Celebrating our 20th Anniversary Season
See the 2023 Summer Concerts lineup below
Thursday | June 29 | 2023 | 7pm
Christian Lopez
Rolling Stone says, "As popularity in Americana rises, Lopez can connect the dots for many young listeners.”
Christian Lopez is an authentic singer/songwriter and a gifted guitarist. Wiith the will of his voice and the stomp of a steady beat, he is pioneering his own brand of Alt. Folk Country Rock. Like a young Whitman, Lopez translates the iconic America before him into rousing romps and searing serenades employing crisp and thoughtful imagery and storytelling. Lopez recorded his debut album, produced by Americana super-producer Dave Cobb (Jason Isbell, Chris Stapleton) when he was just 18. Rolling Stone even called him a "Best Of" at AmericanaFest, two years in a row.
Now, nine years later, he just released his fourth album, Magdalena, and has emerged as a well-rounded and experienced artist. With the help of producer, Robert Adam Stevenson, who also produced Lopez’s last project The Other Side, Christian delivers songs laced with soaring vocals and some of Lopez’s most personal, joyful, and spiritual songs to date. Rolling Stone describes the work as head turning.
Featuring
Christian Lopez – vocals, guitars
Joey Antico – drums
Daniel Gallagher – bass
Wednesday | July 19 | 2023 | 7pm
Edmar Castañeda World Ensemble
Grammy Nominated and Colombian-born harp virtuoso Edmar Castañeda has forged his own distinctive path in music.
Singlehandedly, Castañeda has used innovative technique and creativity to carve out a place for harp in contemporary Jazz. This has led to formidable collaborations with music titans such as Sting, Bela Fleck, John Scofield, Rickie Lee Jones, Hiromi, John Patitucci, Pedrito Martinez, Marcus Miller, Gonzalo Rubalcaba, Ivan Lins, The Yellowjackets, Paco De Lucia, and Paquito D’Rivera.
NPR’s Fresh Air says about Edmar, “...his technique is the real astonishment. Castañeda juggles lead, rhythm, and bass lines, using a variety of hard and soft string attacks to keep those voices distinct—all without giving up the groove. His amazing technique raises the bar for every harpist.”
Such is Edmar’s talent that he recently shared a concert devoted to him and his music at Jazz at Lincoln Center featuring him playing with the Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra led by Wynton Marsalis.
Castañeda's music can be heard in Disney’s hit film, Encanto, on which he served a music consultant.
In support of his recently released CD, Viento Sur, Edmar has assembled a world class group of musicians for this New Jersey premiere of the music from the CD.
Featuring
Edmar Castañeda – harp
Andrea Tierra – vocals
Itai Kriss – flute
Yotam Ben-Or – harmonica
Ryan Keberle – trombone
Ivan Renta – tenor and soprano sax
Pablo Vergara – keyboard
Rogerio Boccato – percussion
Rodrigo Villalon – drums
Wednesday | August 16 | 2023 | 7pm
Tribute to Burt Bacharach
Burt Bacharach was an iconic composer who had more hits than we can name.
As a teenager, he learned the piano and played in various bands. He soon developed a preference for Jazz and Bebop and his music came to be known for unique harmonies and syncopated rhythms. He combined elements of Pop, Jazz, Brazilian, and Rock to create a style all his own.
Bacharach was best known for two major musical collaborations, one with singer Dionne Warwick and another with his main lyricist, Hal David. Ohers who sang his songs comprise a Who's Who of musical artists over more than half a century. Not only was he a prolific popular songwriter but he also wrote music for film (such as Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid) and the stage (Promises, Promises). He won 8 Grammys, 3 Oscars, and many other awards.
This retrospective, will be led by musical director John Di Martino. Featured artists will include:
Imani Rousselle Whether covering jazz standards, classic pop, or her own contemporary compositions, Imani Rousselle’s voice is inviting and warm. Originally from Texas, she moved north to study at the Manhattan School of Music and now calls New York City her home. Imani has performed at notable venues such as Dizzy's Jazz Club, the Schomburg Center, The Joyce Theater, Smalls, The Jazz Museum, and more. She is looking forward to her first album release in September with her genre-defying band, Human Bloom.
Felicia Temple reached a nationwide audience singing on the 12th season of The Voice. She’s a soul-rooted contemporary R&B artist through and through….a singer/songwriter, pianist, and producer who specializes in mature romantic ballads elevated by her lithe vocals.
Bryan Carter is a multi-talented drummer, singer, and orchestrator/arranger. This past June he won the Tony Award for his orchestrations of Some Like It Hot. Bryan has played and/or recorded with many notable artists including Clark Terry, McCoy Tyner, Wynton Marsalis, Marcus Roberts, Kenny Barron, Michael Feinstein, and Kurt Elling, among others.
Ben Jones has appeared with major orchestras around the world and is also a consummate theater artist. His versatile voice has been featured on recordings on the Naxos, Delos, and Albany, labels and on "A Prairie Home Companion". Broadway World calls his voice, “One of the most unbelievable vocal instruments in the industry today.”
Special Thanks to
for being the
principal sponsor
of this concert
The Band
John Di Martino – piano, musical direction
Tim Ouimette – trumpet, flugelhorn
David Rosenthal – guitar
Boris Kozlov – bass
Bryan Carter – drums
Thursday | August 31 | 2023 | 7pm
An Evening of Broadway Favorites
This special concert will feature music and dance from Broadway classics and recent musicals including South Pacific, Kiss Me Kate, Hamilton, Light in the Piazza, Waitress, My Fair Lady, Wicked, and many others.
Featured performers include:
Christiane Noll – Tony Award and Drama Desk nominee for Ragtime revival. Drama Desk nominee for Chaplin. Broadway and National Tour: Dear Evan Hansen
Patrick Boll – Broadway: Mamma Mia, Old Times, Twentieth Century, Death of a Salesman.
Danny Gardner – Broadway: Dames At Sea, Flying Over Sunset. National Tours: White Christmas, 42nd Street, Here to Stay: The Gershwin Experience.
Chelsea Cree Groen – National tours: Wicked and Hello Dolly
Ben Jones – recording artist and award-winning cabaret and concert singer. His cabaret show was named "Best of 2022" by Broadway World.
Emily Larger – National Tour – Cabaret, The 39 Steps, Elf.
William Michals – Broadway shows: Parade, South Pacific, Bright Star
Diane Phelan – recently played Cinderella in the Broadway production and National tour of Into the Woods. Broadway – School of Rock, The King and I.
Hosted by Nancy Giles – Emmy Winning TV personality, actress, comedienne, and writer.
Musical Direction – Evan Zavada
Director/Choreographer – Danny Gardner
Special Thanks to
the Township of Weehawken
for being the
principal sponsor
of this concert
