Morristown Jazz Festival Announces Performers: Here's The Lineup

MORRISTOWN, NJ — The lineup is in for the Morristown Jazz & Blues Festival. The Morristown Green will be jamming from 12-10 p.m. Sept. 18 as five acts hit the stage.

The festival had been canceled last year because of COVID-19. But Mayor Tim Dougherty announced in May that the event would come back. Read more: Morristown Jazz & Blues Festival Will Make A Return

Mendham resident Rob Paparozzi will headline the festival. The frontman, singer and harmonica player toured with Blood, Sweat & Tears and the "Original Blues Brothers Band."

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Here's the lineup at this year's festival, plus the festival's previews of some of the acts:

Swingadelic, 12-2 p.m.

"Swingadelic, called the New York City metro regions’ 'greatest little big band,' will return to the Festival for the first time in almost a decade. Led by bassist Dave Post, the band features vocalist Vanessa Perea and singer/pianist John Bauers. For more than two decades the band has entertained audiences up and down the East Coast and also includes alto saxophonist Audrey Welber, tenor saxophonist Michael Weisberger, baritone sax John DiSanto, trumpets Carlos Francis and Bryan Davis, trombonists Rob Edwards and Jimmy O’Connell, guitarist Andy Riedel, and drummer Colby Inzer."

The Frank Vignola Trio, 2-4 p.m.

"The great Les Paul named Frank Vignola to his 'Five Most Admired Guitarists List' for the Wall Street Journal not only for his jaw-dropping technique, but also for his wonderful musicianship. It is no wonder that he has been the guitarist of choice for so many musical greats including Tommy Emmanuel, Ringo Starr, and Wynton Marsalis. Since recovering from a very serious accident, Frank has returned full time to the genre-spanning music which has made him a fan favorite."

Winard Harper & Jeli Posse, 4-6 p.m.

"The award-winning drummer Winard Harper rose to international fame with the Harper Brothers and as exciting to watch today as he was when he first started out three decades ago. Critics have praised his 'percussive pyrotechnics' and 'sonic power,' and he always surrounds himself with the best musicians.

Louis Prima Jr. and The Witnesses, 6-8 p.m.

"Always popular with the festival, Louis Prima Jr. and the Witnesses return to perform at 6:00. The only son of the incomparable singer, songwriter and entertainer Louis Prima, Junior has become a force in his own right. More than three decades after the death of his father, he leads an ensemble that exudes energy, excitement and fun whether it is performing their own material or putting a new spin on some of his dad’s greatest hits including 'Sing Sing Sing,' 'Just a Gigilo,' and 'Jump Jive ‘n Wail.'"

Rob Paparozzi’s Juke Joint, 8-10 p.m.

"Frontman, singer, and harmonica player Rob Paparozzi and his incredible group have long been favorites of Festival fans. Rob has toured with Blood Sweat & Tears and the 'Original Blues Brothers Band' featuring guitar great Steve Cropper and drummer Bernard Purdie. He has worked and recorded with an impressive list of musicians including B.B. King, Dr. John, Bruce Springsteen, Whitney Houston, Carole King, and Phoebe Snow. Rob will be joined by pianist John Korba, guitarist George Naha, bassist Sue Williams and drummer Frank."

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