Jun 10, 2025 4:13 PM
Theo Croker’s Dream … Manifested!
Partway through his early set at Smoke Jazz Club, Theo Croker blinks the room back into focus. He leans over the piano.…
The Oskar Schindler Performing Arts Center (OSPAC) Jazz Festival will run Friday–Sunday at the West Orange, N.J., venue.
Highlights include the Wallace Roney Sextet, the Waverly Seven featuring Anat Cohen and the Dizzy Gillespie Alumni All-Stars. The music will be supplemented by international food vendors, artisans and crafts, a health spa center, and entertainment and activities for children.
The event is free with a suggested donation of $5 at the door. For more information, visit ospac.org.
Here is the complete schedule:
Friday
7 p.m. Yoga & Jazz
8 p.m. Cecil’s Jazz Club with Eric Alexander Quartet ($15 Cover)
Saturday
1 p.m. OSPAC Jazz Ensemble led by Xavier Davis and Ralph Lalama
2 p.m. Houston Person Quartet
3 p.m. Roseanna Vitro Quartet
4 p.m. Wallace Roney Sextet
5 p.m. Waverly Seven featuring Anat Cohen
6 p.m. Eliane Elias Trio with Marc Johnson and Billy Hart
7 p.m. Dizzy Gillespie Alumni All-Stars
Sunday
12 p.m. OSPAC Jazz Workshop Big Band led by Don Braden
1 p.m. Cecil Brooks III and the CBIII Band
2 p.m. Dave Stryker and the Blue to the Bone Band featuring Steve Slagle
3 p.m. Romero Lubambo and Pamela Driggs - Guitar & Voice Duo
3 p.m. Vic Juris and Romero Lubambo with the World Music Ensemble
4 p.m. Kevin Mahogany
5 p.m. Grupo Latin Vibe
To record Dream Manifest (Dom Recs), Croker convened artists from his current and recent past ensembles, plus special guests.
Jun 10, 2025 4:13 PM
Partway through his early set at Smoke Jazz Club, Theo Croker blinks the room back into focus. He leans over the piano.…
“There’s nothing quite like it,” Springs says of working with an orchestra. “It’s 60 people working in harmony in the moment. Singing with them is kind of empowering but also humbling at the same time.”
Jun 17, 2025 11:12 AM
When it came time to pose for the cover of her new album, Lady In Satin — a tribute to Billie Holiday’s 1958…
James Brandon Lewis earned honors for Artist of the Year and Tenor Saxophonist of the Year. Three of his recordings placed in the Albums of the Year category.
Jul 17, 2025 12:44 PM
You see before you what we believe is the largest and most comprehensive Critics Poll in the history of jazz. DownBeat…
Galper was often regarded as an underrated master of his craft.
Jul 22, 2025 10:58 AM
Hal Galper, a pianist, composer and arranger who enjoyed a substantial performing career but made perhaps a deeper…
Chuck Mangione on the cover of the May 8, 1975, edition of DownBeat.
Jul 29, 2025 1:00 PM
Chuck Mangione, one of the most popular trumpeters in jazz history, passed away on July 24 at home in Rochester, New…