Randy Sandke kicks off area week in jazz

Thursday, March 26

Barge Music's Jazz Night will feature Randy Sandke and Friends (including Nicki Parrott on bass, and pianist Ted Rosenthal) at 8 p.m.Tickets are $25 regular, $20 senior, $15 student for the show on the barge conveniently moored at the foot of the Brooklyn Bridge in Fulton Ferry Landing, Brooklyn. For reservations and further information, call 718-624-2083 or go to http://www.bargemusic.org/

Guitarist Bucky Pizzarelli will be at Shanghai Jazz in Madison. Check the Web site at www.shanghaijazz.com for details.

The Afro Cuban All Stars, featuring singer and guitarist Juan de Marcos (of "Buena Vista Social Club" fame), will be at the Patriots Theater at The War Memorial in Trenton at 7 p.m. Tickets range from $18 to $45 -- go to www.state.nj.us/state/divisions/memorial/ to get yours.

Friday, March 27

Guitarist Dick Gratton will be at the Chambers Walk Cafe on main Street in Lawrenceville, with sets at 6 p.m. and 9 p.m.

The Watchung Arts Center announces a dedication concert honoring Gerry Niewood and Coleman Mellett, performed by the Sarah Jane Cion Quartet at 8 p.m. The center reports "After learning of the tragic accident that took the lives of two celebrated musicians, Gerry Niewood and Coleman Mellett, it is with great respect that we will be dedicating this performance to their great and lasting memories. Both Mellett and Niewood have played at the Watchung Arts Center and were both to play again; Niewood to play with Cion and Mellett to play with wife Bryson in May. Cion will not be replacing Niewood but will continue on as a Trio. "Sarah Jan Cion, a dynamically spirited pianist, appeared on the NPR radio show "Piano Jazz" with Marian McPartland in 2000. She was the First Place Winner of the 17th Annual Great American Jazz Piano Competition judged by Horace Silver, Kenny Barron, Ellis Marsalis and Benny Green (Jacksonville, FL, 1999). Cion performed in the Kennedy Center's "Women in Jazz Festival" in 1999 and at the Smithsonian Institute's Voice of America Stage in Washington, D.C. in 2001. She has performed with Clark Terry, Etta Jones, Bucky Pizzarelli, Anita O'Day among many others." Tickets for the event are $20 ($18 if you're a member of the arts center).

Javon Jackson will bring his band to Shanghai Jazz for shows Friday and Saturday. The saxophone star has a new CD out, so this should be a great show.

Saturday, March 28

The Princeton High School Jazz Festival begins at 2 p.m. at the school. Enjoy local young musicians, then catch Tierney Sutton at 7 p.m. Tierney Sutton Tickets are on sale now -- $20 for adults, $15 for students and seniors.

New Jersey-based jazz vocalist and songwriter Laura Hull will appear at Stone House at Stirling Ridge at 7:30 p.m. Joining her is master jazz accordionist Eddie Monteiro. Stone House at Stirling Ridge is located at 50 Stirling Road in Warren.
Ms. Hull has been described as a savvy jazz stylist with a distinct sound. Her music is drawn from an extensive repertoire of American popular songs, jazz standards, obscure gems, and her original music. Noted Jazz Café host John Bohannon at WRHU Radio in Hempstead, NY says "We're lucky to have a performer such as Laura Hull who has the style and grace to keep this great American music alive."
In addition to her ensemble known as Laura Hull & Her Jazz Gems, she is a member of the Fun Bunch Big Band and serves as featured guest with noted bassist-composer Jon Burr’s 3 For All Trio, among others. Recent appearances include New York City’s Metropolitan Room, Pennsylvania’s Historic Gettysburg Festival, and Trumpets Jazz. Her latest CD, "Take Me Home," has garnered excellent reviews and major radio play. In addition, Ms. Hull recently released "LauRio Live!" a compilation of live performances with pianist Rio Clemente, with whom she has collaborated since 2006.
She'll also be hosting next week's New Jersey Jazz Society Evening of Jazz at Raritan Valley Community College.
Further more information about Ms. Hull, please visit www.LauraHull.com.
For additional information about Stone House, visit www.stonehouseatstirlingridge.com or call 908-754-1222.

Dick Gratton makes his regular appearance at Hightstown's Sunday Jazz Brunch at Bistro Soleil, 173 Mercer St. Sets at 11 a.m. and 3 p.m. The Somerset Jazz Consortium hosts a jam session from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. every Sunday at PJ's Coffee on Raritan Avenue in Highland Park.

Sunday March 29

The 10-piece Beacon Hill Jazz Band will be at the Watchung Arts Center at 3 p.m. Tickets are $16, $13 for members and $8 for students. Tickets can be purchased on line for this concert by going to http://www.watchungarts.org/

Tuesday, March 31

Rhythms of the Night hosts one part of the Somerset Jazz Consortium at 7 p.m. (there's no cover!), while other members of the consortium head to the Home Town Buffet on Route 1 in Edison for a jam session from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. (Musicians: Check out the rules of the road for the sessions before going -- it's here).

Shanghai jazz in Madison will feature pianist Tomoko Ohno, of the Dizzy Gillespie Alumni All-Stars, and the Diva, All-Women Band. Shows at 6:30 p.m. and 8:30 p.m.

Thursday, April 2

New Jersey Jazz Society presents the Rowan University Lanb Band and Big Band at Pfeeger Concert Hall at 8 p.m. -- it's a free show!

Saturday, April 4

The New Jersey Jazz Society is hosting an "Evening of Jazz" featuring Five Play, Vocalist Frank Noviello, Rio Clemente, and Mark O'Connor and His Hot Swing Trio at the Theatre at Raritan Valley Community College (RVCC).
Tickets are $20 and $25 and are available at the RVCC Box Office, click here to order tickets; or by calling 908 218-8867. Music committee chair, and vocalist, Laura Hull, will serve as host for Night of Jazz.

Make your plans now: McCarter Theater in Princeton will host the Blue Note All-Stars April 6, for the Blue Note 70th Anniversary. Performers include Bill Charlap, Peter Bernstein, Ravi Coltrane, Lewis Nash, Nicholas Payton, Peter Washington and Steve Wilson. Could you ask for anything more?