This year’s TD James Moody Jazz Festival will feature Andra Day, center, and, clockwise from top left, Arturo Sandoval, Christian McBride, Chuck D, Carlos Varela and Stanley Clarke.
Christian McBride’s Big Band will perform with singers Andra Day, José James, and Ledisi. Rappers (including Public Enemy’s Chuck D) and poets will join forces for “Represent!: A Night of Jazz, Hip Hop, and Poetry.” Savion Glover’s tap-dance percussion will be heard with the music of the group PROjECt.9.
Stanley Clarke will appear with his *N* 4EVER fusion group. Lake Street Dive’s Rachael Price will team with singer-guitarist Vilray Bolles for a duo show. And guitarist Stanley Jordan will present a tribute to Jimi Hendrix.
All of these shows, and more, will be part of the stylistically broad lineup of the 14th annual TD James Moody Jazz Festival, which will take place at The New Jersey Performing Arts Center and other Newark venues, Nov. 8-23.
McBride, who is NJPAC’s Jazz Advisor as well as the co-curator of this festival, said in a press release: “As always, I’m proud that we’ve put together a festival that has something for everyone: You’ll hear inspiring words from Dodge Poets, witness the tap dance magic of Savion Glover, hear Rachael Price of Lake Street Dive sing new tunes inspired by the music of the 1940s with her friend Vilray, and move to Cuban rhythms from Carlos Varela, Diana Fuentes, Arturo Sandoval and Omar Sosa. Plus, we’ll welcome two legendary players — my fellow bassist Stanley Clarke, and guitarist Stanley Jordan — to the NJPAC stage this season.
“This is a rare treat, and I know fans will be looking forward to their appearances as much as I am.”
John Schreiber, NJPAC’s President and CEO, said: “Jazz has always been an art form that’s strengthened by artists collaborating, crossing boundaries, finding new inspiration in the counterpoint of different rhythms coming together. You’ll hear that in almost every show at the TD James Moody Jazz Festival this year, and especially in this year’s Represent! concert that will bring together leading voices in hip hop, jazz and spoken word poetry.”
OMAR SOSA
Here is the lineup. It is noted when shows are free. Tickets to most other shows are now available or will be available soon; visit njpac.org/jazz.
Nov. 8, 6 p.m.: Jazz Vespers at Bethany Baptist Church. Featuring George Cables, piano; Alexander Claffy, bass; Jerome Jennings, drums. FREE
Nov. 8, 7:30 p.m.: Omar Sosa Quarteto Americanos at Victoria Theater at NJPAC. Featuring Omar Sosa, piano; Sheldon Brown, saxophone, clarinet and flute; Ernesto Mazar Kindelán, bass; Josh Jones, drums.
Nov. 9, 3 p.m.: Stanley Clarke’s *N* 4EVER at Victoria Theater at NJPAC. With bassist Ben Williams appearing as “special guest.”
Nov. 12, 4:30 p.m.: TD Jazz for Teens performance and reading of Yo-Yo Ma’s “Playing at the Border: A Story of Yo-Yo Ma” at Newark Public Library, Springfield Branch. FREE
Nov. 13, 7:30 p.m.: Arturo Sandoval at Victoria Theater at NJPAC.
Nov. 14, 7 p.m.: New Jersey Music Educators Association/All-State Jazz Band and Jazz Choir at Chase Room at NJPAC.
Nov. 15, 3 and 7 p.m.: Savion Glover with PROjECt.9 at Victoria Theater at NJJPAC.
Nov. 15, 8 p.m.: “Blues Is Alright” at Prudential Hall at NJPAC. With singers Tucka James, King George, Pokey Bear, West Love, Lenny Williams; and singer-guitarist Theodis Ealey.
Nov. 16, 2 p.m.: Jazz Salsa Sunday featuring The Luisito Rosario Orchestra at Feldman Middleton Community Center. FREE
Rachael Price and Vilray Bolles.
Nov. 16, 7 p.m.: Rachael & Vilray (featuring singer Rachael Price and singer-guitarist Vilray Bolles) at Victoria Theater at NJPAC.
Nov. 20, 8 p.m.: “Represent!: A Night of Jazz, Hip Hop, and Poetry” at Prudential Hall at NJPAC. Featuring rappers Chuck D, Rakim and Slick Rick, poets Tyehimba Jess and Caridad de la Luz (La Bruja), The Nuyorican Slam Poetry Team, DJ Spinna.
Nov. 21, 7:30 p.m.: Jazz Jams at Clement’s Place. FREE
Nov. 21, 7:30 p.m.: Carlos Varela at Victoria Theater at NJPAC. With singer Diana Fuentes and poet Rodrigo Toscano.
Nov. 21, 8 p.m.: Christian McBride Big Band at Prudential Hall at NJPAC. With singers Andra Day, José James and Ledisi.
Nov. 22, 7:30 p.m.: Stanley Jordan, Jimi Hendrix tribute at Victoria Theater at NJPAC.
Nov. 23, 11:30 a.m. and 1:30 p.m.: “Dorthaan’s Place” featuring Nat Adderley Jr. Quartet, at NICO Kitchen + Bar at NJPAC.
Nov. 23, 3 p.m.: Sarah Vaughan International Jazz Vocal Competition at Victoria Theater at NJPAC. Gary Walker, host; Ann Hampton Callaway, Jon Faddis, Nnenna Freelon, Christian McBride, Janis Siegel, judges; Tyreek McDole (SVIJVC’s 2023 winner), guest singer.
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