Montclair Jazz Fest 2023 Continues With Free Block Party, Live Music

MONTCLAIR, NJ — Some seriously cool jazz music is coming to Montclair this weekend – and much more is on the way.

Produced by nonprofit Jazz House Kids, the Montclair Jazz Festival is one of the largest in the New York City region, organizers say. Learn more here, and see the 2023 schedule of events here.

The popular, free festival will continue with a block party on Saturday, Aug. 12, which will include 10 hours of live music in Lackawanna Plaza, with 150 Jazz House emerging musicians performing in seven big bands and a vocal choir. The young performers will be followed by Charlie Sigler and his band, who will open for Endea Owens & the Cookout.

In the evening, “DJ Brother Mister” – aka Grammy-winning jazz maestro Christian McBride – will bring back his annual dance party. See Related: Montclair Jazz Icon Christian McBride Wins 8th Grammy Award

The Aug. 12 schedule includes:

• Noon – Jazz House Ensembles
• 4:30 p.m. – Charlie Sigler Quartet
• 6 p.m. – Endea Owens & The Cookout
• 7:30 p.m. – DJ Brother Mister Dance Party

The fun will continue with community partner events held throughout the month and the festival’s Soundcheck Series, which kicked off July 27 and will continue on Aug. 24.

Held in the Jazz House Annex, the second floor of Jazz House Kids’ hub in downtown Montclair, the July 27 show featured a set from versatile saxophone stylist and Jazz House teaching artist Bruce Williams and his band, with a student ensemble opening act and two-hour jam session. On Aug. 24 dynamic drummer and tenor saxophonist Roxy Cross will take the stage.

It all leads up to the festival’s grand finale, a “Downtown Jamboree” that will take place Saturday, Sept. 9 on five stages stretching down half a mile of Bloomfield Avenue from Lackawanna Plaza to Fullerton Avenue.

The Sept. 9 lineup includes Regina Carter, Antibalas, Steve Turre, Melanie Charles, Person to Person with Eric Person and Houston Person, Edmar Castaneda, Vince Ector, Michael Mwenso and the Shakes, Jazz House Collective and McBride, the festival’s music director and curator.

“It’s going to be yet another fabulous year at the Montclair Jazz Festival with such great artists –both up and coming and legendary – joining us,” McBride said.

• See Related: Montclair Jazz Fest Will Return (Here's What Is Planned For 2023)

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