Jazz music provided the soundtrack that drove the Harlem Renaissance, and Harlem World Magazine’s partnership event “Harlem World” brought music reminiscent of that era.

Wednesday, October 30, 2024, Harlem World Magazine (HWM) partnered with Gregory Burrus Productions in Newark for the inaugural “Harlem Nights”. Live music ambassador Gregory Burrus and Harlem World Magazine President CC Minton hosted this swank social gathering at Clement’s Place at 15 Washington Street, Newark, NJ. This event was also sponsored and supported by by NJPACS Community Engagement’s AVP Eyesha Marable and Rutgers Institute of Jazz Studies ED Wayne Winborne.

Closing Out a Rousing Performance – The Lee Odom Trio

Dancing to the Lee Odom Trio – This intimate jazz lounge is tucked inside the Ruth Bader Ginsburg Hall of Rutgers University – Newark and is truly a jazz listening room providing the perfect setting for a sweet montage of classic and contemporary tunes performed by saxophonist Lee Odom, accompanied by her jazz trio, The band featured Lee Odom on horns, Tetsuya Itsu on bass guitar, Tim Ford on drums, and Mala Waldron on piano.

Lynette Sheard Interviews Harlemite Musician Lee Odom

The evening began with accomplished vocalist and The Mental Health Association of NJ mental health expert Lynette Sheard, who interviewed the Harlem Jazz aficionado Lee Odom. The multi-instrumentalist spoke modestly about her performances abroad and her passion for the clarinet, trumpet, saxophone, oboe, and other instruments. Then, Lee took to the stage, jamming with her band, playing music so sweet that crowd members became totally engrossed within the music,

HWM’s Eartha Watts-Hicks Interview’s Harlem Nights Honoree Michal Gray

After a very interactive and engaging break amongst attendees, Harlem World Magazine’s President CC Minton took the stage to kickoff the ceremony to honor Michael K. Gray. Michael a long-time resident of Newark and Senior Advisor to the United States Senator George Helmy. He was honored for his outstanding work in the community and serving the city of Newark for over 20 years. After the award ceremony, Harlem World Magazine’s Executive Editor Eartha Watts Hicks sat with Mr. Michael K. Gray to discuss his journey before migrating to the United States. They discussed the defining moment that forever changed his life. Gray shared about his out-of-body experience as a teen in his homeland of what was then war-torn Liberia, West Africa. He recalled facing the barrel of a rebel’s AK47.

While his uncle begged to negotiate for his life, Gray understood he would serve a greater purpose. Surviving that encounter solidified values that set Michael K. Gray on lifelong path of helping others. It was moment that prepared him to work with integrity and eventually align with the best of his mentors, the late state representative Donald M. Payne, Jr.

Michael K. Gray has received numerous awards for his accomplishments, including the Human Rights Awards from the Newark Branch of the NAACP and the Danny Glover Power of a Dream Award.

After a very informative and engaging interview, Lee Odom and her band took the stage again and closed out the evening with house rousing standards of Grover Washington’s “Mr. Magic” and a breakout performance of Billie Holiday’s “God Bless the Child,” as sung by jazz pianist Mala Waldron. The music was swinging hard, the vibe was alive and kicking and of course folks had to get up and dance the evening away.

To commemorate the launch of our  Harlem World Magazine’s “Harlem Nights” Across the Hudson event, attendees enjoyed free refreshments courtesy of Rutgers IJS, along with Harlem World Magazine supplied red and white cupcakes and a beautiful Harlem World Magazine Cake. Also supporting he event, Kool and the Gang, the R&B/Funk band recently inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame, gifted Harlem World Magazine a pink bottle of Le Kool Champagne signed by DJ ‘Prince’ Hakim, son of Robert Bell, the band’s last surviving member.

The inaugural HWM “Harlem Nights” event was a huge success, with the band receiving great feedback from the audience who demanded more. This sets the stage for making “Harlem Nights” an annual tradition.

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ABOUT

CC Minton is the President of Harlem World Magazine: an award-winning lifestyle maven, author, and New York City conversationalist.  Harlem World Magazine is the premier lifestyle brand representing all things Harlem. https://www.ccminton.com/

Eyesha K. Marable and is a trained dancer, Pastor at Mt. Zion AME Church in Millburn and is New Jersey Performing Arts Center (NJPAC) AVP of Community Engagement. NJPAC is one of the few performing arts centers in the country with an entire department dedicated to reaching out, building connections and just plain having fun with our neighbors in their own backyards. https://www.njpac.org/about/community-engagement/

Gregory Burrus is a local live music producer, promoter, event planner, and community partner. Gregory Burrus combines his extensive corporate business and technology expertise with his love of live music and and produces live music events around the community. Gregory is on a creative mission of keeping the music alive. http://gregoryburrusproductions.com

Wayne Winborne (not pictured above) is Executive Director of The Institute of Jazz Studies (IJS) at Rutgers University–Newark which is the world’s largest and most comprehensive library and archive of jazz and jazz-related materials. Clement’s Place is a jazz lounge that is part of Rutgers University–Newark’s (IJS) and is located in the Ruth Bader Ginsburg Hall.   https://acm.newark.rutgers.edu/acm_faculty/wayne-winborne/

Eartha Watts Hicks is Harlem World Magazine’s Executive Editor and contributing Book Editor. She is the award-winning author of Love Changes, a member of the Harlem Writers Guild, and a NYCHA/NAACP ambassador for literacy. For more information, visit www.linktr.ee/Earthatone.

Photo credit: Eartha Watts Hicks.- Albert Clarke @alclarke_photography/