Morristown Jazz Fest Will Light Up The Green This Month

MORRISTOWN, NJ — Greater Morristown is trading in the end-of-summer blues for blues music on Saturday, Sept. 17 with the 12th annual Morristown Jazz & Blues Festival.

The festival draws thousands of fans and several accomplished musicians, making it a staple community event in Morris County.

“We are so excited with this year’s lineup which brings very popular artists like Bria Skonberg, Walter Trout and Frank Vignola back to Morristown,” Mayor Tim Dougherty said. “It’s going to be a great day of music for everyone.”

The celebration this year will honor Mike Fabrizio, a longtime committee member, and Linda Smith, one of the festival's founders, both of whom passed away in 2021.

James Langton’s New York All-Star Big Band, which will open the festival this year, will perform at noon. The 14-piece group, which performs arrangements from the big bands of the Swing Era, has been praised as "just amazingly great" by author and music critic Will Friedwald.

The festival will present Frank Vignola's Guitar Night at Birdland Band at 2 p.m., continuing a tradition started by the legendary Bucky Pizzarelli. Vignola is a well-liked performer who has become a festival fixture.

“We are thrilled to return to Morristown to play in this wonderful festival, particularly with Ken
joining us. We plan to play some classic jazz standards which we know that the audience will love,” Vignola said.

At 4:00, the festival will reintroduce Bria Skonberg, a popular performer on the trumpet, singer, and songwriter. Skonberg, dubbed "the shining hope of hot jazz" by the New York Times, will mix some old favorites with new songs while showcasing her trumpet playing, Grammy-winning vocals and always entertaining anecdotes.

“It means a lot to me to make music with friends again,” Skonberg said. “To share the healing power of music with audiences. I have loved performing at the festival in the past and look forward to returning.”

The concert's finale will feature 17-year-old sensation Veronica Lewis, a newcomer who has captured the blues world with her rocking piano playing and soaring vocals. Her debut album received two Blues Music Nominations in 2022 for Best Emerging Artist Album and Pinetop Piano Player of the Year.

“I am thrilled to make my first appearance in New Jersey,” Lewis said. “Particularly pleased to be in Morristown which is the home of an organization that has been very important to my family, The Seeing Eye. My grandfather, who was a huge jazz fan and musical influence on me, has had a Seeing Eye Dog for more than 60 years.”

Walter Trout, the legendary blues guitarist, returns to the festival for the final set of the day. “I am looking forward to returning to my home state and am so happy to return to Morristown for this fantastic festival,” Trout said.

Loyal concertgoers have been waiting months for this day, and it's almost here. The festival is held on the Morristown Green from noon until 10 p.m. The event is free to enter, so prepare to enjoy the music by bringing your lawn chairs, blankets, and picnic baskets.

Since its inception in 2011, the Morristown Jazz & Blues Festival has grown to become one of the most anticipated music events in the area, attracting attendees from all over the nation, enhancing local economies, and showcasing top-tier musicians who honor two great American art forms.