New Jersey’s TD James Moody Festival Offers Diverse Series

By Michael Barris I Oct. 28, 2016

Wynton Marsalis (clockwise, from left), Angélique Kidjo, Patti Austin, Catherine Russell and Talib Kweli.
(Photo: Courtesy TD James Moody Jazz Fest)

Blending artistic excellence with a variety of jazz styles and forms, the fifth TD James Moody Jazz Festival, to be held Nov. 1–20, will pay tribute to numerous musicians who have made their mark on jazz history.

The festival, presented by the New Jersey Performing Arts Center (NJPAC) in Newark and overseen by Artistic Advisor and DownBeat Critics Poll-topping bassist Christian McBride, is “a celebration of jazz in all its forms,” according to David Rodriguez, NJPAC vice president and executive producer.

“We take pride in the festival’s diversity and its broad definition of jazz,” Rodriguez said. “The cool thing about the festival is that there are probably just as many free events as paid events.”

The festival’s emphasis on saluting the accomplishments of historic performers fits with Newark’s deep jazz history. Dozens of live theaters and nightclubs thrived in Newark from the 1920s to the 1960s. In 2012, NJPAC inaugurated the TD James Moody festival, Newark’s first major jazz festival in 15 years, in tribute to native son and acclaimed bebop and hard bop saxophonist Moody (1925–2010).

The festival begins on Nov. 1 with trumpeter Wynton Marsalis and vocalists Catherine Russell, Angélique Kidjo, Patti Austin and Talib Kweli performing at NJPAC’s Prudential Hall in a tribute to novelist Ralph Ellison, author of Invisible Man and numerous essays on jazz.

Titled “Jazz in the Key of Ellison,” the program will include readings from Ellison’s exuberant writing on music, inspired by his love of Harlem’s jazz world.

“The Brubeck Songbook,” a tribute to the late pianist on Nov. 6, will feature the pianist’s sons—bassist, trombonist and composer Chris and drummer Dan—in concert with singer-pianist Hilary Kole, a staple of the New York jazz scene.

Two-time Tony Award winner Judy Kaye will sing Cole Porter classics such as “Love For Sale” and “Begin The Beguine” in a 125th-anniversary salute to the composer, hosted by Porter biographer Robert Kimball in the Chase Room on Nov. 13.

A salute to Afrobeat pioneer Fela Kuti will anchor a Nov. 16 concert in Prudential Hall that features cast members of the Tony-winning Broadway show, Fela!

On Nov. 17, guitarist Lee Ritenour, saxophonist David Sanborn, pianist Dave Grusin and other stars of the GRP Records label will reunite to celebrate the fusion of jazz, pop and rock that became a major component of the GRP aesthetic. The Prudential Hall program will also feature a remembrance of late label co-founder Larry Rosen.

On Nov. 18, McBride will preside over a tribute to the “Godfather of Soul,” James Brown. Joining the bassist at Prudential Hall will be vocalist Sharon Jones, singer-songwriter Bettye LaVette, vocalist Lee Fields, soul singer Ryan Shaw, and James Brown Band alumni Pee Wee Ellis on sax, Robert “Mousey” Thompson on drums, and Fred Wesley on trombone.

The work of another Newark native, vocalist Sarah Vaughan, will be celebrated Nov. 19 when McBride’s trio and singers Dianne Reeves, Lisa Fischer and Sheila Jordan celebrate Vaughan’s legacy at NJPAC’s intimate Victoria Theater in a concert augmented by rare film clips.

The tribute to the Vaughan continues Nov. 20, again at Victoria Theater, with the finals of the fifth annual Sarah Vaughan International Jazz Vocal Competition, which serves to recognize and reward outstanding young jazz vocalists. The grand prize is a recording contract with Concord Records and $5,000 cash.

Other highlights include a jazz brunch with pianist Renee Rosnes on Nov. 20 at NICO Kitchen + Bar, a performance that will also feature vibraphonist Steve Nelson, bassist Peter Washington and drummer Carl Allen.

Free concerts include drummer Winard Harper and his Jeli Posse ensemble at Newark Museum on Nov. 19 (part of Newark jazz radio station WBGO’s Kids Jazz Concert series); saxophonist Antonio Hart’s quartet at Bethany Baptist Church on Nov. 12; and harpist Brandee Younger’s quartet at Gateway II on Nov. 16.

The festival unofficially started Oct. 15 with a “pre-festival” concert by Cuban singer Omara Portuondo, a founding member of the Buena Vista Social Club project that inspired an acclaimed film and album.