A Powerful Open : Hyeseon Hong 17-piece Orchestra Welcomes the 2026 24 Hours of Music Jamboree

By Gregory Burrus Productions

When the first notes of a seventeen-piece jazz orchestra rise over Jersey City on Sunday, July 12, they will signal much more than the beginning of another concert. They will mark the opening chapter of the most ambitious edition of the 24 Hours of Music Jamboree ever produced—a celebration that has grown from a single community gathering into an eight-day musical journey stretching from Jersey City to the Jersey Shore. (Gregory Burrus Productions)

For nearly a decade, the Jamboree has demonstrated that great music belongs in neighborhoods, parks, museums, churches, downtown streets, and public spaces where communities can gather free of barriers. In 2026, the festival enters a new era with its Horizontal Edition, connecting multiple cities through a shared love of jazz, blues, gospel, soul, and community storytelling. (Gregory Burrus Productions)

A Festival Built for the Community

The story of the 24 Hours of Music Jamboree began in 2017 in South Orange, New Jersey, where founder Gregory Burrus envisioned a continuous celebration of live music that united audiences of every generation.

The concept was simple but powerful: bring world-class musicians together with local artists in welcoming public spaces where everyone could enjoy the experience.

When the COVID-19 pandemic interrupted live performances in 2020, the festival adapted by moving online. Rather than disappear, it evolved. Hybrid programming returned in 2021, allowing audiences to reconnect safely while expanding the event's reach.

Now, in 2026, the Jamboree has transformed again. Instead of taking place in a single location over twenty-four hours, the festival travels across New Jersey, creating a musical corridor that links cities, shore communities, cultural institutions, churches, parks, and downtown business districts. (Gregory Burrus Productions)

Jersey City: A Fitting Place to Begin

Few places better represent New Jersey's cultural diversity than Jersey City.

Founded in the nineteenth century and shaped by generations of immigrants arriving through nearby Ellis Island, Jersey City has long been recognized as one of America's most culturally diverse communities.

Its neighborhoods have produced generations of artists, musicians, educators, entrepreneurs, and community leaders.

Today, Jersey City continues to embrace public art, live performance, and cultural festivals that celebrate its remarkable diversity.

Launching the Horizontal Edition here reflects the festival's commitment to bringing music directly into the communities that make New Jersey unique.

Hyeseon Hong and a Powerful Opening

The opening concert features internationally acclaimed composer and conductor Hyeseon Hong, leading a spectacular 17-piece orchestra.

Known for sophisticated arrangements that blend traditional big-band jazz with contemporary orchestration, Hong has earned respect throughout the international jazz community for her imaginative compositions and dynamic conducting.

A seventeen-piece ensemble recalls the golden age of big-band jazz while introducing audiences to modern interpretations that honor the tradition without remaining confined to it.

The opening performance promises soaring brass sections, expressive woodwinds, energetic rhythm, and inventive improvisation—setting the tone for the remarkable week ahead. (Gregory Burrus Productions)

More Than Entertainment

The 24 Hours of Music Jamboree has never been simply about concerts.

Its mission extends into education, community development, wellness, tourism, and neighborhood revitalization.

Each performance encourages audiences to discover local restaurants, businesses, parks, museums, and cultural organizations while creating opportunities for musicians to perform before new audiences.

The Horizontal Edition also invites visitors to explore communities they may never have experienced before, strengthening connections throughout New Jersey.

Community Partners Make It Possible

Large-scale festivals succeed through collaboration.

The 2026 Jamboree is supported by an extraordinary network of organizations dedicated to arts, education, health, and community engagement.

Among this year's supporters are:

• Rutgers Institute of Jazz Studies
• Three Doctors Foundation
• New Jersey Performing Arts Center
• Bradley Beach Tourism
• Municipal and community organizations across New Jersey

These partnerships allow the festival to remain accessible while supporting artists, educational programming, and neighborhood engagement. (Gregory Burrus Productions)

Gregory Burrus Productions: Building Community Through Music

Behind every performance is the vision of Gregory Burrus Productions.

For years, Gregory Burrus Productions has championed live music throughout New Jersey by presenting concerts that celebrate jazz, blues, gospel, soul, and emerging artists alongside internationally recognized performers.

Beyond producing concerts, the organization connects artists with audiences, creates opportunities for young musicians, supports local businesses, and demonstrates how cultural programming can strengthen entire communities.

The 2026 Horizontal Edition represents one of the organization's most ambitious projects to date.

Looking Ahead

The opening concert is only the beginning.

During the following week audiences will experience:

• Lynette Sheard's celebrated return
• Bradley Beach Summer Jazz Bash
• Morris Museum performances
• Cranford's Summer Sounds concerts
• Newark's historic jazz scene
• The Fifth Annual Jazz, Health & Food Truck Festival
• A special closing weekend featuring the Gemini-Dragon Duo and Linwood Taylor. (Gregory Burrus Productions)

Each stop tells a different story while contributing to one larger narrative: music has the power to connect people across cities, generations, and cultures.

Thank You to Gregory Burrus Productions

Special thanks to Gregory Burrus Productions for continuing to invest in New Jersey's musical heritage.

Through visionary programming, meaningful partnerships, and an unwavering commitment to community access, Gregory Burrus Productions has helped transform the 24 Hours of Music Jamboree into one of the region's most distinctive cultural celebrations.

As the Horizontal Edition begins, audiences are invited not only to attend concerts but to become part of a growing tradition that celebrates artistry, hospitality, education, and community.

The music starts on July 12—but its impact will resonate long after the final encore.