Closter Teen's Jazz Trio Opens For 'American Idol' Producer's New Pop Stars

by Rafe Gomez

Jazz/pop trio Owen Mack and the Immaculates, which features 17 year-old Closter resident Owen McCloskey on vocals and keyboards, was recently the opening act for IM5, a new group that’s touring America and is co-managed by “American Idol” producer Simon Fuller and media icon Perez Hilton. The concert took place at Radiant, a teen club in Nutley.

“The crowd mainly came for the teen pop sound of IM5, but they really got their socks knocked off by the energetic jazzy vibe of Owen Mack & the Immaculates,” says Billy Le Duc, talent booker and promoter of Radiant. “Pop crowds are tough to please if you’re not straight-up pop, so it was impressive that the teen girls in the house were grooving and really enjoyed the band’s performance.”

Owen Mack & the Immaculates formed in March 2014 and met as a result of their connection with School of Rock, an afterschool music program in Tenafly, where McCloskey is a student. Dominick Calabrese (drums) and Dre Broomes (bass), both 19 year-old graduates of Bogota High School, are also in the band.

“Not only did School of Rock teach me how to sing and play instruments, it also taught me how to collaborate with other musicians,” says McCloskey, who’s a senior at Northern Valley Old Tappan High School and cites Ben Folds, Jamie Cullum, and Bill Evans as his musical influences. “My confidence grew after many years of lessons and performing in dozens of shows, including a tour with the School of Rock AllStars. The experience raised my game, and the band probably wouldn’t have happened if not for School of Rock.”

The trio’s debut album “Ode To Indigo” was released in June 2014, and was produced, engineered, and mixed by Steve Kellner, a teacher at School of Rock.

“The guys’ album ‘Ode To Indigo’ is one of the most refreshing debut releases I’ve heard from a local band in a long time,” says Kellner, who has worked with such artists as Wyclef Jean, Cedella Marley, Bobby Womack, and Lenny White. “In an age full of gimmicky performers, Owen Mack & The Immaculates have no studio magic or tricks up their sleeve to make them sound huge, that’s just their natural and raw energy. The raspy and powerful vocals bring to mind a polished and modern pop sound in the vein of Bruno Mars and Adam Levine.”

John Mullen, a Marconi Award-winning broadcast executive and the former program director of Smooth Jazz WQCD/CD101.9 in New York, believes that the band’s unique sound is unusual and refreshing.

“Owen Mack and the Immaculates have a soulfulness and sophistication that one wouldn’t expect from such young musicians,” says Mullen, who’s currently a media professor at Hofstra University. “The production is slick, the performances are tight and strong, and the songs are memorable. They’re definitely an act to pay attention to and follow.”

Owen Mack and the Immaculates will return to Radiant, 100 Vincent Place in Nutley, to open for indie rock due Team (Sunday, 10/26), and to open for Triple Crown Records recording artists From Indian Lakes (Monday, 12/1). Tickets for each show are $12, and are available from Live Nation.