(SHORT HILLS, NJ) -- Looking for a fun and exciting way to celebrate the upcoming New Year? Look no further than the Pre-New Year's Eve Jam at Par 440 on Saturday, December 28, 2024! This event featuring Carrie Jackson & Friends promises to be a night to remember, filled with live music, great food, and a lively atmosphere.
Carrie Jackson is a metropolitan area based vocal stylist and rekindles thoughts of America's great jazz history. Carrie credits her mentors the great ladies of jazz, Sarah “Sassy” Vaughan, Ella Fitzgerald, Nancy Wilson, Carmen McRae, Dinah Washington, Billie Holiday, and others as a primary musical influence for her style, which indelibly helped shape vocal jazz for every generation ... to these extraordinary ladies. Carrie attributes her vocal style of singing from her mentors and made them a part of her also bringing new horizons to this classical American art form called Jazz. The truth is that she has a bit of all of them and more that is uniquely her own style and proudly carries the jazz banner.
Carrie is a vocalist stylist performer and honed her skills in her hometown, Newark, NJ in the cultural jazz mecca of performing arts while performing throughout the USA, and abroad, she spreads, shares her joy and well-honed expertise to the stage.
Ms. Jackson with her multifaceted singing style can harmonize swing, scat, swings classic jazz standards with sweet soul, wail the blues, cabaret, pop tunes, ballads, or Gospel, all complimented by her engaging stage presence and graceful moves. Carrie has a wide range with a strong command of the classic elements of jazz vocalizing. She is a gifted lyricist, has great timing and truly sings from her heart and is comfortable performing with a Small Ensemble, Big band and or Orchestra. z clubs, sounds supremely comfortable playing the tenor."
This versatile performer has sung with many different groups, and leads her own groups, she has been a guest vocalist for a variety of occasions including live radio and television as an artist and events around the world touring abroad and in the USA in years before and since.
Ms. Jackson is President / CEO Mo-Jazz LLC, former President C-Jay Recording & Productions, Inc. former, Music Director, New Jersey Jazz Society, current member New Jersey Jazz Society Board of Directors, former Treasurer of International Women in Jazz, NYC, former Director, Jazz Institute of New Jersey, New Brunswick, currently Community Advisory Board Member WBGO Radio in the Great City of Newark. Director, current Director of the Jazz Vocal Collective, NJ, teaches singers vocal improvisation phrasing, live recording, and performance skills.
Ms. Jackson has performed as an actress and dancer, for musical theater as a principal artist to include Ain't Misbehavin' and Nunsense, as well as live Television and Radio programs. Carrie is always reaching for higher ground and Vista’s.
Joining Carrie Jackson On Stage
Radam Schwartz is a highly respected Hammond B3 organist and jazz pianist. Over the past 30 years, he has built a reputation for his exceptional talent and versatility, collaborating with renowned artists such as Arthur and Red Prysock, Eddie Lockjaw Davis, Al Hibler, David Fathead Newman, Russell Malone, and Cecil Brooks III. Radam has been featured on over 40 albums as a sideman and has recorded nine albums as a leader.
He is also deeply involved in jazz education, having served as the Musical Director at the Jazz Institute of New Jersey for nearly 20 years and teaching at various institutions, including the Jazz House Kids program. Radam's latest release, "2 Sides of the Organ Combo," showcases his skills and features an all-star cast.
Gordon Lane - Drums. Gordon Lane is a highly respected presence on the jazz scene. Gordon Lane is a talented drummer known for his versatility and dynamic performances. He has played with various bands and artists, showcasing his skills in jazz, blues, and other genres, The list of artists Gordon has performed with, illuminates his skill and versatility. Some of the notables are: Ahmad Jamal, Claudio Roditi, Arthur Prysock, Rhoda Scott, Alvin Batiste, James Moody, Houston Person, Freddy Cole, Stanley Jordan, Eric Reed, Slide Hampton, Donald Braden and Michel LeGrand.
Takashi Otsuka on Bass – A consummate bassist, Takashi also studied composition and arranging with Herb Pomeroy, Bob Freedman and Ken Pullig, and improvisation theory with Gary Burton at Berklee College of Music. Takashi has appeared with various artists including the Boston Symphony Orchestra under the direction of Seiji Ozawa, The Boys Choir of Harlem, Ben E. King, Swing Express under the direction of Bill Conway, the Latin Jazz Orchestra under the direction of Victor Rendon, Don Sebesky, Bob Mintzer, Charles McPherson, Marion Meadows, Lew Solof, Ted Curson, Claudio Roditi, Norman Simmons, Vic Juris, John Hart, Bob Devos, Ron Affif, Pete Levin, Virginia Mayhew, Jack Walrath, Billy Hart, Eliot Zigmund and many more.
All Musicians, Singers Welcome - Join them for an unforgettable night of celebration, fun, and music! Whether you're a singer, dancer, or jazz musician, this is your chance to shine and share your talents with an enthusiastic audience. The evening will be filled with incredible performances, lively energy, and great company as we come together to celebrate. Don’t miss this opportunity to showcase your skills and end the year on a high note—let’s make it a night to remember!
The fun begins at 7:30pm, so make sure to arrive early to secure your spot. A variety of tasty food options will be available for you to enjoy while listening to the incredible sounds of the band. Par 440 Restaurant & Lounge is located at 440 Parsonage Hill Rd in Short Hills, New Jersey.
The event is presented by Gregory Burrus Productions. Gregory Burrus is a local live music producer, promoter, event planner, and community partner. He combines his extensive corporate business and technology expertise with his love of live music, making it his mission to keep the music alive by booking bands for private and public events1. Gregory spends his time as a photojournalist, live music producer, videographer, arts and entertainment writer, blogger, business reviewer, and community events reporter. He develops, manages, promotes, and documents live music programs in the Greater New Jersey and New York Area. His work includes organizing outdoor live music events, such as Clements Place Jazz for the Rutgers University Institute of Jazz Studies, NJPAC Community Engagement, NJPAC Jazz Advisory Team, Mt Zion AME Jazz and Jesus, Jazzy Nights Live Music performances, Live Music entertainment for Orange’s Farmers Market, Downtown Cranford Summer and Autumn Live Music Series, Downtown South Orange, 24 Hours of Music Jamboree Festival, South Orange Farmers Market Jazz Jam, etc. Gregory Burrus also books bands for various local and private venues, contributing to the vibrant music scene in the Northern NJ area.
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