South Orange Musician To Helm Concert For NJ Jazz Society’s 45th Anniversary

SOUTH ORANGE, NJ — South Orange resident and acclaimed musician Don Braden will direct a special concert, “Big Band to Bebop and Beyond,” in honor of the New Jersey Jazz Society’s 45th anniversary.

The concert will take place from 3 to 6 p.m. in the Dorothy Young Center for the Arts at Drew University. At the event, an “all-star lineup of New Jersey-based jazz musicians” will honor the 75-year career of the legendary 91-year-old guitarist Bucky Pizzarelli, a resident of Saddle River, who will perform, organizers said.

The music director for the program will be tenor saxophonist/flutist Don Braden, a resident of South Orange, who has played with such jazz luminaries as vocalist Betty Carter, trumpeters Freddie Hubbard and Wynton Marsalis, and drummers Roy Haynes and Tony Williams. Braden is also a renowned educator, having spent more than two decades giving master classes at several schools and universities.

The mistress of ceremonies will be WBGO-FM midday host Rhonda Hamilton, and a special guest will be “Newark’s First Lady of Jazz” Dorthaan Kirk, WBGO’s special events and community relations coordinator.

The rest of the music lineup includes:

• Trumpeter Nathan Eklund, a resident of Bloomfield.
• Trombonist Jason Jackson, South Orange
• Guitarist Ed Laub, Wyckoff
• Guitarist Dave Stryker, West Orange
• Pianist Tomoko Ohno, Tenafly
• Bassist Martin Pizzarelli, Saddle River
• Drummer Bernard Purdie, Edison
• Vocalist Danny Bacher, Cliffside Park
• Vocalist Alexis Morrast, Plainfield
• Vocalist Antoinette Montague, a Newark native
• Vocalist Marlene VerPlanck, Clifton
• Pianist Leonieke Scheuble and drummer Nick Scheuble, Rockaway
• Bassist Tim Givens, Montclair
• William Paterson University “Little Big Band”

Proceeds from the concert will benefit the NJ Jazz Society’s scholarships and its educational program, Generations of Jazz. Ticket prices are $30 in advance and $35 at the door for NJJS members; and $35 in advance and $40 at the door for non-members. Balcony seating is available for students (with ID) for $15. For tickets, order online at njjs.org or by phone at 1-800-383-3006.

Send local news tips, photos and press releases to eric.kiefer@patch.com

Photo of Don Braden: Chris Drukker

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