Gregory Burrus Productions is extremely proud to produce the James Moody Jazz Scholars Celebration for The James Moody Jazz Scholarship for New Jersey. This event is for the Jazz Scholarship recipients that have been presented this award since 2015. This event is also supported by the Patterson Foundation / Blanchard Conservatory and will be hosted at their beautiful, historic Blanchard Mansion in South Orange, NJ.

You are invited to the James Moody Jazz Scholars Celebration on Nov 17, 2021 6-9 PM. This event will have limited seating and access will be provided via Facebook / Eventbrite Registration only. Please join us.

About Saxophonist James Moody

(Bottom) Dizzy Gilespie, Hank Jones, Benny Carter, (top) John Lee, Charlie Fishman, Paquito D’Rivera, James Moody, and Arturo Sandoval. From johnleebass – Dizzy Gillespie’s dinner the night before he received the Kennedy Center Honors.  Great dinner with fascinating stories. 

Saxophonist, Flutist, Vocalist, Educator James Moody was awarded the distinction of being an NEA Jazz Master in 1998 from the National Endowment for the Arts. The National Endowment for the Arts Jazz Masters Fellowships are the self-proclaimed highest honors that the United States bestows upon jazz musicians. In the jazz world, It just doesn’t get better than that. Learn more: Wikipedia NEA JazzTimes James Moody.

James Moody Jazz Scholarship for New Jersey

James Moody Jazz Scholarship for New Jersey is an award that honors the life of Newark native and saxophone giant James Moody. The James Moody Jazz Scholarship for New Jersey is an award presented by Linda Moody that is offered annually to an outstanding high school senior. The recipient embodies the qualities expressed by the NEA Jazz Master throughout his life and works—musicianship, creativity, leadership and community involvement.

James Moody Jazz Scholars

In its 7th year, the winners of the James Moody Jazz Scholarship for New Jersey recipients will consist of the James Moody Jazz Scholars led by bandleader Birsa Chatterjee . Past winners are:

• 2015 Birsa Chatterjee 
• 2016 Iyonna Herbert 
• 2017 Andrew Wagner 
• 2018 Caelan Cardello
• 2019 Jalin Shiver 
• 2020 Rayner Perez
• 2021 Paul Reinhold 

Jazz Scholars Band

The band will come together performing a number of standards and some originals.

Birsa Chatterjee – Tenor Saxophone, Iyonna Herbert – Drums, Andrew Wagner – Trumpet, Caelan Cardello – Piano, Jalin Shiver – Alto Saxophone, Rayner Perez – Trombone, joining us in Paul Reinhold’s absence will be Gervin Myles on Bass

Jazz Scholars Jazzy Nights Agenda

6:00 – 6:15 PM Opening Remarks

6:15 – 6:45 PM The Jazzy nights activities will be comprised of standards and originals performed by the musicians

6:45 – 7:30 Presenters and Invited Speakers

7:30 – 9:00 Jazz Scholars band continues. During this set an invited set of local Jazz vocalists from the community will perform with the Jazz Scholars band.

Invited Speakers / Special Guests

• Linda Moody – James Moody Jazz Scholarship for New Jersey- the steward of the James Moody legacy who recognizes the importance of music education through financial assistance who is in town for the James Moody Jazz Festival.
  
• Wayne Winborne – ED of Institute of Jazz Studies Rutgers Newark-  – Executive Director of Rutgers Institute of Jazz Studies the world’s foremost jazz archive and research facility with a mission to engage the broader jazz community.
  
• John Lee – Jazz Legacy Productions & The Dizzy Gillespie Big Band – John Lee – Formerly Dizzy Gillespie’s, McCoy Tyner’s bassist, Grammy winning record producer and audio engineer, produced over 60 albums and over 100 albums and CDs.John has worked with Joe Henderson, Lonnie Liston Smith, Norman Connors and bassist for Larry Coryell’s 11th House. Recently Profiled in SOMA Matters Magazine From Dizzy Gillespie to Aretha Franklin.
  
• Dorthaan Kirk – 2020 NEA Jazz Masters Fellowship for Jazz Advocacy – a major force at WBGO Jazz 88.3 FM, Newark Public Radio—Known as “Newark’s First Lady of Jazz,”

Supporters

Jazz House Kid

Jazz House Kids Presenters of the James Moody Jazz Scholarship for New Jersey Award since 2015, is the only community arts organization in New Jersey exclusively dedicated to educating children through jazz: America’s home-grown art form.  JAZZ HOUSE KiDS participates in over 80 community performances a year and each summer produce the Montclair Jazz Festival, which is free and open to the public.

Venue/Location The Blanchard House

The Blanchard Mansion – 100 Blanchard Rd, South Orange, NJ 07079 – A 1920’s Georgian Mansion in South Orange that transports visitors right back to the Gilded Age. The home draws inspiration in its design from the style of the Gilded Age Mansions of Newport, Rhode Island, perhaps the most famous one being The Breakers. At 11,000 square feet the house features an ostentatious custom wood appointed ballroom with coffered ceilings and New York City skyline views, accessed via a grand foyer lined with Corinthian columns. Situated on two acres of English style lush garden landscaping, with walking paths throughout, the land offers residents opportunities for quiet reflection and meditation.

Time To Join Us!

JAMES MOODY JAZZ SCHOLARS convene on Wednesday, November 17, 6 to 9 p.m. at the beautiful Blanchard House, 100 Blanchard Road in South Orange, N.J. Scholarship winners from
the past 6 years will be featured. The event is free but donations are gladly accepted. There are a few seats left if you register now!

For additional info contact Gregory Burrus Productions at:
burrusgregory4techoss@gmail.com

Register here: https://bit.ly/3ENZAED

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Gregory Burrus Productions

Gregory Burrus is a local live music ambassador, event planner and community partner that curates, manages and promotes live music events in the local SOMA/MAPSO (South Orange, Maplewood) community, Northern NJ and New York Area. Gregory Burrus currently writes as the South Orange Patch Mayor, the statewide JerseyIndie website and on Gregory Burrus Productions.

Patterson Foundation / Blanchard Conservatory

The Patterson Foundation strengthens the efforts of people, organizations, and communities by focusing on issues that address mutual aspirations, foster wide participation, and encourage learning and sharing. The Patterson Foundation’s staff and consultants are ready to provide an engaging presentation about the foundation and its initiatives

This event will have limited seating and access will be provided via Facebook / Eventbrite Registration only. Please join us.