Christian McBride and his big band performed at Wednesday night's Jazz House Kids benefit at the New Jersey Performing Arts Center. The show was part of the TD James Moody Democracy of Jazz Festival.
The TD James Moody Democracy of Jazz Festival — Newark's first major jazz festival in 15 years — began on Monday, but its centerpiece concert takes place tonight, with an all-star concert playing tribute to the late James Moody himself, 8 p.m. at the New Jersey Performing Arts Center. George Benson, the Manhattan Transfer, David Sanborn, Kenny Barron, Jon Faddis and many others will perform.
Tomorrow, meanwhile, is the busiest day of the festival, with events scheduled all day, and a tribute to Miles Davis and Gil Evans — featuring trumpeter Terence Blanchard and many others — capping the day, at NJPAC. And the festival wraps up on Sunday.
On Wednesday, NJPAC presented a star-studded benefit for the Montclair-based educational organization, Jazz House Kids. Christian McBride Big Band, Angélique Kidjo, Melissa Walker, George Duke, Maceo Parker and Fred Wesley were among the scheduled performers. Amy Kuperinsky wrote, at the start of her Star-Ledger article:
Why did actress S. Epatha Merkerson and Angelique Kidjo, the Grammy-winning singer from Benin, find themselves doing the two-step at NJPAC's Victoria Theater Wednesday, clapping and swaying as impromptu backup dancers?
Jazz House Kids.
For a decade, the Montclair-based music program has provided education to local students, boasting some of the most heralded jazz performers among its teaching staff. About 350 students are a part of Jazz House Kids every month, interacting with a pool of teachers that includes 45 professional musicians. Its supporters and beneficiaries gathered for almost two hours of music Wednesday night, in a charitable component of the ongoing TD James Moody Democracy of Jazz Festival (for other festival offerings taking place this weekend, see next page).
Monday, the festival presented two free performances of the new jazz musical, "Magic Tree House: A Night in New Orleans," for Newark schoolchildren, with more performances scheduled during the course of the week.
Here's a brief report by Star-Ledger reporter Peggy McGlone, who also wrote a longer article in today's Star-Ledger:
This post will be updated throughout the week with links to more articles about the festival. Feel free to share your thoughts about everything that is happening in the comments section, below.
Here is a schedule of upcoming events. All are in Newark, and most are taking place at the New Jersey Performing Arts Center, which is at 1 Center St. For information, call (888) 466-5722 or visit njpac.org.
8 p.m.: “For Love of Moody: A Jazz Celebration.” A tribute to the late James Moody, with George Benson, the Manhattan Transfer, David Sanborn, Kenny Barron, Jon Faddis, Jimmy Heath, John Lee, Paquito D’Rivera, Christian McBride, Paul Lieberman, Todd Coolman, Adam Nussbaum, others. Music director is Renee Rosnes. Prudential Hall at NJPAC. $29 to $79. Musicians from NJPAC’s Jazz for Teens program perform in the lobby at 7 p.m.
10 a.m.: Master class with Christian McBride, Horizon Black Box Theater at NJPAC’s Center for Arts Education, 24 Rector St. Free.
Noon: James Moody panel discussion with Linda Moody (Moody's widow), Ina Dittke (Moody's manager), bassist Todd Coolman, pianist Mike Longo and trumpeter Jon Faddis. Former Star-Ledger jazz critic George Kanzler moderates. Rutgers Institute of Jazz Studies — John Cotton Dana Library, 185 University Ave. Free.
12:30 p.m.: Children's concert with the Antonio Hart Quartet, Newark Museum, 49 Washington St. Free.
1 and 4 p.m.: "Magic Tree House: A Night in New Orleans," new jazz musical based on Mary Pope Osborne's book, "A Good Night for Ghosts," Victoria Theater at NJPAC. $29.
3 p.m.: Next Generation Jazz Jam Session, Horizon Black Box Theater at NJPAC's Center for Arts Education, 24 Rector St. Free.
Terence Blanchard will play the music of Miles Davis at the New Jersey Performing Arts Center on Saturday.8 p.m.: "Miles Davis and Gil Evans: Still Ahead": Music from Davis' "Porgy and Bess," "Sketches of Spain" and "Miles Ahead" albums performed by Terence Blanchard, Peter Erskine, Howard Johnson, Sean Jones, Jimmy Cobb, others, Prudential Hall at NJPAC. $29 to $69. Musicians from NJPAC's Jazz for Teens program perform in the lobby at 7 p.m.
11 a.m.: Dorthaan’s Place with the Geri Allen Quartet, Nico Kitchen + Bar at NJPAC. $45 ($15 for children younger than 12), brunch included. Sets at noon and 1:30 p.m.
3 p.m.: Sarah Vaughan International Jazz Vocal Competition, Victoria Theater at NJPAC. $29 to $39.
Open 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Mondays through Fridays, plus noon to 4 p.m. Oct. 20. “Too Heavy for Words” exhibition of jazz-related photographs by Jersey photographers Tony Graves, Risasi Dais, George Wirt and Bill May, WBGO Gallery, 54 Park Place. Free.
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• An emotional tribute to the late James Moody
• Vocalists to compete on Sarah Vaughan's turf in jazz fest
• Jamming for 10: Jazz House Kids celebrates a decade
• Festival treats Newark kids to a jazz adventure
• James Moody Democracy of Jazz Festival takes over Newark next week
• NJPAC to mount major jazz festival in October
• NJPAC adds to Moody jazz fest offerings
• NJPAC's new CEO brings jazz, Newark history and 'splash' to new arts season
• Jazz legend James Moody dead at 85