Performers have been announced for this year’s Montclair Jazz Festival.
Lakecia Benjamin & Phoenix, the Jazzmeia Horn Quartet, Christian McBride’s Ursa Major and The Jazz House Collective (playing the music of James Moody) will be among the performers at this year’s Montclair Jazz Festival, which will take place on Sept. 13. (UPDATE: Jazzmeia Horn has been replaced by José James.)
As is always the case for this festival — which is organized by the Montclair-based educational organization, Jazz House Kids — there will be no admission charge.
The day will begin with a New Orleans-style second line parade, led by Alphonso Horne’s Gotham Kings, from Church Street and Park Avenue to the new main-stage location at Lackawanna Plaza.
Main-stage performances will take place from noon to 8 p.m. (set times are not yet available), with DJ music from Christian McBride (as his DJ Brother Mister alter ego) and DJ Prince Hakim following. Also, Jazz House Kids students and alumni will perform on a second stage from noon to 8 p.m.
Last year’s 15th anniversary festival attracted more than 26,000 attendees.
Throughout this summer, the festival has been presenting shows (in conjunction with the New Jersey Hall of Fame) in a free series outside Montclair’s Wellmont Theater. In a press release, this was described as part of the way the festival is evolving.
The press release said:
For the first time, due to today’s volatile climate and uncertainty, several committed government and corporate sponsors — including the National Endowment for the Arts — have rescinded funding, requiring innovation, adjustments, and new partnerships to sustain the Festival.
Despite challenging times and ongoing uncertainty in arts funding, JAZZ HOUSE KIDS remains steadfast in its mission: to bring world-class jazz to Montclair, attract friends and fans from far and wide, and keep its promise that the MONTCLAIR JAZZ FEST remains a No Tickets Required event — free and open to all — in celebration of the rich multicultural heritage of our nation.
This year, the MONTCLAIR JAZZ FESTIVAL unveils many new surprises and pivots to an exciting new chapter, deepening its roots in the heart of Montclair through two dynamic collaborations: the Wellmont Theater for the summer and BDP Holdings’ Lackawanna Plaza for September.
For information, visit montclairjazzfestival.org.
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