Jazz in Jersey City Friday

If you've a taste for jazz delivered fresh, head to Casa Dante in Jersey City, Friday. Laura Hull will be joining Vic Juris and Steve LaSpina for a set starting at 7:30 p.m.
If you've not heard Ms. Hull, be sure to visit her website; ditto for Mr. Juris, one of the best guitarists in the area. They should make a great combination.Ms. Hull is not only one of New Jersey's busiest performers, she's also the current president of the New Jersey Jazz Society.
Casa Dante is at 737 Newark Ave.

Winter treats

Thursday, Jan. 7
The Eric Mintel Quartet will perform 8 p.m. to 10 p.m. every Thursday night through January at Mediterra, on Hulfish Street in Princeton. If you can’t make it out for the Thursday night jazz offering, stop in on Wednesday for Patty Cronheim.

A few years ago, I fell under the spell of tenorist Virginia Mayhew’s Sandan Shuffle. She’s a strong presence on the horn, and when accompanied by such all stars as Harvie S. and Victor Jones, it’s a potent combination. Now, she’s leading the Ellington Legacy Band – catch her and Ellington’s Legacy 7:30 p.m. tonight at Trumpets in Montclair.

Friday, Jan. 8
Dick Gratton returns to the Chambers Walk Café in Lawrenceville, playing from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. He’ll head to the Farnsworth House in Bordentown, Jan. 9.

Champian Fulton is headlining tonight at the Hibiscus Restaurant in the Morristown Inn, playing from 7 p.m. to 10 p.m.

Laura Hull will be at The Adam Todd Restaurant at Cranberry Lake (Route 206 in Andover) from 7 p.m. to 10 p.m. There’s no cover but a $20 minimum. Call 973-347-4004 for reservations.

Saturday, Jan. 9
Gordon James, Jose Loo, Chris Plunkett and Al Johnson will heat up Saturday night at the Salt Creek Grille in Forrestal Village (Princeton) from 7 to 11 p.m. If you prefer a more intimate setting, Gordon, Jose, Al and Mark Peterson will be at Flat 5 Records and Entertainment, 10 Throckmorton Ave. in Eatontown, Jan. 10. Gordon says, “This is a truly unique place, with a living room type atmosphere. It's also a music school and they do a great deal of community work for the underprivileged.” Admission to the show will be $10, and food will be served at $5 a plate. Check out www.flat5records.com for more information.

Andre Mutcherson is this week’s guest will visit the Candlelight Lounge, 24 Passaic St. in Trenton, for the Jazz Disciples. Music starts at 3 p.m.

The spirit and music of Benny Goodman will be enjoyed at the Somerset County Vocational Technical School, 14 Vogt Dr. in Bridgewater, from 8 p.m. to 10 p.m., with Joe Midiri and the Midiri Brothers Orchestra. Tickets are $20 and $25.

Sunday, Jan. 10
Pam Purvis, Bob Ackerman and Matt Chertkoff are at Cecil’s in West Orange at 5:30 p.m.

Monday, Jan. 11
Jim Jasion and His Jazz (the Somerset Jazz Consortium Horn Squad) will be at Home Town Buffet, 561 US Highway 1, Edison, beginning at 6 p.m.

Tuesday, Jan. 12
Fill up on the “High Octane Jazz” at The Witherspoon Grill, 57 Witherspoon St., Princeton, starting at 6 p.m. that will be offered by John Sheridan (on guitar), Art Stephano (bass) and Mike Ipri (drums). "The Brothers Grim" trio, as they are billed on their Web site, are part of Philadelphia’s Sixth Street Quaternion.
Betty Liste will be at the Hibiscus Restaurant from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. tonight.

The Somerset Jazz Consortium jam session lead by Jim Jasion has moved to the Subterranean Recording Studios in Edison. Call Jim if you’re interested in joining -- 732-325-7464.

Wednesday, Jan. 13
Patty Cronheim is back at Princeton’s Mediterra. She’ll be performing every Wednesday from 8 p.m. to 10 p.m. this month.

The Somerset Jazz Consortium Second Generation Band will be at Home Town Buffet on Route 1 in Edison, beginning at 6 p.m.

Vocalist Margie Notte lights up Libretti’s Restaurant, 554 Orange St. in Orange, at 7 p.m. Wednesdays.

Princeton University’s University Jazz Vespers Ensemble will perform in University Chapel at 8 p.m. The show is free, but you can get tickets (just to be sure) here.

Coming up: It’s not too early to make sure you’ve got a good seat at the Monterey Jazz Festival on Tour show set for 7:30 p.m. Feb. 17 at Princeton’s McCarter Theater. The tickets to see The Kenny Barron Trio, Regina Carter, Kurt Elling and Russell Malone start at $42. Think there will be a better bargain this year?

Hot jazz for cold nights

THe new year is starting right, for local jazz fans: Princeton's Mediterra has jazz each Wednesday and Thursday night through the month, and local favorites are returning to regular schedules.

Friday, Jan. 1
Start your New Year with jazz singer Laura Hull, who's appearing at the Hibiscus Restaurant in the Morristown Inn for tonight's Jazz Fridays presentation. She picks up the microphone at 7 p.m.

Saturday, Jan. 2

Altoist Julian Pressley will visit the Candlelight Lounge, 24 Passaic St. in Trenton, for this week’s meeting of the Jazz Disciples. Stop by at 3 p.m. to enjoy.

Eryn Shewell is having a CD release party at the Havana Restaurant in New Hope, Pa., at 2 p.m. Her music covers a lot of territory, including references to jazz and the Great American Songbook.

Sunday, Jan. 3
Jonathan Russell is 14-years-old, and when he plays the violin, the New York Times says, “he embraces his instrument and enters a private cocoon, where he conjures sophisticated improvisations on the melodies of jazz standards.” You can catch him at the Maplewood Women's Club at 60 Woodland Road, Maplewood, at 2 p.m. Call the club at 973-762-9877 for more information.

Pam Purvis, Bob Ackerman and Matt Chertkoff will be at Cecil’s in West Orange at 5:30 p.m.

Monday, Jan. 4
Jim Jasion and His Jazz (the Somerset Jazz Consortium Horn Squad) will be at Home Town Buffet, 561 US Highway 1, Edison, beginning at 6 p.m.

Tuesday, Jan. 5
The Somerset Jazz Consortium jam session lead by Jim Jasion has moved to the Subterranean Recording Studios in Edison. Call Jim if you’re interested in joining -- 732-325-7464.

Wednesday, Jan. 6
Patty Cronheim is back at Princeton’s Mediterra, on Hulfish Street. She’ll be performing every Wednesday from 8 p.m. to 10 p.m. this month.

The Somerset Jazz Consortium Second Generation Band will be at Home Town Buffet on Route 1 in Edison, beginning at 6 p.m.

Vocalist Margie Notte lights up Libretti’s Restaurant, 554 Orange St. in Orange, at 7 p.m. Wednesdays.


Thursday, Jan. 7
The Eric Mintel Quartet will perform 8 p.m. to 10 p.m. every Thursday night through January at Mediterra.

Friday, Jan. 8

Dick Gratton returns to the Chambers Walk Café in Lawrenceville, playing from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. He’ll head to the Farnsworth House in Bordentown, Jan. 9.

Holiday jazz on tap

There's a great list of events to enjoy this week, while you're basking in the glow of the holidays. Get out and enjoy live music.

Saturday, Dec. 26
Guitarist B.D. Lenz and his quartet (which includes James Rosocha, Abe Fogle and Geoff Mattoon) will be at Triumph Brewery in Princeton for a late-night show. The music begins at 10 p.m. -- take advantage of the low, low $5 cover and enjoy.

Philadelphian Orrin Evans will appear at this week's meeting of the Jazz Disciples at 3 p.m. at the Candlelight Lounge, 24 Passaic St. in Trenton. Next week, it's altoist Julian Pressley.

Monday, Dec. 28
Jim Jasion and His Jazz (the Somerset Jazz Consortium Horn Squad) will be at Home Town Buffet, 561 US Highway 1, Edison, beginning at 6 p.m.

Tuesday, Dec. 29
The Somerset Jazz Consortium jam session lead by Jim Jasion has moved to the Subterranean Recording Studios in Edison. Call Jim if you’re interested in joining -- 732-325-7464.

Wednesday, Dec. 30
The Somerset Jazz Consortium Second Generation Band will be at Home Town Buffet on Route 1 in Edison, beginning at 6 p.m.

Vocalist Margie Notte lights up Libretti’s Restaurant, 554 Orange St. in Orange, at 7 p.m. Wednesdays.

Thursday, Dec. 31
Rio Clemente will join this year's First Night-Morris County non-alcoholic New Year's celebration in Morristown, performing at 9:45 p.m. and 11 p.m. at the Morristown High School, Early Street and Atno Avenue, Morristown. Tickets are $25 and can be ordered here.

Friday, Jan. 1
Start your New Year with jazz singer Laura Hull, who's appearing at the Hibiscus Restaurant in the Morristown Inn for tonight's Jazz Fridays presentation. She picks up the microphone at 7 p.m.

Saturday, Jan. 2
Eryn Shewell mixes genres for an interesting blend of styles -- she's having a CD release party at the Havana Restaurant in New Hope, Pa., at 2 p.m.

Sunday, Jan. 3
Jonathan Russell is 14-years-old, and when he plays the violin, the New York Times says, “he embraces his instrument and enters a private cocoon, where he conjures sophisticated improvisations on the melodies of jazz standards.” You can catch him at the Maplewood Women's Club at 60 Woodland Road, Maplewood, at 2 p.m. Call the club at 973-762-9877 for more information.

Autumn leaves

Thursday, Nov. 12
Vinnie Rome entertains at Limelight, 812 N. Easton Road in Doylestown, this weekend, 6 p.m. to 11 p.m. nightly.

John Henry Goldman and friends will be at Looking Glass Studio, 800 Alexander Road in Princeton. Come and listen at 6:45 p.m., 7:45 p.m. or 8:45 p.m. The suggested donation of $5 helps defray some of the expenses at the studio. Send John a note if you need more info: johnhenrygoldman@straightjazz.com, or call 609-610-1655. If Thursday nights aren’t good for you, check out his Saturday night gig.

Rio Clemente is at the Bernards Inn tonight from 7 p.m. to 10 p.m.

Friday, Nov. 13

Guitarist Dick Gratton will perform at the Chambers Walk Café, 2667 Main St., in Lawrenceville, from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m.

Here’s a great idea — go to the Starlight Lounge at the Hopewell Inn tonight and enjoy Lynn Randall at 7 p.m. tonight. Then, tomorrow, pop in the CD every attending will receive and enjoy her singing all over again.

Jane Stuart and Ted Broncado will be at Morristown's Hibiscus Restaurant, performing from 7 p.m. to 10 p.m. The restaurant is in the Morristown Inn, at the intersection of Madison Avenue and South Street.

The Marriott in Trenton, 1 West Lafayette, will have live jazz from 5:30
p.m. to 8:30 p.m.

Saturday, Nov. 14
Trumpeter Curtis Taylor will preach to the choir of Trenton’s Jazz Disciples, at 3 p.m. in the Candlelight Lounge, 24 Passaic St.

Laura Hull’s monthly gig at Ponte Vecchio is set for 6:30-9:30 p.m. Nov. 14. She’ll be appearing with Eddie Monteiro (on jazz accordion) and guitarist Vinnie Corrao stepping in after the recent death of Lenny Argese. Ponte Vecchio in the Best Western Murray Hill Inn, at 535 Central Ave., New Providence. Call 908-464-4424 for more information. She returns to Morristown’s Hibiscus Room next week.

The John Bianculli Jazz Trio performs at 7:30 p.m. on Saturdays nights at Makeda Ethiopian Restaurant, 338 George St., New Brunswick.

Sunday, Nov. 15
The jazz faculty of Princeton University will present “Composing in the Moment: A Concert of Original Works," at 3 p.m. in Richardson Auditorium in Alexander Hall. Featured performers include Ralph Bowen (tenor and soprano saxophones), Bruce Arnold (guitar), Michael Cochrane (piano), Brian Glassman (acoustic bass), John Arrucci (percussion), and Anthony D.J. Branker (composer). Admission is $15 general public, $5 students — call 609-258-9220 or order online at www.princeton.edu/utickets

The Somerset Jazz Consortium jam session at PJ's Coffee on Raritan Avenue in Highland Park is a great place to meet musicians – or join the band. They play from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. every Sunday.

Monday, Nov. 16
Jim Jasion and His Jazz (the Somerset Jazz Consortium Horn Squad) will be at Home Town Buffet, 561 US Highway 1, Edison, beginning at 6 p.m.

Tuesday, Nov. 17
The Somerset Jazz Consortium jam session lead by Jim Jasion has moved to the Subterranean Recording Studios in Edison. Call Jim if you’re interested in joining -- 732-325-7464.

Wednesday, Nov. 18
The Somerset Jazz Consortium Second Generation Band will be at Home Town Buffet on Route 1 in Edison, beginning at 6 p.m.

Vocalist Margie Notte lights up Libretti’s Restaurant, 554 Orange St. in Orange, at 7 p.m. Wednesdays.

Coming up
The Eric Mintel Quartet will bring its version of “cool jazz” to Crossing Vineyards and Winery, 1853 Wrightstown Road in Washington Crossing, Pa., from 8 to 10 p.m. Nov. 20, the second program in the winery’s new fall offering –“All That Jazz.” The Quartet - Mintel on piano, Nelson Hill on alto and soprano sax and flute, Dave Antonow on electric bass, and Dave Mohn on drums - will perform at the winery. Cost of the evening is $20; wine and cheese will be available for purchase. Tickets may be purchased online at www.crossingvineyards.com or by calling 215-493-6500, ext. 19.

No tricks, but lots of treats

This is a great weekend for jazz lovers in Central New Jersey -- lots of venues with great music through the week.

Thursday, Oct. 29

Crooner Vinnie Rome entertains at Limelight, 812 N. Easton Road in Doylestown, this weekend, 6 p.m. to 11 p.m. nightly.

John Henry Goldman and friends Thursday nights at
Looking Glass Studio, 800 Alexander Road in Princeton, are going strong. Come and listen at 6:45 p.m., 7:45 p.m. or 8:45 p.m. The suggested donation of $5 helps defray some of the expenses at the studio. Send John a note if you need more info: johnhenrygoldman@straightjazz.com, or call 609-610-1655.

Rio Clemente is at the Bernards Inn tonight from 7 p.m. to 10 p.m.

Friday, Oct. 30
Dick Gratton returns to Chambers Walk Café in Lawrenceville from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. He’ll be playing original arrangements – it’s sure to be packed so call 609-896-5995 to make your reservations.

Happy hour at Hopewell Valley Vineyards will include the Upper Princeton Swing Collective …

Steve Turre takes his quartet and his trombone to Shanghai Jazz for shows tonight and tomorrow night.

The Meg Hanson Group is at Salt Creek Grille in Forrestal Village 7 p.m. to 10 p.m. tonight.

The Marriott in Trenton, 1 West Lafayette, will have live jazz from 5:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.

The John Bianculli Jazz Trio with Jackie Jones will be at Christopher’s, in the Heldrich Hotel in New Brunswick, at 8:30 p.m.

Saturday, Oct. 31
Ronnie Burrage (check out his bio) will be at the Candlelight Lounge, 24 Passaic St., Trenton, for this week’s Jazz Disciples meeting at 3 p.m.

The John Bianculli Jazz Trio moves to Steakhouse 85 on Church Street in Metuchen tonight, playing from 7 p.m. to 11 p.m.

Sunday, Nov. 1
You can catch Jerry Topinka at the Salt Creek Grille from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. for the Jazz Brunch.

The Somerset Jazz Consortium jam session at PJ's Coffee on Raritan Avenue in Highland Park is a great place to meet musicians – or join the band. They play from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. every Sunday.

Cecil’s Jazz Club, 364 Valley Road, West Orange, will feature Pam Purvis and Matt Chertkoff at its Jazz Social at 5:30 p.m.

Monday, Nov. 2
Jim Jasion and His Jazz (the Somerset Jazz Consortium Horn Squad) will be at Home Town Buffet, 561 US Highway 1, Edison, beginning at 6 p.m.

Tuesday, Nov. 3
The Somerset Jazz Consortium jam session lead by Jim Jasion has moved to the Subterranean Recording Studios in Edison. Call Jim if you’re interested in joining -- 732-325-7464.

Wednesday, Nov. 4
BD Lenz will be at Mediterra in Princeton at 8 p.m. If you like what you hear here, be sure to catch him.

The Somerset Jazz Consortium Second Generation Band will be at Home Town Buffet on Route 1 in Edison, beginning at 6 p.m.

Vocalist Margie Notte lights up Libretti’s Restaurant, 554 Orange St. in Orange, at 7 p.m. Wednesdays.

Thursday, Nov. 5
Herb Alpert and singer Lani Hall will perform at 8 p.m. at McCarter Theater, and at 7:30 p.m. Nov. 6 at Kean University’s Wilkins Theatre.

Coming up
Laura Hull will be moving into a new post as president of the New Jersey Jazz Society, but first she's got a date at the Herb Eckert Auditorium, 540 Ridge Road, in
Monmouth Junction, for 8 p.m. to 10 p.m. Nov. 6. Admission is just $5 - call 732-329-4000 to reserve a spot.

Bassist Lisle Atkinson and pianist Richard Wyands will join Steve Rozek (tenor sax), Mike Ipri (drums) and John Henry Goldman (trumpet) for two special shows 6 p.m. and 8:45 p.m. Nov. 7 at the Looking Glass Pond Studio, 800 Alexander, Princeton Junction. For a special Conversations in Jazz. For information and reservations, call 609-610-1655, or e-mail johnhenrygoldman@straightjazz.com.

Hopewell’s Starlight Room added a couple of extra dates for jazz in November, and will feature Stringzville’s mix of jazz standards with a bit of Gypsy Jazz and Bossa Nova, 7 pm to 9:30 pm. Nov. 7.

Feast on this

After two weeks out of state, it's great to be back in time for a weekend of jazz. We've not only got a full slate of great jazz performances in the clubs (and the South Brunswick Library), but two open air festivals, the Princeton Jazz Feast Saturday and Sunday's Somerville Jazz Festival.
There are great acts to see at both: Roomful of Blues and the Marlene Verplanck Group are in Princeton, with Alan Dale and the New Legacy Jazz Band and the Smith Street Society. The Feast runs from noon to 6 p.m.
Sunday's Somerville event is going to be just as great: Jimmy Heath gets top billing, but the event also features The Gretchen Parlato Band, Harry Allen Quartet and Sherman Irby’s “Organomics.” It's been produced by WBGO's Sheila Anderson. The festival runs from 1 p.m. to 6 p.m. on the lawn of the Historic Somerset Courthouse -- for more, check www.FindSomerville.com.

Thursday, Sept. 10
Rio Clemente will be at Mullberries Bar and Grille, with Mr. Muzzy and his Melliferous Tones … 7 p.m. to 10 p.m. Mulberries is at 158 Market St., Elmwood Park. Call the bar at 201-475-5700 for further information. Rio will be at Armando's Italian Restaurant, 144 Main St. in Ft. Lee, with bassist Jerry Bruno from 7:30 p.m. to 10 p.m. Saturday.

Trumpeter Ted Curson hosts Trumpets Jazz Club’s Thursday night jam session, if you’re looking to get out of your woodshed. For more information, click here.

Friday, Sept. 11
The Sixth Street Quaternion will close out Crossing Vineyards’ Summer under the Starts Music series at 7 p.m. It’s $10 to go, or $25 with the food buffet. Make your reservations here. They’ll be playing selections from their new new CD “Summer Nights” – which includes the track “Wine Me, Dine Me.” Almost sounds as if written for the date, doesn’t it?

The Marriott in Trenton, 1 West Lafayette, will have live jazz from 5:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.

Saturday, Sept. 12

The Jazz Disciples program at the Candlelight Lounge, 24 Passaic St. in Trenton features local hero Richie Cole. The program starts at 2 p.m. – go and get yourself some alto madness…

The South Brunswick Library won’t be quiet at 7 p.m. tonight, when the Andy Rothstein Band performs. The library describes guitarist Andy Rothstein as melding Stevie Ray Vaughn, Pat Martino and “The
Edge” from U2. With him will be Chris Bacas on saxophone, Steve Jankowski on trumpet, Tony Senatore on bass, and Luther Rix on drums.

Sunday, Sept. 13
Laura Hull headlines at Shanghai Jazz tonight, with Tomoko Ohno on piano. Call 973-822-2899 to get your tickets. Learn more about Laura at www.LauraHull.com

The Salt Creek Grille in Forrestal Village jazz brunch with live music runs from 11 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.

The Somerset Jazz Consortium jam session at PJ's Coffee on Raritan Avenue in Highland Park is a great place to meet musicians – or join the band. They play from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. every Sunday.

The New Jersey Jazz Society member social scheduled for 3 p.m. to 6 p.m. at Shanghai Jazz Club will feature the Baby Soda Jazz Band with Ed Polcer, who will talk about the pleasure of working with the young lions of jazz and offer some thoughts of what it's like to work with a seasoned and accomplished player. According to the NJJS Web site, “Baby Soda is on the cutting edge of a new movement loosely known as street jazz; with an eclectic set of influences ranging from New Orleans brass bands, jug music, southern gospel and hot jazz. The ensemble doesn't desire to recreate the past, rather they bring the concept and joy of the music to the present.” You don’t have to be a member to go – but it helps – find out more at www.njjs.org.

Monday, Aug. 24
Jim Jasion and His Jazz (the Somerset Jazz Consortium Horn Squad) will be at Home Town Buffet, 561 US Highway 1, Edison, beginning at 6 p.m.

Tuesday, Aug. 25
The Somerset Jazz Consortium jam session lead by Jim Jasion has moved to the Subterranean Recording Studios in Edison. Call Jim if you’re interested in joining -- 732-325-7464.

Wednesday, Aug. 26
The Somerset Jazz Consortium Second Generation Band will be at Home Town Buffet on Route 1 in Edison, beginning at 6 p.m.