Montclair Jazz Festival Planned for August 20 in Nishuane Park,
12:00 noon - 6:00 pm
Montclair Jazz Festival Planned for August 20 in Nishuane Park, 12:00 noon to 6:00 pm
A day of exceptional music is in store at the Montclair Jazz Festival, set for Saturday, August 20th in Nishuane Park, from 12:00 am to 6:00 pm. Families, friends, and music lovers are invited to bring lawn chairs, blankets, and picnics lunches for a fun-filled day of great live music, food, crafts and activities.
Produced by Jazz House Kids, the second annual free family Montclair Jazz Fest will feature more than 100 multi-generational performers, including headliners legendary pianist Monty Alexander; internationally celebrated bass virtuoso Christian McBride; and jazz vocalist Melissa Walker. Hosted by DJ Sheila Anderson from WBGO 88.3 Radio and Artistic Chair of Jazz House Kids, Christian McBride, several distinguished New Jersey jazz "greats" are also slated for appearances including local legend, drummer Billy Hart; trumpeter and flugelhornest Freddie Hendrix; master guitarist Dave Stryker; celebrated organist Radam Schwartz; and pianist Oscar Perez. Another highlight of the festival will be the multi-generational talent of the Lee-Johns & Sons Band, featuring saxophonist Mike Lee, dynamic drummer Steve Johns and their musical prodigy sons, Julian Lee and Daryl Johns.
The event will also showcase tomorrow's rising stars and their talented faculty from the Jazz House Kids Summer Jazz Workshop. The students will perform in large ensembles and big bands scattered throughout the day. The camp was generously supported by foundation grants from The Prudential, Montclair and ASCAP Foundations. The Summer Jazz Workshop also included free weekday mid-afternoon Community Showcase Concerts in downtown Montclair.
The Town of Montclair is celebrated as one of the jazz capitals of New Jersey, with dozens of accomplished musicians and several jazz clubs making the surrounding community home. For more than a decade, the popular Montclair Blues & Jazz Festival brought top talent to the region. Jazz House Kids continues this tradition by bringing vibrant jazz music to the community free of charge on August 20th.
The music goes on even if the weather doesn't cooperate. Festivities will be moved indoors to the Salvation Army Citadel on Trinity Place in Montclair. For more information about the Montclair Summer Jazz Festival, call Jazz House Kids at 973-744-2273 or visit www.jazzhousekids.org.
Jazz House Kids is a community-based inter-generational organization that provides year-round musical, educational and cultural programs to students in grades K-12, teachers, adults and families from diverse backgrounds. Internationally renowned jazz performers teach alongside the professional staff, offering students a wide range of creative programming that develops musical potential, leadership, and strengthens academic performance. The "Jazz House" provides the framework inside which all students can learn the skills and principles required to play, sing, and appreciate America's homegrown music. Through music, mentoring and education Jazz House Kids cultivates tomorrow's global citizens so they may build vibrant communities where they live. For more information, contact 973-744-2273.
More Information: http://www.jazzhousekids.org
Submitted By:
Jazz House Kids
