The New Brunswick Jazz Project regularly includes female musicians in their scheduled events, but in celebration of Women’s History Month, for the past four years, NBJP dedicates March to showcasing jazz performances featuring women band leaders. The NBJP Fourth Annual Women in Jazz Series kicks off 6:30 PM on Saturday March 1, at Alfa Galley with a free showing of the film The Girls in the Band, an award winning documentary about early 20th century women jazz musicians. Alfa Gallery will also open an exhibit of photographs and paintings of female jazz artists. After the film, there will be a performance by trombonist/vocalist, Emily Asher and her Endangered Species Band.
The Series will consist of twelve performances held at The Hyatt, Makeda, Sophie’s Bistro and Tumulty’s where the Emerging Artist Series (jazz student musicians) will also be led by women.
Since April 2010, the New Brunswick Jazz Project has been dedicated to sustaining the legacy of this uniquely American music form in the New Brunswick area. New Brunswick is, and has been for many years, a cultural hub, but until 2010, there were no regular opportunities to enjoy jazz locally. NBJP hosts events weekly and has presented over 750 shows in downtown New Brunswick featuring both regional and internationally acclaimed jazz artists.
The organization founded and run by Jim Lenihan, Virginia DeBerry and Michael Tublin, has been honored by New Brunswick City Market for outstanding arts programming. The Star Ledger called them “The freshest jazz presenters in the state.” NBJP accomplishments have also been lauded in The Home News, The Courier News, The Asbury Park Press, Inside Jersey Magazine, NJ Monthly, New Jersey Jazz Society Magazine and Rutgers University’s Daily Targum.
