FANTASIA
The 11th annual TD James Moody Jazz Festival in Newark will include concerts by Fantasia, The Yellowjackets and Terence Blanchard; jazz/hip-hop/spoken word concert featuring rappers such as Chuck D and Rakim and poets such as Nikki Giovanni and Sonia Sanchez); a collaboration between singer Dee Dee Bridgewater and dancer Savion Glover, and more.
“I love Newark’s history of jazz, all the legendary musicians who came from Brick City,” said NJPAC’s jazz advisor, Christian McBride, in a press release. “Celebrating that history is a vital part of this festival — but so is shining a spotlight on new voices, young artists, and collaborations that honor the deep connections between jazz and hip hop, R&B, dance and the spoken word.”
The festival, named after the late saxophonist who grew up in Newark and spent much of his life in the area, will take place Nov. 8-20. Here is an annotated schedule, with all shows, unless noted, taking place at the New Jersey Performing Arts Center.
Nov. 8, 7 p.m., free online event: “A Beautiful Bond” featuring bassist-percussionist Reggie Workman, drummer Nasheet Waits, pianist Sullivan Fortner and poets Mahogany L. Browne, John Murillo, Willie Perdomo and Aracelis Girmay. Christian McBride and Vincent Toro co-host. Presented in partnership with Rutgers University-Newark as part of the City Verses program.
TERENCE BLANCHARD
Nov. 10, 7:30 p.m. at Victoria Theater: Trumpeter Terence Blanchard featuring The E-Collective and the Turtle Island Quartet. Tribute to Wayne Shorter.
Nov. 10, 8 p.m. at Prudential Hall: Singers Fantasia and Jazzmeia Horn.
Nov. 12, 3 and 7:30 p.m. at Victoria Theater: “Interpretations,” featuring singer Dee Dee Bridgewater and tap dancer Savion Glover. They will perform separately and together.
Nov. 12, 6 p.m., Jazz Vespers at Bethany Baptist Church (free): Trumpeter Jon Faddis.
Nov. 13, 7 p.m. at Prudential Hall: Trouble No More (featuring guitarists Brandon “Taz” Niederaurer and Daniel Donato, singer Lamar Williams Jr. and others) performing The Allman Brothers Band’s 1972 double album Eat a Peach, with the band Dumpstaphunk opening.
Nov. 13, 7 p.m. at Victoria Theater: The Yellowjackets.
CHRISTOPER DRUKKER
REGINA CARTER
Nov. 16, 7:30 p.m. at Victoria Theater: Regina Carter, violin, and Carolyn Dorfman Dance. Featuring the world premiere of “Jazz Legends and The Power of Now!” (co-commissioned by NJPAC), choreographed by Dorfman and Juel D. Lane and set to live music by Carter and recordings of Louis Prima.
Nov. 17, 7 p.m. at Clement’s Place on the campus of Rutgers University-Newark (free): Jazz Jam. Artist TBA.
Nov. 18, 7 p.m. at Chase Room: NJMEA All-State Jazz Band and Choir with bassist Christian McBride.
Nov. 18, 8 p.m. at Prudential Hall: Singer Issac Delgado and bassist Alain Pérez.
Nov. 19, 2 p.m., Jazz Vespers on Film at Bethany Baptist Church (free): “Oscar Peterson: Black + White.”
Nov. 19, 3 and 7:30 p.m. at Victoria Theater: Maria Schneider Orchestra.
Nov. 19, 8 p.m. at Prudential Hall: “Represent! A Night of Jazz, Hip Hop and Spoken Word” at Prudential Hall. With rappers Rakim, Speech, and Chuck D; poets Sonia Sanchez, Nikki Giovanni, Jessica Care Moore, Mayor Ras Baraka, The Last Poets and students from the City Verses program; saxophonist Javon Jackson. Christian McBride will serve as musical director and lead a band.
Nov. 20, 11 a.m. and 1 p.m. at NICO kitchen + bar: Dorthaan’s Place jazz brunch, hosted by Dorthaan Kirk, with the Vanessa Rubin Trio (featuring pianist Brandon McCune, bassist Kenny Davis and drummer Winard Harper).
Nov. 20, 3 p.m. at Victoria Theater: 11th Annual Sarah Vaughan International Jazz Vocal Competition. Hosted by Gary Walker and featuring judges Regina Carter, Christian McBride, T.S. Monk, Pat Prescott and Maria Schneider, with past winners Tawanda Suessbrich-Joaquim and Gabrielle Cavassa appearing as guest vocalists.
For more information, visit njpac.org.
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