(MONTCLAIR, NJ) -- Montclair Art Museum’s highly-anticipated 4th Annual Art Meets Jazz concert is going virtual on March 11th from 7:00pm to 9:00pm. The event will feature rising star jazz pianist and composer, Isaiah J. Thompson. As a young artist on the verge of international stardom, Thompson is poised to engage the world of jazz. A graduate of Julliard with roots in West Orange, Thompson developed his early talent for jazz at NJPAC Jazz for Teens and the Montclair based, Jazz House Kids.

Thompson received the 2018 Lincoln Center Emerging Artist Award and has performed with many jazz legends, including former Art Meets Jazz performer Steve Turre, Christian McBride, John Pizzarelli, and Buster Williams. He is an devoted advocate for diversity in his field and community. Newark’s First Lady of Jazz, Dorthaan Kirk will introduce Thompson and friends for this extraordinary evening at MAM. 

Johnathan Lee, member of AACC states “Isaiah J. Thompson is as special as they come – an amazing young pianist with undeniable talent, who also represents the very best of a jazz education and homegrown talent. He is truly an emerging star who stands on the shoulders of jazz legends, and we are pleased to provide a platform as Isaiah takes jazz to a new age; there are no limits for him.”

The event is free for all with an online RSVP.  You can make a reservation and learn more about the event here. Text-to-give donations will be accepted during the program to support MAM’s arts education and accessible programs for all.  

Interim Director of MAM, Ira Wagner states “For over 40 years, MAM has been partnering with the African Cultural Committee in offering the community a broad range of stimulating programs, concerts, films and speaker events.  We are thrilled to make this event available through our virtual platform so that an expanded audience can hear the amazing talent of our featured performer.”

MAM’s special events are critical in the support of our exhibitions, the Vance Wall Art Education Center, and engaging diverse audiences across the region. The Museum is proud to present Art Meets Jazz in partnership with MAM’s African American Cultural Committee.

The Montclair Art Museum (MAM) is located at 3 South Maintain Avenue in Montclair, New Jersey.  The museum boasts a renowned collection of American and Native American art that uniquely highlights art-making in the United States over the last 300 years. Works in MAM's Native American art collection span the period of ca. 1200 C.E. to the present day. The Vance Wall Art Education Center encompasses the Museum’s educational efforts, including award-winning Yard School of Art studio classes, lectures and talks, family events, tours, and the mobile MAM Art Truck. MAM exhibitions and programs serve a wide public of all ages, from families and seniors to artists, educators, and scholars.

All Museum programs are made possible, in part, by the New Jersey State Council on the Arts/Department of State, a Partner Agency of the National Endowment for the Arts, and by funds from the National Endowment for the Arts, Carol and Terry Wall / The Vance Wall Foundation, the Geraldine R. Dodge Foundation, and Museum members.