Local Resident Jacqueline Lee Opens For 2 Contemporary Jazz Stars

Once again Smooth Jazz History was made in the very beautiful, very spacious, historic Georgian Revival style mansion called The Woodland in Maplewood, NJ. Our local New Jersey resident, producer and promoter Rich Engel, who for decades has produced numerous NYC Smooth Jazz Cruises along with many other marquee live music concerts is determined to make contemporary jazz a mainstay in our SOMA(South Orange Maplewood) area. Rich brought two of the gold standards in contemporary jazz stars to town for this event - Marion Meadows and Alex Bugnon Together for “Holidays at the Woodland”. Rich is re-establishing a past custom of great shows from one of the former #1 Contemporary Jazz station in the country, the long running New York CD101.9 radio station. Co-Hosting the show was former CD101.9 radio personality Steve Harris.

But first talk about the opening act by our very local Montclair resident, rising star violinist, Jacqueline Lee and her quartet which was introduced by our very own Maplewood, New Jersey, Mayor Mr. Frank McGehee.

Jacqueline Lee Quartet enjoys the night with Mayor Frank McGehee and band.

The opening performance was an awesome, fabulous opening set led by bandleader and local Montclair resident, 16 year old violinist, Jacqueline Lee. While young in years, she is not young in experience. Jacquie has been a member of Jazz House Kids and has a professional family of musicians (Saxophonist Mike, Rebecca Harris Lee) surrounding her. They all thrive very well in the Greater New York, New Jersey and beyond live music scene.

Note that Jacqueline had been playing Violin for 11 years and received the Jazz Soloist Downbeat Student Music Award for an Outstanding Performance. Jacqueline has performed at the Jazz Standard and Dizzy’s Club Coca Cola at Lincoln Center in NYC and recently for my Jazz973 program at Newark NJ's Rutgers Institute of Jazz Studies, Clements Place Jazz venue. Still the proof is in the moment and although Jacquie said to me that “ I’m comfortable with performing the music but I am more concerned with making sure my speaking pieces are correct” .

Jacqueline Lee Band On Stage

Well let the music play because Jacqueline did not disappoint at all. Her quartet included a number of local favorites, Seniar Raines on bass, Derick Campos on Guitar and Zack Perez on drums. She led her band through a number of standards: Red Jumps by Stuff Smith, Cherokee by Ray Noble and my favorite, Invitation by Bronislau Kaper Strasbourg/St. Denis - Roy Hargrove. All band and tune introductions were excellent, the tunes were performed eloquently, tight and the band was totally in sync.

https://vimeo.com/659172829
Videos courtesy of Rebecca Harris-Lee

The Jaqueline Lee Quartet was an excellent selection to kick off the night and she stated afterwards: “It was a lovely experience to play with a band that I've become very comfortable with. This was the first time we’ve gotten to play a performance of this caliber and having such an enthusiastic and engaged audience made the whole experience so enjoyable. It’s been amazing but quite honestly very nerve wracking to start playing for real-life people again but I don't think that was reflected too much in our music and our energy that night was better than ever!”

Based on the audience response and the band performance, te event attendees clearly enjoyed their performance. Big kudos go out to Jacqueline Lee for leading an absolutely wonderful performance in such a pressure packed environment.

Learn More About: Jacqueline Lee

If you were in attendance and want to hear more from this fabulous violinist check her out at one my favorite restaurants, Ruthie's BBQ and Pizza, Jacquie runs a Student Jam Session on selected Thursdays 6 pm until 9 pm. Guaranteed good time.

You can enjoy more clips and videos at the links below :

• https://vimeo.com/gregoryburrus
• http://24hoursofmusicjamboree.com
• https://www.youtube.com/gregoryburrus

Enjoying the Night - top-l Roxanne Burrus, Top Right Gregory Burrus, Roxanne Burrus DJ Roc, Patricia Harrison and Virgil Harrison - Bot L - Al Clarke Bot - R Gregory Burrus, Mike Lee.

After the event there was a meet and greet area on the 2nd floor. Here you were able to meet with other friends and neighbors in attendance, and enjoy the Jespy Open Bar.

You can read more about about Marion Meadows and Alex Bugnon Together for “Holidays at the Woodland”. here at https://patch.com/users/gregbu... .

Gregory Burrus with Alex Bugnon and Marion Meadows

Writer Gregory Burrus is also a local live music ambassador, event planner, and community partner that curates, manages and promotes live music events in the SOMA (South Orange, Maplewood) community, Northern NJ and New York Area. Read more with Gregory Burrus at https://www.jerseyindie.com/gregory-burrus