Music Amid COVID: Jazz Society Concert To Stream From West Orange

WEST ORANGE, NJ — Music finds a way to shine through the darkest times. And the coronavirus pandemic is no exception.

On Sunday, Nat Adderley Jr. and special guests will headline the New Jersey Jazz Society’s virtual social event, which will stream from his home in West Orange. Tenor saxophonist Mike Lee, who lives in Montclair; and trumpeter James Gibbs III, who grew up in Irvington, will join Adderley for the virtual soiree.

The event will take place from 4 to 5 p.m. and can be viewed on the NJ Jazz Society Facebook page.

According to the society, local musicians have had to adapt to find gigs amid the pandemic, including Adderley .

Since COVID-19 shut down traditional indoor live performances, Adderley has appeared outside at Tavern on George, Shanghai Jazz in Madison, Regina’s steakhouse in Teaneck and in a parking lot in South Orange. He also teamed up with vocalist Alyson Williams for a virtual tribute to the late singer Phyllis Hyman as part of the virtual Harlem Week Festival in August.

On Sunday, Adderley – who spent 25 years as the music director for rhythm & blues singer Luther Vandross – will be taking on his latest effort amid the pandemic along with Lee and Gibbs.

“My piano is in my living room and the acoustics are real good,” Adderley told the society, adding that viewers can expect to hear a mix of favorite jazz standards – as well as some Luther Vandross tunes.

Funding has been made possible in part by Morris Arts through the New Jersey State Council on the Arts/Department of State, a partner agency of the National Endowment of the Arts. Additional funding has been provided through a grant from Nan Hughes Poole.

• See related article: West Orange Students Connect With Music In Coronavirus
• See related article: Montclair Synagogue Uses Music To Stay Connected Amid Coronavirus
• See related article: West Orange Musician On 30-Year Career: 'I've Been Fortunate'

Send local news tips and correction requests to eric.kiefer@patch.com

Don’t forget to visit the Patch West Orange Facebook page. Learn more about posting announcements or events to your local Patch site. Sign up for Patch email newsletters.