odom and her Quintet. Kicking off this Jazzy Afternoon on the Lawn live music experience will be one of North Jersey’s dynamic bands led by the swinging vocalist Stephen Fuller…

Our next Jazzy Nights Event will be at the historic South Orange Blanchard Mansion where we’ll enjoy another swinging night of jazzy live music, fun and fellowship with friends and neighbors. This event is being held to celebrate our buddy CC Minton as the recently appointed president of Harlem World Magazine…

Well, Summer is quickly coming to a close but fortunately September 2022 has lots of Summer within the month along with a lot of live music events for sure. So here we go with Gregory Burrus Productions events all around our towns of Newark, Cranford, City of Orange, Maplewood, Linden, West Orange, Bloomfield and of course South Orange…

Please join us on July 23rd, 3-8 PM, at the Jazz Fest at the Promenade — The Raymond Wood Bauer Promenade at 400 North Wood Ave in Linden, NJ. Come out and enjoy some great jazz music from local artists. Take a look at what's happening and hopefully you can join us…

Hey everybody, we have a great music scene running around the towns and we're proud of it. Our Jazzy live music events are the perfect way to spend a summer afternoon or evening. Our goal is to support local artists and help them get their music out there. Our events feature some of the best up-and-coming talent in the area, are family-friendly, and a great way to bring the community together…

You are all invited to the City of Orange NJ Food Truck and Jazz Festival for a delicious food and live music experience! Join us in the spacious nature-driven outdoors of Monte Irvin Orange Park. Monte Irvin Orange Park is a county park in the City of Orange, in Essex County, New Jersey. It serves the City of Orange with a playground, athletic fields, basketball court, soccer field, walking paths…

Following their successful 30-city North American tour, Alter Bridge are currently now venturing on their summer 2023 leg of the “Pawns & Kings” tour: with support acts of long-time friends SEVENDUST and recent tour-mates MAMMOTH WVH. The Stone Pony Summer Stage was the second date of the month-long tour, and it was such a pleasure to capture some of the magic and write-up a report on my experience and takeaways.

David Ross Lawn has been actively photographing for Jersey Indie and freelancing in concert photography and self-portraiture for years, working for bands and brands big and small. David is here to talk about their photography journey, their go-to equipment, and their editing approaches for photographing live music in their individualistic and easily-recognizable style.

On Sunday, June 5th, the sun was shining and the weather was a comfortable 70-something degrees as Asbury Park hosted New Jersey’s 30th Annual Statewide LGBTQ+ Pride Celebration. Jersey Indie photographer David Ross Lawn was on the scene capturing moments from the parade, which featured “floats, decorated vehicles, marching bands, and enthusiastic marchers “ (learn more at jerseypride.org).

On September 16th, Nebraska band 311 performed at Ocean Casino Resort in Atlantic City, NJ. 311 was started by Nick Hexum, Jim Watson, Aaron "P-Nut" Wills, and Chad Sexton in 1988 and is known for its mix of alternative rock, rap rock, reggae rock, funk rock, and alternative metal. Lead singer Nick Hexum was featured on the newest studio album of reggae/hip hop/funk band Tropidelic, which 311 shared the stage with on September 16th. Photographer Greg Ludwig was on the scene to capture the show…

On September 16th, Ohio band Tropidelic performed at Ocean Casino Resort in Atlantic City, NJ. Tropidelic was started by Matthew Roads and Kyle "Chevontez" Cheuvront in 2005 and embraces a mix of high-energy reggae, hip hop, and funk. Just last month, the band released their newest studio album, entitled All The Colors, which features vocals by Nick Hexum of the band 311…

I talk about being aware of your mental and emotional selves a lot on my blog. I wish I was better at taking my own advice, I give really good advice guys, but please make sure you find joy in what can seem like trying times. I also want to stress to take it easy on people and be patient. Primarily if, like me, you work with and deal with people and different personalities every day…

Back with another edition of Words with P.R. I am back from Nashville, TN and had a bit of post-vacation blues. I learned a lot about myself on this trip. First off, six days is a little too long to visit one city. Next time I am on vacation for six days, I think I want to split that time between a couple different places. But all in all, I had an amazing time. I was in “Music City” for the big 4 WWE PPV: SummerSlam weekend…

July was a big travel month. And I must say that it feels so good to get the fuck out of New York City. As much as I love my hometown, traveling to other places is good for the soul. The summer is rolling on and the blessings are coming through. My love/hate relationship with change is being tested. I am constantly fighting against my impulsive free spirit side with the side that is a creature of habit…

Six months ago, I was sick with COVID. Six months ago was my 32nd birthday. I was always one of the people that have looked at the pandemic as a blessing and a curse because there are times where you need to pause. And as an ambitious New Yorker, that did not seem possible. I, thank God, came out on the other side of COVID because it really set things off…

I met Krista B. through media. My sister Letty was producing a Black Women in Media blogger panel in 2015 for a brand called Daze Summit. I was on the panel representing my blog at the time, Masconsumption, and she was representing the blog Brooklyn Social. On the panel, someone mentioned wrestling, and me and her eyes lit up. It is not often that you meet another black girl your age that loves wrestling as much as I do…

I am not sure when I declared it in the last couple of years, but I felt like we were in the middle of a Black Wrestling Renaissance. Everyone knows about WWE, but there are actually about 100 independent wrestling promotions filled with stars, who are putting on great shows on a local level.  The definition of a Renaissance is a revival of or renewed interest in something…

PR. Public Relations. What is it exactly? Getting yourself seen and heard on television, the radio, in print, and online. How easy is it? Not very, if you’re trying to do it on your own. That’s where Ronica Clearly, Founder/Owner of Clearly Strategies, can help. If you’re a thought leader who’s trying to get in front of a larger audience, or a brand with an intriguing backstory, you’ll want to read this interview...

Terri DiMatteo is a NJ Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) who specializes in helping couples and individuals reduce conflict, tension, or disconnect in their relationships, via virtual online therapy sessions. If you’ve ever been curious about what a Licensed Professional Counselor does, how counseling can help you, and you want to learn some simple but effective techniques to…

During the COVID-19 pandemic, Newark Working Kitchens (NWK) was launched in an effort to keep Newark’s local restaurants open and Brick City residents fed. This initiative was powered by Audible, the major online audiobook and podcast service, which has its headquarters in Newark. Just last month, Audible launched a new meal delivery service app, called “NWK Delivers (NWKD).” The app was created to continue and expand the work of Newark Working Kitchens. Aisha Glover, VP of Urban Innovation at Audible…

Plainfield, NJ entrepreneurs can now get the help they need to make their businesses grow and thrive, thanks to “The Queen City Innovation Hub: Accelerator Program” which will be providing free tools, resources, and other forms of assistance to accepted businesses. The program will run from September 2022 through August 2023…

Next week, NJ emo/rock legends Armor For Sleep will be sharing the stage with Dashboard Confessional and Andrew McMahon in the Wilderness, playing a series of shows in NJ, PA, and NY as part of the Hello Gone Days tour.  Armor For Sleep recently released a new single entitled “How Far Apart”, off of their upcoming album The Rain Museum, which drops September 9th via Equal Vision Records…

Green Day’s American Idiot, the musical based off of the band’s 2004 album of the same title, hit Broadway in April 2010 and went on to win 2 Tony Awards. Now, American Idiot is coming to Asbury Park, New Jersey, with a largely New Jersey-based cast and crew. Produced by Asbury Park Theater Company in association with Remember Jones Productions, the show will premiere on Friday, July 1st, 2022 at the Kingsley Theater…

On June 30th, New Jersey pop/rock artist Mistine will be releasing her debut EP, “Fade”, on all streaming platforms. Having toured with such pop acts as Conan Gray, WizTheMC, and Zeph, Mistine is ready to share her new nostalgia-inspired tunes with the world. She’s already released two singles from her EP (“Temporary Feeling” and “Everett Park”), both of which have over 24,000 plays on Spotify…

On Sunday, June 5th, the sun was shining and the weather was a comfortable 70-something degrees as Asbury Park hosted New Jersey’s 30th Annual Statewide LGBTQ+ Pride Celebration. Jersey Indie photographer David Ross Lawn was on the scene capturing moments from the parade, which featured “floats, decorated vehicles, marching bands, and enthusiastic marchers “ (learn more at jerseypride.org).

Jersey Shore hip hop artist Inf Grizzy has been hard at work building up a loyal following, expanding his radio plays, and even appearing on billboards in Time Square and South Jersey. He’s currently working on a release date for his upcoming album and has already released two singles from it, “Love is Blind” and “Clap Clap.” I spoke with Inf earlier this month to ask him about the inspiration behind “Love is Blind”, what the filmmaking process was like for the “Love is Blind” music video, and to learn what else we can expect musically in 2022.

Stanhope, NJ band The City Limit is cooking up new music for 2022, drawing on a diverse range of influences, from blues to pop, rock, funk, jazz, and folk. I interviewed bandmates Scott Lewis, Anthony Ambrosio, Sean Farrelly, and Mike Casson twice last year to ask them about their future music plans. Just a little over a month ago, they teased on Instagram part of a new single, which we may get to hear on April 22nd when they perform at Newton, NJ's Greek's Bar. Then, on Saturday, May 14th, The City Limit will be traveling down south, performing for the first time in North Carolina at Wampus Cat Music Festival. 

In February of this year, Asbury Park alt-rock songwriter, producer, and multi-instrumentalist Sara Abdelbarry (a.k.a Teen Idle) released her first single in 2 years, entitled “Burning”, and this Friday, 4/15, she’ll also be releasing the official music video for it. With the exception of drums recorded by Simon Ogilvie and Danny Murray, Sara played all the instruments featured in the song and recorded them in her basement. (Shoutout to Andy Schichter for mixing and Kramer for mastering.)

South Amboy singer/songwriter, alt-pop recording artist Jackie June just dropped a brand new single, “Falling Apart”, today. Written and recorded in collaboration with artists April Rose Gabrielli and Kulick, “Falling Apart” marks a sonic departure from Jackie’s previous music, while still being true to her penchant for deep, meaningful lyrics. As Jackie explains in her interview (Part 1 was filmed in March 2021, Part 2 in March of this year), while the subject matter of her songs may be serious, she likes to couple them with an upbeat, driving pop melody while also eliciting joy through refreshing and — as we’ll see with “Falling Apart” — playful music videos. Listening to Jackie June’s music, audiences are reminded to stop, reflect, and appreciate the beauty of the things and people around them.

Punk n’ roll band, Thrill Ride, brought some much-needed joy to passersby in South Orange-Maplewood (SOMA, for short) when they decided to move their practice sessions outdoors during the pandemic. I spoke with Paul Haley (guitar/vocals) and John Ramsburg (bass/vocals) of Thrill Ride at the end of March 2021, and now, almost a full year later, it’s interesting to see what things have changed and what has stayed the same. Paul and John are both cool guys, so it was a blast to learn about the inspiration behind their sound, their songs, and how their music has been received locally as well as internationally.

If you find yourself part of Katie Miller’s inner circle, consider yourself lucky. Over the years, this South Jersey singer-songwriter has managed to surround herself with a diverse group of creative and talented people, sending the right energy out into the universe and attracting it back. When I first spoke with Katie (almost exactly a year ago) her band Kate Dressed Up had just released a single and an accompanying music video for the song “Ride Home.” Now, a year later, Katie has released a second song, entitled “The Fountain”, this time accompanied by a beautifully produced animated short. As it goes, a lot has happened in Katie’s life over the course of a year, but what has remained constant is her dedication to her craft, her practice of gratitude, and her ability to continue welcoming people in with open arms.

South Jersey drummer, songwriter, and studio owner Ryan Hilsinger, also known as Sleepy Rye, last month released the first single off of his upcoming debut EP. Blending together multiple influences, his EP A Bit of a Non-Person has a little something for everyone. In addition to getting ready to release his own music, Ryan is also working on a musical compilation via his studio AGL Sounds in Cherry Hill, NJ to benefit multiple charities (reach out to him to get involved). Be sure to check out his EP which drops tomorrow, March 2nd, and to learn more about Ryan and the ways you can collaborate with him, check out our interview below.

NJ’s Chelsea Carlson has been keeping busy during the pandemic as a multi-genre singer/songwriter, member of the Renaissance Faire-inspired trio Bardy Pardy, and as a music teacher giving virtual and in-person lessons to students K-12. On Friday, February 11, you can also see her perform live as she opens for the band The Wag at The Coffee House in Edison, NJ. Chelsea has a ton of new music coming out later this year, as both a solo artist and through Bardy Pardy. So how has she been able to juggle all these creative endeavors while remaining so upbeat?

I’ve known John Kiernan for several years now. (We originally connected when I needed a composer for some videos I produced.) What’s interesting about John — among many things — is that while he’s very much an artist/musician, he’s also a great businessman. He’s figured out how to take something that he’s passionate about (composing music) and make a career out of doing what he loves. He found an outlet as a pro wrestling entrance theme composer, and over the last two years or so he has written over 100 theme songs in a wide variety of genres. His music has been used by wrestlers the world over, and if you turn on your TV set (for those of us who still have one), you can see/hear his music being played during any number of pro wrestling events.

For those who don’t know Nancy Cook — you should. Whether she’s rocking out with her band Megasparkle, putting together art shows and events, making dresses by hand, or uncovering fabulous vintage items, one thing is for certain: Nancy is always on the go. Her vintage clothing and accessory business, Crash Doll Vintage, is the place to go if you’re looking for that rare, stylish vintage piece to add to your growing wardrobe. (If you’re in NYC, check out the Crash Doll Vintage pop-up at 340 E 64th Street, now through January 16, 2022.) Learn all about Nancy’s fashionable beginnings, what it was like to start a business during COVID, and how to shop Crash Doll Vintage online, in our interview below.

Megasparkle, the kickass all-female band from Maplewood, NJ, hasn’t let the pandemic slow them down. Delivering a mix of indie, post-punk, pop-rock deliciousness, Thea Kearney (lead guitar, vocals), Nancy Cook (guitar, vocals), Kristy Ranieri (bass), and CJ Jeiven (Drums) released their first 5-song E.P, “Swirling Glitter”, back in February 2021. I was fortunate to have the opportunity to speak with Thea and Nancy about their pandemic-related musical adventures in our interview below.