Make a mighty wind to blow away the storm

There's a winter storm heading our way -- but let's hope it spares us: there's too many wonderful opportunities for great music.
Start with a special appearance by uber-bassist Michael Manring at the Morristown Unitarian Fellowship, 21 Normandy Heights Road, Morristown. The concert will begin at 8 p.m. Feb. 4. It's being presented The Folk Project, a non-profit organization promoting acoustic music in Northern New Jersey. Admission will be $20 at the door -- and if you've seen Manring play, you'll know he's worth it.


Advance tickets may be purchased before the show for $15 at www.folkproject.org. For further information, contact Pam Robinson at concerts@folkproject.org or 908-591-6491.

Thursday, Feb. 4

Rio Clemente will be at The Bernards Inn, 27 Mine Brook Road 7 p.m.- 10 p.m. tonight.

How about a rematch of Jazz vs. the Space Tiger? Head to BT Bistro on Route 1 in West Windsor for the opening round at 9 p.m. It’s an acid-jazz title fight …

Al Oliver and Gerry Groves will perform on sax and flute, respectively, at Nick’s Café 72, on West Upper Ferry Road in West Trenton, 7:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m.

It’s Jazz Night at Princeton University’s Café Vivian, in the Frist Campus Center. Come out at 11:30 p.m. to hear the Princeton University Jazz Program. Anthony D.J. Branker will be directing.


Friday, Feb. 5
The John Bianculli Trio and vocalist Jackie Jones will be at
Christopher’s at the Heldrich Hotel, 10 Livingston Ave. in New Brunswick. There’s no cover for the music, offered from 8:30 p.m. to midnight. The trio heads to Steakhouse 85 in New Brunswick tomorrow ...

Dick Gratton returns to Chambers Walk Café in Lawrenceville tonight, from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m.

Lauren Hooker is known for her arrangements of standards that utilize her three-octave range for best effect. Hear and see her at the Hibiscus Restaurant in the Morristown Inn, from 7 p.m. to 10 p.m.

Pam Purvis is headlining at the Hibiscus

The Franklin-Alison Jazz Quartet will be at the Salt Creek Grille from 7 p.m. to 10 p.m.

Saturday, Feb. 6
Jim Stewart will be this week’s featured jazz disciple at the Candlelight Lounge, 24 Passaic St. in Trenton, today. Music starts at 3 p.m.

Dick Gratton returns to Bordentown’s Farnsworth House, from 7 p.m. to 10 p.m.

Eryn Shewell will be at The Shoppes at the Arcade in Asbury Park at 6 p.m. Feb. 6. She’s coming to Small World Coffee in Princeton next week.

Lauren Hooker will perform at Lounge Zen, 254 DeGraw Ave. in Teaneck, 7:30-9:30 p.m. Feb .6
There’s a $10 minimum; call 201-692-1002 to make your reservations.

Black Diamond Jazz, the collaboration of guitarist James Popik, bass player Mark Amentt, and Kartikkeya on drums and percussion, will blend bebop, blues, Americana and World Jazz at Princeton’s Small World Coffee at 8:30 p.m. Small World calls it “Scofield meets Metheny meets Dharma” Jazz.

Sunday, Feb. 7
Pam Purvis, Bob Ackerman and Matt Chertkoff are at Cecil’s in West Orange at 5:30 p.m.

Monday, Feb. 8
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, Feb. 9
Sarah Jane Cion entertains at the Hibiscus Restaurant Tuesday from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m.

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, Feb. 10
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 entertains at Libretti’s Restaurant, 554 Orange St. in Orange, at 7 p.m. Wednesdays.