Well as the awesome TD Moody Jazz festival came to a close with some fabulous weekend events, we say congratulations to the winner of  Sarah Vaughan International Competition 2023.

Tyreek McDole is the Sassy Award winner. However a competition of this high caliber means we are looking at some seriously great singers and look forward to seeing and hearing all of them on the circuit around our towns. Check them all out – https://www.njpac.org/sarah-vaughan-international-jazz-vocal-competition/

So what are you doing this holiday weekend. For live music, remember Clements Place is closed this week and on Thursday hopefully you are enjoying the holiday, but whether you’re flying solo or with loved ones, join us for an unforgettable post-Thanksgiving weekend experience.

Friday Nov 24, 2023

Join Us for a fantastic MPack Dine, Dance, and Sagittarius Celebration at the amazing Par 440!

An After Thanksgiving Sagittarius Celebration with MPACK Band at Par 440 Restaurant & Lounge. Get ready to dance the night away and party with MPack at the incredible Dine, Dance, and Sagittarius Celebration on November 24, 2023, at Par 440. Par 440 offers an exquisite bar area, a delightful dining space, and a spacious dance floor. Enjoy the convenience of numerous TV screens throughout the restaurant, ensuring you never miss a moment of what’s happening in the world. With plenty of free parking just steps from the entrance, you are guaranteed a good time. .

Indulge in a few drinks at the bar or treat yourself to a fantastic Sagittarius birthday dinner celebration with your friends and family. Either way, immerse yourself in the exhilarating live music and dance away that Thanksgiving indulgence to the electrifying tunes of one of the regions top Jazzy R&B bands. Join us for an incredible night of listening and grooving to the captivating sounds of the MPack Band – featuring the talents of Clarence, Patricia, Glenn, Brett, and Kim. It’s a music-filled extravaganza. Come on out as were ready to sing happy birthday just for you.

Located at 440 Parsonage Road, Short Hills, its easy to get to by car and just 8 minutes from the Morris-Essex Line Milburn Train Station. Free entry, no cover, and a guaranteed good time. Hope to see you we get started at 7:30 PM. 

Saturday Nov 25, 2023

Annual Giants of Jazz Returns to SOPAC

The Incredible Annual Giants of Jazz Returns to SOPAC on Saturday, November 25 at 8PM Join us for what has become a legendary event in South Orange, featuring the convergence of coun. tless Jazz greats in an unforgettable evening of music. Curated by Jazz legend and South Orange resident John Lee, this year SOPAC celebrates a titan of Jazz piano who The Los Angeles Times lauds as “one of the top Jazz pianists in the world,” Kenny Barron! The list of stellar musicians called upon to honor this legend reads like a who’s who of jazz. Giants in their own right, they come out and make it an unforgettable night of jazz.

Review the Artist Line-Up. Johnathan Blake, Bill Charlap, Cyrus Chestnut, Paquito D’Rivera, Steve Davis, Dezron Douglas, Essiet Okon Essiet, Roberta Gambarini, Mark Gross, Freddie Hendrix, Kiyoshi Kitagawa Jeb Patton, Renee Rosnes, Jon Regen, Rufus Reid, Evan Sherman, Terell Stafford, Erena Terakubo, Diego Urcola, Jeff “Tain” Watts, Lenny White, David Wong and there is always a surprise.

And for more about Kenny Barron: . Thank you New Jersey Jazz Society (NJJS) for his wonderful & informative article. Read it. https://njjs.org/

Located at 1 SOPAC Way, South Orange NJ , its easily accessible by car and just 3 minutes walk from the Morris-Essex Line South Orange Train Station. A Jazz lovers delight and tickets sopacnow.org are going fast, guaranteed good time., we get started at 8:00 PM. 

And in Jersey City Fri and Sunday Nov 25, 2023

Moore’s Lounge Jazz and Jam

Friday – 8 – 11 PM Featured Guest Noviello/Vocals — Musicians Welcome

Adam Z

Winard hosts the open jazz sessions at Moore’s Lounge on Friday – Jam session opens after the first set; no cover.

Sunday – 8 – 11 PM Open Jam – Winard Harper – Special Guest Artist

Winard Harper will host the jazz jam session at Moore’s Lounge on Sunday November 26th with special guest TBD

And in Union Sunday Nov 25, 2023

Courtney Sappington Trio at Van Gogh’s Ear Cafe & Restaurant

Courtney Sappington Trio – Featuring: Dave Kingsnorth on bass, Gordon Kuba on drums and Courtney Sappington on guitar at Van Gogh’s Ear Cafe & Restaurant, 1017 Stuyvesant Ave, Union, NJ Sunday, November 26 7:30 – 10:30 PM $5 cover. Van Gogh’s Ear serves food, desserts, extensive coffee & tea offerings. and Yes, BYO alcohol!

Courtney Sappington is a guitar player with a real passion for music of all kinds. His professional playing has focused on jazz, blues, and R&B. He has had the great fortune to play with many amazing musicians, some of the famous and some of the best-kept secrets. He toured extensively both in the U.S and internationally with Bobby Womack, Alphonse Mouzon, Ben E. King, and Petula Clark, among others. During his years touring with Bobby Womack, Courtney shared the stage with such iconic artists as Patti LaBelle, Stevie Wonder, Wilton Felder, Paul Young, Ronnie Wood, Aretha Franklin, Sly Stone, and Chaka Khan. He also had the opportunity to play with the great jazz organist Charles Earland in the Charles Earland Trio. Courtney’s Broadway work includes “Smokey Joe’s Cafe”, “Footloose”, “Swing”, “Saturday Night Fever”, “Good Vibrations”, and “Hairspray”.

Courtney will lead a trio of some of NY/NJ’s finest musicians (guitar, bass, drums). Their repertoire includes jazz standards, blues, and more.

Hope to see you AROUND TOWN.