(JERSEY CITY, NJ) -- Riverview Jazz has been bringing all varieties of jazz music to the residents of Jersey City and Hudson County for well over ten years. This year's Jersey City Jazz Festival is not only expected to be the largest event ever, featuring 40 performances over 5 days with upwards of 20,000 patrons expected, but it is the most musically diverse to date.
The 11th Annual Jersey City Jazz Festival kicks off its annual city-wide party on Wednesday, May 29, 2024 and keeps the music blaring until late Sunday, June 2, 2024. The Festival, presented by Exchange Place Alliance, will be held at various venues throughout the city on the weeknights and culminate in a two-day, three stage party at the recently renovated Exchange Place Pedestrian Plaza on the Hudson River waterfront. The Festival will kick off with a free-to-the-public opening party at the Canopy Hotel on Wednesday, May 29th at 6:00pm.
Saxophone fans won't want to miss the 89-year old legend and Miles Davis-alum George Coleman (6/2), the super swinging Jerry Weldon with vocalist Joy Brown (Brennan Courthouse 5/30, Andrew Wagner & Alex De Lazzari Group open), and the avant-garde stalwart Tim Berne (Pet Shop 5/30). The event features no shortage of master drummers as well. One of the most in-demand drummers of today Johnathan Blake will present his band Trion featuring Donny McCaslin and Boris Kozlov with the talented young drummer Mecadon McCune's band opening (Nimbus 5/31).
NEA Jazz Master Billy Hart will be playing drums with both Trio HGH (John Hébert, George Garzone, Hart - 6/1) and the great pianist Dave Kikoski (6/1). Jerome Jennings will bring his band "ill Philosophy" to The Statuary (5/31), and Jersey City Jazz Festival favorite Winard Harper will be back with his Jeli Posse for another unforgettable performance (6/1). In addition to Kikoski, a slate of inventive pianists will hold court - Philly-native Orrin Evans and his Trio (6/1), Zacchai Curtis (Curtis Brothers 6/2), Alon Nechustan (6/2), Nick Masters (Exalted at Departed Soles 5/31), and the swinging vocalist and pianist Champian Fulton (6/1).
For vocal jazz lovers, the 2023 Sarah Vaughnn competition winner Tyreek McDole will host the Hyatt House jam session (6/1), the WBGO on-air personality and incomparable singer Lezlie Harrison will perform with the Riverview Jazz All-Stars (6/1), the soulful Brianna Thomas fronts her funky band (6/2), and the swinging songstress Kate Curran will perform a special jazz brunch with guitarist Ron Affif (Hyatt House 6/2).
Fans of Latin Jazz and Salsa will be thrilled to see the Tito Puente alum band Mambo Legends Orchestra (6/1), the young energetic Salsa outfit La Excelencia (6/2), trumpeter Rachel Therrien's Latin Jazz Project (6/1), and Spanish Harlem Orchestra trombonist Juanga Lakunza's Quintet (6/2). Other eclectic ensembles include the ever-exploring Brazilian percussionist Cyro Baptista's Chama (6/2), the hot-blooded percussion and mighty brass of Nation Beat (6/1), the electro-funk soul duo Paris Monster (6/1), the marching brass band The Honk Family Band (6/2), harmonica virtuoso Yvonnick Prené, and the jazz big band Lance Bryant's Shout (6/1).
There will be plenty of jam sessions for players looking to ply their wares - Ian Kenselaar Jam session (Cafe Corretto 5/29), the Jersey City jazz institution Moore's Place (5/31), Hyatt House jam with Tyreek McDole (6/1), and the official afterparty hosted by Winard Harper & friends (Moore's Place 6/2). Young musicians will also take a front seat as the United Children's Music Project Latin ensemble (6/1) and the NJCU Jazz combo (6/2) will both perform.
"Eleven years! Wow", says Festival director Bryan Beninghove. "We're in a really good place right now. A permanent home in a beautiful plaza on the water, a number of great festival partners, and an active community audience. This year we have some truly incredible diverse music acts, a number that I personally can't wait to see myself."
"We are proud to support Jersey City's diverse range of talented artists, and we are excited to welcome back the annual Jersey City Jazz Festival, which has deservedly grown in crowds and captivating performances year after year," says Jersey City Mayor Steven Fulop. "The five-day festival not only offers the opportunity to hear great music but also immerses attendees in the vibrant spirit of Jersey City's community."
A large majority of the programming will be free-to-the-public, with exception to some of the weeknight club performances and the Ford's Gin Row tented stage ($20/day advance) at the weekend event. For only $85 (in advance) you can purchase a Prestige pass (presented by the Bergen Lafayette Collection) which will allow weekend access to the Gin Row, a VIP tent w/ private bar & executive bathrooms, discounts to weeknight shows, and a swag bag including the 2024commemorative tee and tote.
This year's event is presented by Exchange Place Alliance. Other community and corporate partners include the City of Jersey City, RWJ Barnabas Health, The Bergen Lafayette Collection, the Jersey City Free Public Library, WBGO, NJ PBS, Bike JC, Fifteen, Hyatt House, Canopy, Corcoran Sawyer Smith, and many more. Participating venues include the Canopy Hotel, Nimbus Arts Center, the Brennan Courthouse, Cafe Corretto, Moore's Place, The Statuary, Departed Soles Brewery, Pet Shop, the Archer, Skinners Loft, and Rooftop at the Hyatt House.
"We are so pleased to support and provide a home for the amazing Jersey City Jazz Festival in the newly renovated Exchange Place Plaza," said Elizabeth Cain, spokesperson for the Exchange Place Alliance. "We happily welcome Jersey City residents, their friends and jazz fans from everywhere to enjoy the totally reimagined plaza."
Bike JC has partnered with Riverview Jazz for the Jersey City Ward Tour. The annual event, in its 13th year, will begin at Exchange Place the morning of Sunday, June 2nd and end at the Jersey City Jazz Festival. The 15-mile bike ride draws 3,000 riders and is the largest such event in New Jersey.
The festival is open for all-ages and will provide food trucks, artisan vendors, bars, VIP areas, and an RWJ Barnabas Community Zone that will feature family-friendly activities throughout the weekend. Tickets, Prestige Passes, information on directions, parking, volunteering, and links to the artists, can all be found at www.JerseyCityJazzFestival.com.
Riverview Jazz is a Jersey City-based 501(c)(3) non-profit and is supported in part by public funds from the Jersey City Arts and Culture Trust Fund and the Hudson County LAP grant.
Jersey City Jazz Festival Schedule
Wednesday May 29
JCJF Opening Party - Canopy Hotel 6:00pm-9:00pm, Free w/ reservation. 159 Morgan St, Jersey City, NJ 07302
Ian Kenselaar Jam Session - Cafe Corretto 9:00pm, $10. 123 Newark Avenue, Jersey City, NJ 07302
Thursday May 30
Jerry Weldon Quartet w/ Joy Brown, Andrew Wagner & Alex De Lazzari Group - Brennan Courthouse 7:00pm, $25. 583 Newark Avenue, Jersey City, NJ 07306
Milkman & Sons - The Archer 7:00pm, Free. 176 Newark Avenue, Jersey City, NJ 07302
Hot String Alliance - Skinners Loft 7:00pm, Free. 146 Newark Avenue, Jersey City, NJ 07302
Tim Berne Quartet - Pet Shop 9:00pm, $20/25. 146 Newark Avenue, Jersey City, NJ 07302
Friday May 31
Happy Hour with Nobuki Takamen Trio - Canopy Hotel 5:00pm, Free. 159 Morgan St, Jersey City, NJ 07302
Johnathan Blake Trion, Mecadon McCune Band - Nimbus Arts Center 7:00pm, $40/45. 329 Warren Street, Jersey City 07302
Jerome Jennings & ill Philosophy - The Statuary 7:00pm, Suggested Donation. 53 Congress Street, Jersey City, NJ 07307
Moore's Place: Jam Session 7:00pm Free. 189 Monticello Ave, Jersey City, NJ 07304
Exalted w/ Nick Masters - Departed Soles 9:00pm, Free. 150 Bay St., Jersey City, NJ 07302
Saturday June 1: Exchange Place Plaza
Ford's Gin Row $ - Champian Fulton Trio 1:00pm; Orrin Evans Trio 3:00pm; Trio HGH (Hébert, Garzone, Hart) 5:00pm; Dave Kikoski Trio feat. Billy Hart & Joe Martin 7:00pm
Exchange Place Alliance Plaza Stage Free. Riverview Jazz All-Stars feat. Lezlie Harrison 12:00pm; Lance Bryant & Shout! 2:00pm; Paris Monster 4:00pm; Nation Beat 6:00pm; Mambo Legends Orchestra 8:00pm
City of Jersey City Pier Stage Free - United Children's Music Project Latin Ensemble 1:30pm; Rachel Therrien's Latin Jazz Project 3:30pm; Winard Harper & Jeli Posse 5:30pm
Hyatt House After Hours - Tyreek McDole Jam Session 9:00pm Terrace; Moses Patrou Organ Trio 10:00pm Rooftop
Sunday June 2: Exchange Place Plaza
Bike JC Ward Tour - Exchange Place 11:00am
Jazz Brunch w/ Kate Curran & Ron Affif - Hyatt House, Free w/ reservation; 1 Exchange Place, Jersey City 07302
Ford's Gin Row $ - Curtis Brothers feat. Craig Handy 1:00pm; George Coleman Quartet 3:00pm; Brianna Thomas Band 5:00pm
Exchange Place Alliance Plaza Stage Free - Yvonnick Prené Quintet €œListen€ 12:00pm; Honk Family Band 2:00pm; Cyro Baptista's Chama 4:00pm; La Excelensia 6:00pm
City of Jersey City Pier Stage Free - NJCU Jazz Combo 12:30pm; Alon Nechustan Quartet 1:30pm; Juanga Lakunza Quintet 4:30pm
After-party - Moore's Place 7:00pm. 189 Monticello Avenue, Jersey City, NJ 07304
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