Pages

Monday, June 19, 2017

NEW BRUNSWICK JAZZ PROJECT KICKS OFF SUMMER WITH 2 OUTDOOR EVENTS WEDNESDAY AND THURSDAY

alexis showtime crop

The Alexis Morrast Quintet

WHEN: Wednesday June 21, 6:30-8:30 - Seating begins at 5:30.
WHERE:
Rutgers Gardens, 112 Ryders Lane, North Brunswick, NJ (Roy DeBoer Evergreen Garden)
ADMISSION: $5 donation to Rutgers Gardens.
Bring your picnic and chairs/blankets.
Parking on site

Singer/song writer, 16-year-old Alexis Morrast is a native of Newark currently lives in Plainfield, New Jersey. She began singing in church at the age of three, leading her first solo in the adult choir by seven. Since that time Alexis has performed on several stages including the U.S. OPEN in 2013, 2015 Central Jersey Jazz Festival in New Brunswick featuring trumpeter Sean Jones, NJPAC with Christian McBride, Clement’s Place in Newark, South Jazz Parlor – Philadelphia, the APOLLO THEATRE where she won Amateur Night twice and subsequently returned to the show as a special guest. In February 2017 she was chosen WINNER of the nationally televised SHOWTIME at the APOLLO hosted by Steve Harvey. Most recently Alexis performed on Millennium Stage at The KENNEDY CENTER in Washington DC.

tia green smileThe Tia Fuller Quartet

WHEN: Thursday, June 22, 7PM-9PM
WHERE:
The Yard - 40 College Avenue, New Brunswick, NJ
ADMISSION: free
Parking: Gateway Garage- 7 Wall St across from the New Brunswick Train Station
Bring and chairs/blankets.

Alto saxophonist Tia Fuller and her band continue The New Brunswick Jazz Project’s celebration of the arrival of summer. Fuller performs as part of the Summer Evening Serenade Series at The Yard on Rutgers New Brunswick campus.

As a member of the all-female band touring with Beyoncé, Tia has played in venues throughout the US, Europe, Africa, Asia and Australia. Tia appeared with Beyoncé on major television programs including Oprah, Today and the 2010 Grammy Awards and performed for President Obama at the White House. An accomplished leader in her own right, Tia has recorded three CDs with her quartet. Ms. Fuller also tours regularly with many well-known artists including: Terri Lyne Carrington, Esperanza Spalding and Dianne Reeves and has also performed with musical luminaries like Ralph Peterson, Rufus Reid, Geri Allen, Wycliffe Gordon, Chaka Kahn, Ledisi, Jay-Z, Jill Scott, Pattie Labelle, Nona Hendryx, Sheila E, Valerie Simpson, Dionne Warwick, Janelle Monet, Patrice Rushen, Erica Badu and Aretha Franklin. Joining Tia on stage Thursday will be her sister, pianist Shamie Royston, Mimi Jones on bass and drummer Joe Dyson.

“…she molds all of the elements in the modern jazz melting pot to her liking. She is fierce, friendly, cutting, kind and calculating all at once…” ~Dan Bilawsky, All About Jazz

“Fuller has one foot firmly grounded in jazz pedagogy and the other freely stepping forward.” ~ The Wall Street Journal

“…one of the most gifted jazz musicians of her generation.” ~ Ebony

“Tia Fuller has been steadily strengthening her footing as a solo artist.” ~  The New York Times

The New Brunswick Jazz Project, a recognized 501(c)(3) tax-exempt organization, is in its 8th year of presenting multiple world class free jazz performances each week in New Brunswick & other Central Jersey venues.