Photos by Rob Wasilewski

Kenny Davis and Rutgers University Emerging Artists

Saturday, October 11, 2–4pm

Join us for our second Metuchen Jazz for Youth concert! On Saturday, October 11, 2-4 pm, internationally recognized bassist Kenny Davis brings his quartet and Rutgers University Emerging Artists to perform at this not-to-be-missed event. Experience an unforgettable afternoon of world-class jazz and the next generation of emerging artists. Tickets are $25 for 18 and older, $10 for under 18. Doors open at 1:30 pm.

Cornerstone Jazz Series: Drummer Winard Harper & Jeli Posse

Sunday, October 19, 2–4 pm

Constantly in reverence of his predecessors while remaining innovative in his own right, Winard Harper has been among the celebrated drummers in jazz for many years. He is a virtuoso on the drum set and the balafon, the West African equivalent of the marimba, he is a sought after collaborator at home and abroad, a band leader of his quartet, his quintet, and his exciting band the Jeli Posse, a regular with the legendary New York clubs, an educator of future jazz professionals, an educator through his kids programs, an event organizer—successfully running the weekly Fish Fry Jazz Jam and the Sunday “Meet the Artist” Series at Moore’s Lounge in Jersey City. Bringing jazz to the community from which it originated, relating the story of The Great American Art Form, the only music that is 100% “made in America,” spreading the joy that jazz brings is the quest to which Winard Harper has dedicated his life.

This event will offer free admission, but seats are limited. Stay tuned for registration information via Metuchen Jazz and Friends of Metuchen Arts, the Metuchen Public Library newsletter, and social media.

Celebrating the Centennial Birthday of Saxophonist Gigi Gryce

Vocalist Alexis Cole Trio Performs with Narration by Jazz Historian and Author Noal Cohen

Saturday, November 8, 2–4pm

Alexis Cole has been compared to classic jazz singers such as Sarah Vaughan and Anita O'Day. A Top Winner of the Jazzmobile Vocal Competition judged by jazz icons TS Monk, Catherine Russell, Grady Tate, and Dr. Billy Taylor, 3rd prize winner in the Montreux Jazz Vocal Competition, and a finalist in the Sarah Vaughan Competition, Alexis has a dozen albums to her credit on Motéma, Chesky, Venus Records, and Zoho. She has recorded with such artists as Fred Hersch, Bucky Pizzarelli, and Don Braden. She’s been a soloist with the Boston Pops, and the Detroit Symphony Orchestra and has headlined at clubs around the US and Asia.

As an educator, Alexis was the head of vocal jazz at the conservatory at SUNY Purchase and counts Grammy-winning Samara Joy and rising star Anaïs Reno as her students. She is the founder and director of JazzVoice.com (https://www.jazzvoice.com/), an online educational community featuring singing classes, professional development sessions, and private lessons from a roster of renowned jazz vocalists and educators. And she is co-founder of the Virginia Beach Vocal Jazz Summit (https://www.vocaljazzsummit.org/). Her most recent release, “Jazz Republic: Taiwan, The United States and the Freedom of Swing,” features original arrangements for big band and orchestra, performed by Alexis with the Taipei Jazz Orchestra.

Noal Cohen, jazz historian and co-author of Rat Race Blues, the story of Gigi Gryce, will narrate the program and share his knowledge of Gigi Gryce, a highly appreciated jazz saxophonist who had a surprising career. Come and learn all about it!

This event is FREE, but seats are limited. Stay tuned for registration information via Metuchen Jazz and Friends of Metuchen Arts, the Metuchen Library newsletter, and social media.