Morristown Jazz & Blues Festival Returns To The Green This Fall

MORRISTOWN, NJ — As a way to cap off summer, the Morristown Jazz & Blues Festival will once again hit the stage this year on Sept. 17.

This year's festival kicks off at noon, with James Langton's New York All-Star Big Band featuring Dan Levinson opening the show. The Festival is in its 12th year, and organizers and Mayor Tim Dougherty expect a large crowd to descend on the Green until 10 p.m.

Following cancellations and postponements due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the festival returned last year, shifting from August to September to accommodate remaining social-distance restrictions.

“Last year’s return following a pandemic hiatus paid tribute to two of our founders, Linda Kiger Smith and Michael Fabrizio,” Dougherty said. “And this year, we continue to salute them with an exceptional lineup. Because our move to the third Saturday in September was so popular, we have decided to make the change permanent and look forward to seeing everyone.”

This year's festival welcomes back a crowd favorite, guitarist Frank Vignola, who spent years on the Green stage with Bucky Pizzarelli's Guitar Summit. Vignola returns to the Green with his Guitar Night at Birdland Band featuring guitarist Jimmy Bruno, keyboardist John DiMartino, bassist Gary Mazzaroppi and drummer Vince Cherico.

Another crowd favorite, Bria Skonberg and her quintet return to the Festival at 4:00. Skonberg, dubbed "the shining hope of hot jazz" by the New York Times, will mix new and old material, showcasing her fiery trumpet work, award-winning vocals, and always entertaining stories.

Walter Trout, the legendary blues guitarist who headlined the festival in 2018, performs at 8 p.m. Trout began his career in New Jersey and still considers it his home, but he rose to prominence with John Mayall and the Blues Breakers in the 1980s.

Since then, Mayall has referred to him as "one of the most talented rock and blues players on the planet's stage." Trout has received numerous honors, including the 2021 Blues Music Awards Song of the Year.

Admission is free, and many local restaurants will be offering festival-goers specials. The organizers of the festival recommend that attendees bring lawn chairs and blankets.

The free festival is sponsored by several local businesses, including Morristown Airport, Deloitte, Scotto Properties, Hampshire Company, Inglesino-Webster, Rainone Coughlin, Minchello, Sills, Cummis & Gross, Atlantic Health, Delaware Raritan and Headquarters Plaza.

The complete list of sponsors and performers is available on the festival's website, www.morristownjazzandblues.org.