Clement’s Place, 15 Washington St, Newark, NJ, 07102

Experience the sheer talent and infectious energy of our incredible singers at Clements Place! These dynamic performers have graced stages across the globe, from New Jersey to South America and more. Tonight, they are eager to share their extraordinary gifts with you. Get ready to groove as our killer house band keeps you swinging all night. Join us for an unforgettable evening of live music and celebration that will leave you wanting more.

Read on to learn more about this upcoming event, our stellar house band and join us at our next Clements Place Singers Showcase. Signup here. 

Singers – Singers Showcase

Manuela Zapata

Manuela Zapata Arbeláez – the Singer, with an impressive repertoire encompassing Jazz, Latin, and Portuguese music, is ready to take the NJ and NY live music scene by storm. Originally from Cartago, Columbia, Manuela has exhibited her musical prowess at various venues and festivals across her home country. Manuela has performed three years in a row at the national and international festival “familias que cantan”, also at the Festival “Pedro Morales Pino” Parque arte in Cartago Universidad tecnológica de Pereira Rayo Museum and the La fiesta de la música at Pereira Festival de la neblina at Versalles along with other local venues in and around Columbia, South America such as Mercado El Virrey.

Manuela’s music career has taken flight and she has journeyed to America, where she has captivated audiences at top venues across the greater New York, New Jersey area such as Paramus NJ Eddie’s V Prime Seafood, Brightside Tavern and Jersey City’s Moore’s Lounge jazz jam run by renowned drummer Winard Harper. More recently her talent has propelled her to perform at even more renowned locations like the widely popular Clements Place Jazz, run by the prestigious Rutgers Institute of Jazz Studies’. Her multi talented skills and her internal motivation to strive for the best will make Manuela’s star shine brighter than ever as a serious vocalist on the Greater New York and New Jersey live music scene.

Laurie Vega

I am a classically trained vocalist who hails from the sizzling streets of Spanish Harlem in New York City. Born in 1964, I was raised in a culturally and musically rich Puerto Rican household. At any given moment, the sounds of Ella Fitzgerald, Tito Puente, Louis Armstrong, Celia Cruz or Frank Sinatra could be heard swooning from my family’s 2nd floor tenement apartment. Music was in my blood from day one.

I graduated from the famed High School of Music & Art and majored in voice, and then continued my formal music training at SUNY/New Paltz.

After graduating from SUNY/New Paltz, I lived in the east village in New York City and performed throughout the village with an original blues/rock/R&B band where I was the lead vocalist as well as the percussionist, often filling in for the drummer who doubled as a sax player. The band performed at such venues as CBGB, the Village Gate, Speakeasy’s, The Bitter End, the Continental Divide, and many other local joints that featured live music. As the years passed and members moved on, I ventured out on my own and frequented a big band joint called the Red Blazer located on New York’s famous Restaurant Row. There, I would sit in on open mic nights and sing the limited jazz standards tunes that were in my repertoire at the time. But when I realized that my big voice and sassy stage presence would garner great applause and requests for more… I knew this was the right path. JAZZ. My repertoire grew quickly, and I would soon become a “name” in an unlikely town: Orlando, Florida.

I moved back to NYC in 2004 and continued my jazz/R&B performances throughout NYC and NJ. I am actually celebrating 18 years at my favorite venue, “Don’t Tell Mama’s Cabaret” located on west 46th St in NYC, where I have performed with such notable players as Etienne Lytle, Chuck Mymit, Barry Levitt, Adan Perez, Jotan Afanador, Anthony G. Evans, Tracy Stark. And across the river I perform at Shanghai Jazz in Madison NJ, The Madison Community House, The Boonton Coffee House, Van Gogh’s Ear Café, Clement’s in Newark, Moore’s in Jersey City, singing with giants James Austin, Glenn Merritt, Leonieke Scheuble, Alex Saunders and Steve Ash.

Virginia Hammer

Virginia Hammer trained at Central School, London and NYU. She produced and directed seven plays and a film (shown at the Newark Museum) as Artistic Director of Mid Atlantic Theatre Co. from 2010 to 2020 here in Newark.  British credits include “Aspects of Love” (West End) and regional theater in Scotland, and York, England..  In the USA, she has appeared with the Alaska Rep., Tri-State Rep, many O-O-B’way venues and the Philadelphia Fringe and done v/o’s for many Philly industries.  She was also the singer and keyboardist for a Philly-based Irish band, Skibdereen, from 2000 to 2010.

House Band – Singer Showcase

James Austin Jr

The soulful stylings of James Austin Jr., reveal his jazz pedigree and gospel roots. James, originally from Chicago, is an accomplished pianist and bandleader. He honed his craft under the tutelage of a number of legendary musicians, including extensive study with renowned jazz educator, Barry Harris. In recognition of his highly skilled musicianship, James has received numerous accolades and awards, including the honor of being selected as a semi-finalist in the prestigious Thelonious Monk International Jazz Piano competition.

James has performed alongside an illustrious list of singers and musicians in diverse settings throughout the world, including numerous celebrity functions and televised shows. He recently served as pianist and arranger for two star-studded concerts at Carnegie Hall under the baton of esteemed musical director, Ray Chew. James is regularly featured in the New York City area as a pianist and bandleader for various live concerts, theatrical performances, and civic and charitable events. He has curated and led the NJPAC Jazz Jam series since its inception.

For the past couple of years, he has also served as musical director for jazz phenom Miss Alexis Morrast. Songs in the Key of Wonder, James’ debut album, showcases his tasteful instrumental arrangements of a selection of classic compositions from the songbook of the great Stevie Wonder. James regards Stevie Wonder as one of the greatest composers of our time. Others have covered Stevie’s songs, however, James’ arrangements have a particularly appealing flavor and infectious groove.

Jeremy Warren

Jeremy Warren, born and raised in North Little Rock, AR was heavily exposed to music growing up.  His mother is an organist/pianist where she played at his grandfather’s and now currently his father’s church in Little Rock & North Little Rock, AR.  Upon graduating from high school in 2003, he received a full jazz scholarship to The University of Memphis in Memphis, TN.  He received dual Bachelor Degrees in Jazz Studies and Music Education with license in May 2012.  Memphis is where he credits his musical growth as a musician performing with many local/national artists as well as leading his own band whom performed every Saturday night on the famous Beale St. for two years.  Jeremy received his Master’s Degree in Music from New York University in May 2015.  While juggling a busy performance schedule, Warren teaches music at KIPP-NJ at Rise Academy.  He holds the drum chair for world renown saxophonist Don Braden and the Don Braden Quartet.  Jeremy can be heard on Braden’s highly acclaimed album “Earth, Wind, & Wonder.” In 2016, Jeremy released his debut album with his band JD Warren & The Rudiment which he co-leads with his wife Dermel Warren, titled “I Can Do All Things.”  The album was named #85 on the Top 100 Jazz Albums for 2016 on the Roots Music Charts for radio play.  Warren has also performed and/or recorded with artists such as GZA-Wu-Tang, Deanna Martin (Daughter of Dean Martin), Andy Milne, Lenny Pickett, John Scofield, Tom Scott, NYU Combo Nuvo, and many more.  Jeremy plays Soul Tone Cymbals.

Ian Kenselaar

Bassist Ian Kenselaar is a proud New Jerseyan. He began studying music at age 11 in 2004. Mentor James Buchanan introduced Ian to a jazz program at NJPAC in Newark, directed by tenor saxophonist Don Braden. Jazz House Kids — a community arts organization lead by bassist Christian McBride and Melissa Walker — was another important institution in Ian’s early education. There, Ian formed his first deep connections and began a lifelong journey into this music.

Ian went on to study at Mason Gross School of the Arts at Rutgers University, with bassist Kenny Davis, drummer Victor Lewis, and altoist Mark Gross. In 2014 Ian moved to Jersey City to be closer with master drummer and bandleader Winard Harper, who would become another source of great inspiration. Harper hosts a twice weekly jam session and interview series at Moore’s Lounge in JC where young musicians could cut their teeth and learn real lessons on the bandstand from more seasoned players. Some of the guest artists Ian got to play with here include drummer Billy Hart, and tenorman Stacy Dillard, and pianist Norman Simmons. In 2017 Harper selected Ian to be one of twelve national recipients of the Ravinia Steans Music Institute Fellowship in Illinois where he spent time studying composition with bassist Rufus Reid, pianist Billy Childs, and tenor saxophonist Nathan Davis.

Over the past two years, Ian has also worked with the Princeton University jazz program, under the direction of Rudresh Mahanthappa with ensembles lead by guest artist Danilo Perez and vocalist Jay Clayton. Currently, Ian is working with tenor saxophonist JD Allen and is proud to be presented on his forthcoming album. Ian looks forward to a busy itinerary and will be working hard and taking no prisoners!

Clements Place Jazz Singer Showcase

Don’t miss this upcoming session featuring these talented singers and a stellar house band, all hosted by Rutgers IJS and Gregory Burrus Productions. This one-of-a-kind event is a must-see, where you can experience extraordinary local talent firsthand. With each session offering something unique, be sure to cheer on your favorite singer or show support for the entire lineup.

Mark your calendar now to ensure you don’t miss any of these extraordinary singers showcase evenings, filled with incredible vocalists and exceptional jazz performances.

Come experience a relaxing and enjoyable Singers Showcase evening at the Rutgers Institute of Jazz Studies’. . Join us at Clements Place Jazz and indulge in the ultimate jazz experience.

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