The New Jersey Performing Arts Center (NJPAC) is thrilled to announce the 13th Annual TD James Moody Jazz Festival, a dynamic celebration of jazz set to take place from November 7 to November 24, 2024. This year’s festival promises an eclectic and exhilarating lineup of performances, spotlighting both legendary jazz figures and exciting new talents across various venues in Newark.
A Star-Studded Lineup
The festival kicks off on November 7 with the legendary Paquito D’Rivera Quintet, who will be joining forces with the New Jersey Symphony for a unique blend of Latin jazz and classical music. D’Rivera, a Grammy Award-winning artist known for his virtuosic skills on the clarinet and saxophone, will showcase his signature jazzy interpretations of Mozart and Gershwin over three performances, including a special matinee.
The celebration of jazz continues with a tribute to funk on November 14, featuring an extraordinary ensemble of funk icons including George Clinton, Vernon Reid, Nona Hendryx, and Savion Glover. With Music Director Ray Chew at the helm, this event promises to be a high-energy homage to funk’s rich legacy.
On November 15, the festival will present a double bill featuring the NJMEA All-State Jazz Band and Choir, showcasing the next generation of jazz talent from New Jersey. This will be followed by a special concert led by Pulitzer Prize-winning percussionist Tyshawn Sorey, who will be joined by pianist Aaron Diehl and bassist Harish Raghavan. Sorey will also premiere a new work commissioned by NJPAC, inspired by the pioneering jazz drummer Max Roach.
Jazz Icons and Rising Stars
As the festival progresses, audiences will have the pleasure of enjoying intimate performances from acclaimed artists like Madeleine Peyroux on November 16, who will bring her smoky, emotive voice to NJPAC’s Victoria Theater. Later that day, the WBGO Children’s Concert featuring Davell Crawford will introduce younger audiences to the joys of jazz.
The festival’s penultimate weekend on November 23 will feature two exceptional performances: the Django Festival All-Stars, led by Dorado Schmitt and his sons, paying tribute to the gypsy jazz of Django Reinhardt, and a special appearance by the Kronos Quartet, exploring the works of Mahalia Jackson and other influential artists.
The grand finale on November 24 will be the 13th Annual Sarah Vaughan International Jazz Vocal Competition. This prestigious competition, named in honor of Newark’s own jazz legend Sarah Vaughan, will offer emerging vocalists from around the world a chance to showcase their talents. The competition promises to reveal the next generation of jazz stars, with a panel of distinguished judges including Dee Dee Bridgewater, Christian McBride, and Madeleine Peyroux.
Festival Highlights and Tickets
The TD James Moody Jazz Festival offers something for every jazz enthusiast, from the vibrant energy of funk and the artistry of jazz greats to the innovative sounds of emerging artists. The festival will be held at various venues throughout Newark, including NJPAC’s Prudential Hall, Victoria Theater, and Chase Room, as well as the Mayo Performing Arts Center and Newark Symphony Hall.
“Each year, this festival showcases the incredible breadth of jazz,” said NJPAC President and CEO John Schreiber. “We are honored to present such a diverse lineup of artists and performances, and we are thrilled to celebrate the legacy of jazz with both established legends and rising stars.”
NJPAC’s Jazz Advisor, Christian McBride, expressed his excitement for the festival: “This year’s lineup is exceptional, featuring a mix of legends and new voices. We’re bringing together some of the finest talents in jazz to create a festival that is both a celebration of the genre’s rich history and a look towards its future.”
Tickets for the TD James Moody Jazz Festival are now available, with a range of options to suit every budget. For more information on the schedule and to purchase tickets, visit the NJPAC website or contact their box office.
Join NJPAC for a month of unparalleled jazz performances and experience the magic of live music at the 13th Annual TD James Moody Jazz Festival.
Festival Hightlights
- Paquito D’ Rivera with New Jersey Symphony (Nov 7, 8 & 10)
- Tribute to Funk! with Bilal, Nona Hendryx, Christian McBride, Savion Glover, Vernon Reid, George Clinton, and More (Nov 14)
- NJMEA All-State Jazz Band + Choir (Nov 15)
- Tyshawn Sorey Trio featuring Aaron Diehl and Harish Raghavanand
- Sandbox Percussion (Nov 15)
- WBGO Children’s Concert with Davell Crawford (Nov 16)
- Madeleine Peyroux (Nov 16)
- Cindy Blackman Santana (Nov 17)
- Jazz Jams @ Clement’s Place (Nov 21)
- Bethany Baptist Jazz Vespers @ 25 Honoring Rev. M. William Howard, Jr. (Nov 21)
- John Pizzarelli & Catherine Russell: BILLIE & BLUE EYES (Nov 22)
- Dorado Schmitt and Sons: Django Festival All-Stars (Nov 23)
- Kronos Quartet (Nov 23)Philip Bailey, Lisa Fischer, Dianne Reeves and Christian McBride Big Band (Nov 23)
- Dorthaan’s Place: Brandee Younger Trio (Nov 24)
13th Annual Sarah Vaughan International Jazz Vocal Competition
The New Jersey Performing Arts Center (NJPAC) has announced details of its 13th annual TD James Moody Festival, opening November 7 through November 24. Presented at various locations throughout Newark, the 2024 Festival comprises a wide range of jazz-infused performances from the living legends of Funk (George Clinton, Vernon Reid, Nona Hendryx and more) and world-renowned interpreters of the Great American Songbook John Pizzarelli and Catherine Russell to Pulitzer Prize-winning percussionist Tyshawn Sorey and cross-genre classical ensembles including the New Jersey Symphony, Kronos Quartet, and Sandbox Percussion. In one of the most eagerly anticipated events of the 2024 Festival, NJPAC’s Jazz Advisor Christian McBride will lead his Big Band and a fierce lineup of vocalists: Earth, Wind & Fire’s Philip Bailey, Lisa Fischerand NEA Jazz Master Dianne Reeves. The Festival ends November 24th selecting the winner of the annual Sarah Vaughan International Jazz Vocal Competition. Complete Festival details can be found at NJPAC.org/jazz.
Festival Quotes
NJPAC President and CEO: “One thing about this year’s festival that’s especially gratifying is that we’re able to turn a spotlight on some dear friends of the Arts Center: Christian McBride, NJPAC’s Jazz Advisor, will preview his next album with an all-star concert; ultimate Jersey guy and longtime Arts Center stalwart John Pizzarelli will celebrate the music of Sinatra and Billie Holiday; and Tyshawn Sorey, one of the very first students of NJPAC’s Jazz for Teens arts training program, will come home to Newark—now a master percussionist, composer, MacArthur Fellow and Pulitzer Prize winner. We could not be more proud of his success, or more delighted to have him back here.”— John Schreiber
NJPAC Jazz Advisor and multiple GRAMMY Award-winning Bassist: “After 14 years of being Jazz Advisor here at NJPAC, it amazes me how each year this festival just gets better and bigger. I’m so excited about this year—the lineup is stacked! To bring together people like Vernon Reid, George Clinton and Dianne Reeves, and to get to play with my own big band? It’s a season of diamonds and pearls!”—Christian McBride
TD Bank Market President: “TD Bank has been an active supporter of the festival since it began 13 years ago, sponsoring free community performances and educational events, as well as mainstage concerts showcasing jazz superstars.We are very proud to continue our support of NJPAC and the TD James Moody Jazz Festival as they work to educate and empower through jazz. At TD, we believe music and the arts have a special way of inspiring positive change and connecting us across the diverse communities we share.”—Martin Melilli
Schedule and Tickets
THU 11.07- SUN 11.10: Paquito D’Rivera Quintet and with New Jersey Symphony
Paquito D’Rivera has won a combined 16 Grammy and Latin Grammy Awards (five Grammy and 11 Latin Grammys). He is celebrated both for his artistry in Latin jazz and his achievements as a classical composer. Born in Havana, Cuba, he performed at age 10 with the National Theater Orchestra, studied at the Havana Conservatory of Music, and at 17, became a featured soloist with the Cuban National Symphony. As a founding member of the Orquesta Cubana de Musica Moderna, he directed that group for two years, while at the same time playing both the clarinet and saxophone with the Cuban National Symphony Orchestra.
In this special trio of performances Nov 7, 8 and 10, he performs as a guest soloist, along with his phenomenal Quintet, with the New Jersey Symphony. D’Rivera puts his own signature jazzy swing on Mozart’s Clarinet Concerto, a medley of Gershwin’s unforgettable hits, and more.
Tix: $29-$45. Location: NJPAC’s Prudential Hall & May Performing Arts Center.
THU 11.14 @ 7:30 p.m. Tribute to Funk! with Bilal, Nona Hendryx, Christian McBride, Savion Glover, Vernon Reid, George Clinton and Ray Chew
It’s an unmissable night with the living legends of funk. Featuring appearances by:
Bilal, the GRAMMY-winning soul singer and songwriter. In addition to his award for “These Walls,” he was nominated for his songs “Little One” and “Matter,” and for his contributions to Kendrick Lamar’s To Pimp a Butterfly.
Nona Hendryx of Labelle, celebrating 50 years of the hit song “Lady Marmalade.” The pioneering songwriter, vocalist, activist and multimedia artist is still breaking boundaries with her ambitious fusion of technology, music, art and performance.
Christian McBride, the luminous 16x GRAMMY nominee and 8x winner who plays everything from Monk to Funk. Bassist, composer, bandleader and NJPAC Jazz Advisor.
Savion Glover, the TONY Award-winning tap dancer extraordinaire of Bring in ‘da Noise, Bring in ‘da Funk; The Tap Dance Kid; Jelly’s Last Jam and Shuffle Along. Tap legend Gregory Hines calls him “possibly the best tap dancer that ever lived.”
Vernon Reid, the GRAMMY-winning guitarist and founder of Living Colour. “His rampant eclecticism encompasses everything from heavy metal and punk to funk, R&B and avant-garde jazz, and his anarchic, lightning-fast solos have become something of a hallmark” (AllMusic).
George Clinton, the Godfather of Funk. The frontman of Parliament-Funkadelic is one of funk music’s foremost innovators, with a career spanning five decades, three dozen albums and sweeping musical influence.
With Music Director Ray Chew (Dancing with the Stars, Showtime at the Apollo, SNL).
Tix: $49-$89. Location: NJPAC’s Prudential Hall.
FRI 11.15 @ 7:00 p.m. NJMEA / All State Jazz Band and Choir
Catch the next generation of great jazz artists from New Jersey. This annual concert event, co-presented by NJPAC’s Arts Education Department and the New Jersey Music Educators Association, brings together some of the very best young musicians and vocalists from across the state for a dynamic group performance. Performers include NJMEA All-State Jazz Band and NJMEA All-State Jazz Choir.
$32. Location: NJPAC’s Chase Room.
FRI 11.15 @ 7:30 p.m. Tyshawn Sorey Trio featuring Aaron Diehl and Harish Raghavan and Sandbox Percussion East Coast premiere
2024 marks the Centennial of the birth of jazz pioneer Max Roach (1924-2007). His legacy and music are explored in this unique concert led by breakout percussionist Tyshawn Sorey. A MacArthur Fellow, Pulitzer Prize winner, composer, and multi-instrumentalist, Sorey grew up in Newark, New Jersey, and attended Newark Arts High School. As a teenager, he participated in NJPAC’s very own JAZZ FOR TEENS program. Coming full circle, this Nov 15th performance marks his NJPAC debut as a leader. He will lead his all-star Trio comprising pianist Aaron Diehland bassistHarish Raghavan, followed by the GRAMMY-nominated chamber percussion quartet Sandbox Percussion(Ian Rosenbaum, Jonny Allen, Terry Sweeneyand Victor Caccese).
The two groups will perform their own sets highlighting Roach’s impact across musical worlds. Then, they’ll join forces for the East Coast premiere of a new work co-commissioned by NJPAC, a through-composed multi-movement piece paying tribute to Roach’s groundbreaking M’Boom ensemble. Partial support for the development of this work provided by NJPAC with the approval of the Max Roach estate.
Tix: $65. Location: NJPAC’s Victoria Theater.
SAT 11.16 @ 1:00 p.m. WBGO Children’s Concert with Davell Crawford
The WBGO Kids Jazz Concert Series brings world-renowned jazz musicians to concert halls and venues throughout New York and New Jersey. This time it presents pianist and singer Davell Crawford. “The Prince of New Orleans” has become one of the true wonders of the Crescent City music scene. He tours the world, performing sold-out concerts, as a leading representative of American roots music, specifically New Orleans piano tradition. He has worked with Dr. John, Aaron Neville, Nona Hendrix, Roberta Flack and many other artists.
These concerts give young listeners the chance to discover the enjoyment of jazz, improvisation, and musical collaboration. With a relaxed, kid-friendly atmosphere, it’s the perfect way to introduce your child (or your whole family) to the art of jazz. The program is free and open to the public, but adults must be accompanied by at least one child.
Tix: Free. Advance reservation required. Location: Newark Symphony Hall.
SAT 11.16 @ 7:30 p.m. Madeleine Peyroux
Jazz fans will be delighted to experience Madeleine Peyroux live in this intimate performance. With her sweet-and-smoky voice, the beloved jazz vocalist breathes magic into timeless standards and self-penned originals. This program highlights a variety of songs from across Madeleine’s discography, a living testament to her artistic metamorphoses and the evolutions yet to come.
Tix: $59.50-$99. Location: NJPAC’s Victoria Theater.
SUN 11.17 @ 3:00 p.m. Cindy Blackman Santana NJPAC debut
Cindy Blackman Santana is a force of nature. A longtime drummer for Santana and Lenny Kravitz, she’s known for the sheer power of her soulful playing. She’s performed with dozens of artists including Pharoah Sanders, Cassandra Wilson, Bill Laswell, Joss Stone, Joe Henderson, Buckethead, Don Pullen, Hugh Masakela and Angela Bofill. And she leads her own projects, including Another Lifetime and The Cindy Blackman Santana Band. Her solo album Give the Drummer Some (2020) spans jazz, rock and funk, showcasing her versatility both behind the kit and in front of the microphone.
Tix: $69. Location: NJPAC’s Victoria Theater.
THU 11.21 @ 7:30 p.m. Jazz Jams Open Mic at Clement’s Place
Co-presented by NJPAC and Wayne Winborne, Executive Director of the Institute of Jazz Studies at Rutgers University-Newark, this marks the first in a series of Jazz Jam Sessions to be held during the 2024-25 school year. Held at Clement’s Place on the campus of Rutgers-Newark, this Open Mic series is curated and directed by pianist and bandleader James Austin, Jr. in consultation with the Jazz Advisory Committee of NJPAC’s Community Engagement Department.
Tix: Free. Location: Rutger University’s Clement’s Place.
THU 11.21 @ 7:30 p.m. Bethany Baptist Jazz Vespers @ 25 Honoring Rev. M. William Howard, Jr.
Celebrate 25 years of the Bethany Baptist Jazz Vespers Concert Series with music director and bandleader Nat Adderley Jr., jazz trumpeter and conductor Jon Faddis, jazz vocalist Vanessa Rubin and jazz/gospel singer Lizz Wright. Since 2000, Newark’s historic Bethany Baptist Church has hosted free concerts that combine jazz and worship. For this special event, Jazz Vespers heads to the NJPAC stage for a look back at 25 years of praiseworthy music. The program will also honor Rev. M. William Howard, Jr., who co-founded Jazz Vespers with Newark’s First Lady of Jazz, NEA Jazz Master Dorthaan Kirk (WGBO Radio). Ms. Kirk described Dr. Howard as “a No. 1 jazz fan” to The New York Times, saying: “That’s why he started” the now-famous series. Co-sponsored with Bethany Baptist Church Jazz Vespers.
Tix: $69. Location: NJPAC’s Victoria Theater.
FRI 11.22 @ 7:30 p.m. John Pizzarelli & Catherine Russell: BILLIE & BLUE EYES
Celebrating their NJPAC debut as a duo, GRAMMY Award-winning jazz vocalist Catherine Russell teams up with world-renowned jazz guitarist and singer John Pizzarelli in a stunning tribute to Billie Holiday and Frank Sinatra.BILLIE & BLUE EYES is musical journey featuring popular songs of Frank Sinatra and Billie Holiday. Dubbed “the essential duo,” they transport audiences to the glory days of jazz with masterful ease, capturing Holiday’s effortless grace and Sinatra’s cool swagger. Audiences will hear the music of Lady Day and Ol’ Blue Eyes like never before, with familiar favorites and surprising hidden gems.
Pizzarelli is one of our most celebrated interpreters of the Great American Songbook. He has been hailed by The Boston Globe for “reinvigorating the Great American Songbook and re-popularizing Jazz.” Russell has “a voice that wails like a horn and whispers like a snake in the garden of Eden” (NPR).
Tix: $69. Location: NJPAC’s Victoria Theater.
SAT 11.23 @ 6:00 p.m. + 8:30 p.m. Dorado Schmitt and Sons: Django Festival All-Stars
The Django Festival Allstars honor legendary Romani-French guitarist Django Reinhardt and his unique style of 1930s gypsy jazz, also known as “hot jazz.” The Django Festival Allstars have grown into a brilliantly cohesive group of star musicians who’ve taken America by storm, performing at top concert halls and festivals to standing ovations. Guitar, violin, double bass and accordion will get audience members’ hearts pumping with swinging rhythms, fiery solos and awe-inspiring technical prowess. It’s a family legacy for group leader Dorado Schmitt, who plays alongside talented sons Samson and Amati and cousins Francko Mehrstein and Gino Roman. “Sensational… Standout performance… Hardest swinging band at the Newport Jazz Festival” (DownBeat Magazine)
Tix: $49. Location: NJPAC’s Chase Room.
SAT 11.23 @ 8:00 p.m. Kronos Quartet
Two events took place during NJPAC’s inaugural season (1997-98) that boldly announced what the vision of this new arts center would be. The first, a performance by the boundary-pushing chamber group Kronos Quartet. The second, a tribute to gospel singer and activist Mahalia Jackson. Now, the Kronos Quartet returns to NJPAC to explore the inspiring voice of Mahalia Jackson, refracted through works by Nina Simone, John Coltrane, Terry Riley, Laurie Anderson, and more.
Mahalia Jackson was the voice of the civil rights movement. She sang her truth across the south: at Selma, the March on Washington and the funeral of Martin Luther King, Jr. She won the first-ever GRAMMY for gospel music, and was honored with a posthumous lifetime achievement award in 1972.
For 50 years, San Francisco’s Kronos Quartet has challenged and reimagined what a string quartet can be. Kronos has been at the forefront of revolutionizing chamber music into a living art form that responds to the people and issues of our time. This marks the NJPAC debut of the latest iteration of Kronos Quartet featuring its two newest members: violinist Gabriela Diaz and cellist Paul Wiancko.
Tix: $65-$85. Location: NJPAC’s Victoria Theater.
SAT 11.23 @ 8:00 p.m. Philip Bailey, Lisa Fischer, Dianne Reeves and Christian McBride Big Band
NJPAC Jazz Advisor Christian McBride (16x GRAMMY nominee and 8x winner) and his Big Band welcome a fierce lineup of vocalists: Philip Bailey(Earth, Wind & Fire), Lisa Fischer(background singer for Luther Vandross, The Rolling Stones, Chaka Khan and Tina Turner, whose journey was featured in the Oscar-winning documentary Twenty Feet from Stardom) and NEA Jazz Master Dianne Reeves. It’s a star-studded prelude to McBride’s forthcoming album (TBR Spring 2025), which combines big voices with big band.
Tix: $49-$89. Location: NJPAC’s Prudential Hall.
SUN 11.24 @ 11:30 a.m. + 1:30 p.m. Dorthaan’s Place: Brandee Younger Trio
NJPAC continues Dorthaan’s Place, its popular Sunday jazz brunch series at NICO Kitchen + Bar curated by Newark’s First Lady of Jazz, Dorthaan Kirk. The series made its debut during NJPAC’s 2012-13 season and has grown ever since. “The finest in jazz is on the menu… anticipation runs high at Dorthaan’s Place, whether you’re there for the music, the food, the scene, Dorthaan, or all of the above.” (All About Jazz)
This edition presents contemporary harpist Brandee Younger. A leading voice of the harp, Younger recently made history at the 2022 GRAMMY Awards as the first Black female solo artist nominated in the Best Instrumental Composition category for her song “Beautiful Is Black.” The mesmerizing track is from her 2021 critically well-received major label debut album, Somewhere Different, that also received a 2022 NAACP Image Award nomination for Outstanding Jazz Album – Instrumental. Over her career Younger has performed and recorded across countless genres with artists including John Legend, The Roots, Lauryn Hill, Common, Pharoah Sanders, Ravi Coltrane, Ron Carter, and Charlie Haden.
There are two brunch seatings: 11:00 a.m. (music begins at 11:30 a.m.) and 1:00 p.m. (music begins at 1:30 p.m.).
$29-$49 (does not include food/drink). Location: NJPAC’s NICO Kitchen + Bar.
Sun 11.24 @ 3:00 p.m. 13th Annual Sarah Vaughan International Jazz Vocal Competition
The divine Sarah Vaughan—Newark’s greatest musical gift to the world—got her start as the winner of a talent contest. NJPAC honors her legacy every year with the Sarah Vaughan International Jazz Vocal Competition, the only global jazz vocal contest of its kind, open to all genders and nationalities. This event offers outstanding jazz singers a one-of-a-kind platform for embarking on a career in the music business—and offers audience members a chance to discover the jazz stars of tomorrow. For this 13th annual “The SASSY Awards” event, WBGO Radio’s Sheila Anderson will host and 2022 SVVC winner Lucía Gutiérrez Rebolloso will perform. A panel of all-star judges—Dee Dee Bridgewater, Christian McBride, Madeleine Peyroux, Bill Charlap, Lisa Fischer, and Terri Lyne Carrington—will select the winner.
Gifted young contestants from around the world are evaluated on vocal quality, musicality, technique, performance, individuality, artistic interpretation, and ability to swing. The winner receives a $5,000 cash prize. Past winners include Samara Joy, Cyrille Aimée, Jazzmeia Horn, Quiana Lynell, Laurin Talese, and more. For more information or to enter the competition, visit SarahVaughanCompetition.com.
Tix: $39-$49. Location: NJPAC’s Victoria Theater. November 7, 2024
Multiple venues across New Jersey including NJPAC (One Center Street, Newark), Mayo Performing Arts Center (1000 South Street, Morristown), Newark Symphony Hall (1020 Broad Street, Newark), Rutger University Clement’s Place (15 Washington Street, Newark)
Free-$79. To purchase, contact NJPAC at 1.888.GO.NJPAC/1.888.466.5722 or visit NJPAC.org/jazz.
About NJPAC
New Jersey Performing Arts Center (NJPAC), located in downtown Newark, New Jersey, is among the largest performing arts centers in the United States. It is the artistic, cultural, educational and civic center of New Jersey — where great performances and events enhance and transform lives every day. As New Jersey’s anchor cultural institution, NJPAC brings diverse communities together, providing access to all and showcasing the State’s and the world’s best artists, while acting as a leading catalyst in the revitalization of its home city. Through its extensive Arts Education programs, NJPAC is shaping the next generation of artists and arts enthusiasts. NJPAC has attracted more than 11 million visitors (including more than two million children) since opening its doors in 1997, and nurtures meaningful and lasting relationships with each of its constituents. Visit www.njpac.org for more information.
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