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A Voice of Jazz, Community, and Celebration Takes Center Stage in Cranford at the 24 Hours of Music Jamboree
Tuesday, July 14 – Lynette Sheard Returns 6–8 PM | Cranford, New Jersey 2026 24 Hours of Music Jamboree – Horizontal Edition
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On Tuesday, July 14, the 2026 24 Hours of Music Jamboree – Horizontal Edition continues its journey through New Jersey with an evening dedicated to one of the festival’s most beloved voices: Lynette Sheard.
A celebrated vocalist, community leader, MHANJ ambassador, and the official host and MC of the Jamboree since 2019, Lynette Sheard returns to the stage not only as a performer, but as one of the defining personalities who has helped shape the identity of this extraordinary musical celebration. (Gregory Burrus Productions)
Find out what's happening in Cranfordfor free with the latest updates from Patch.
From her first appearances with the Jamboree, Lynette has represented the festival’s core values: connection, inclusion, storytelling, and the belief that music has the power to bring people together. Her return marks another chapter in a tradition built around community and the shared experience of live performance.
The Return of a Jamboree Tradition
The 24 Hours of Music Jamboree began in 2017 in South Orange, New Jersey, as an ambitious community experiment: could an entire town become a stage for a full 24 hours of continuous music? The answer became a movement that celebrated local artists, national performers, volunteers, businesses, and neighbors coming together through music. (Gregory Burrus Productions)
Over the years, the Jamboree evolved:
- 2017: The inaugural South Orange celebration created a nonstop musical experience throughout the community.
- 2018–2019: The festival expanded its artist lineup and strengthened its reputation as a gathering place for diverse musical voices.
- 2020: The Jamboree transformed into a worldwide digital experience during the pandemic, proving that music could continue beyond physical stages.
- 2021: The festival returned with a powerful community tribute before entering its next era.
- 2026: The Horizontal Edition expands the vision, connecting communities from Jersey City to the Jersey Shore. (Gregory Burrus Productions)
Throughout that history, Lynette Sheard has become one of the festival’s signature voices — welcoming audiences, introducing artists, and creating moments that feel personal even within a large-scale celebration.
Lynette Sheard: The Voice Behind the Welcome
A great festival host does more than announce performers — they create a bridge between the artist and the audience.
Lynette Sheard brings that rare ability.
Her presence combines the warmth of a storyteller with the power of a seasoned vocalist. Whether introducing a legendary jazz performer, encouraging emerging musicians, or stepping onto the stage herself, she embodies the spirit of hospitality that defines the Jamboree.
Since 2019, her role as official MC has helped create continuity across the festival’s many transformations. From outdoor stages and community gatherings to expanded regional celebrations, Lynette has remained a familiar and trusted voice guiding audiences through the experience. (Gregory Burrus Productions)
For the 2026 edition, she returns with her band for an evening performance that celebrates jazz, soul, and the timeless connection between musicians and listeners.
The Band: A Celebration of Musical Collaboration
Lynette Sheard’s performances are rooted in collaboration. Her band brings together musicians who understand that jazz is not only about technical excellence — it is about conversation.
The evening performance will highlight:
- Rich vocal interpretation
- Dynamic jazz arrangements
- Improvisational energy
- The chemistry between vocalist and musicians
- The timeless connection between classic jazz traditions and today’s audiences
The Jamboree has always been a place where generations meet — where seasoned performers share stages with rising talent and where audiences discover new favorites.
Lynette’s performance continues that tradition.
Cranford: A Historic Community Stage
The July 14 celebration brings the Jamboree to Cranford, New Jersey, a community known for its vibrant downtown, riverfront character, and commitment to public gathering spaces.
Cranford’s history is deeply connected to community development and civic pride. The town’s downtown district has long served as a gathering place for residents, businesses, restaurants, and cultural activities. In 1985, Cranford became the first community in New Jersey to establish a Special Improvement District, helping support downtown revitalization, business growth, and public-space improvements. (Downtown Cranford)
That spirit makes Cranford a natural home for a Jamboree event.
Music festivals thrive when they meet communities that value connection — places where neighbors gather, visitors feel welcomed, and public spaces become stages for shared memories.
On this evening, Cranford becomes another chapter in the Jamboree story.
A Festival Powered by Community Partners
The 2026 24 Hours of Music Jamboree is made possible through the collaboration of artists, municipalities, sponsors, cultural organizations, volunteers, and community supporters who believe in the power of music.
The festival’s expanded Horizontal Edition represents a larger mission: bringing live music into communities while celebrating local identity, arts education, wellness, and cultural connection. (Gregory Burrus Productions)
Special appreciation goes to:
Gregory Burrus Productions
As producer, curator, and driving force behind the Jamboree, Gregory Burrus Productions has helped build the festival from a single-town experiment into a statewide celebration of music and community. (Gregory Burrus Productions)
Through years of artist relationships, community partnerships, and creative programming, Gregory Burrus Productions continues to create opportunities for musicians and audiences to connect across New Jersey.
Why This Night Matters
Tuesday, July 14 is more than a concert.
It is a celebration of:
🎶 A voice that has guided the Jamboree for years
🎶 A community opening its doors to live music
🎶 Musicians carrying forward jazz traditions
🎶 The continued evolution of a festival built by people, passion, and purpose
As the Horizontal Edition travels across New Jersey, Lynette Sheard’s return reminds audiences of something the Jamboree has always known:
Music is not just something we hear — it is something we share.
Join Lynette Sheard, her band, and the 24 Hours of Music Jamboree community in Cranford on Tuesday, July 14, from 6–8 PM for an unforgettable evening of jazz, connection, and celebration. (Gregory Burrus Productions)
Produced by Gregory Burrus Productions
2026 24 Hours of Music Jamboree – Horizontal Edition
From Jersey City to the Jersey Shore (Gregory Burrus Productions)
