Top row from left: Marc Broussard, SFJAZZ Collective and
Tab Benoit
Bottom row from left: Eddie Palmieri, Bria Skonberg and
Jesse Cook
April is Jazz Appreciation Month!
In celebration of one of America’s earliest and most iconic art forms, join the South Orange Performing Arts Center for 6 Jazz, Rhythm & Blues shows this April. Plus, keep the celebration going all year with even more Jazz, Rhythm & Blues shows at SOPAC.
Marc Broussard
APRIL 1
Marc Broussard’s signature “Bayou
Soul” style and rich voice are influenced by his Louisiana roots and musical
father, a guitarist for the Soul band The Boogie Kings.
Tab Benoit
with
special guest Whiskey Bayou Revue
Opening Artist:
Lightnin Malcolm
APRIL 3
One of the most
impressive guitarists to emerge from the rich Bayous of Louisiana, Tab Benoit’s
guitar tone and his Otis Redding-like voice are iconic.
SFJAZZ Collective
APRIL 7
The SFJAZZ Collective is an award-winning supergroup comprised of nine of the finest performers/composers at work in Jazz today. The current ensemble features Gretchen Parlato on vocals, Martin Luther McCoy on vocals, Chris Potter on saxophones, David Sánchez on saxophones, Etienne Charles on trumpet, Warren Wolf on vibraphone, Edward Simon on keyboards, Matt Brewer on bass and Kendrick Scott on drums.
Jazz in the Loft:
Roseanna Vitro
With Special Guests Houston Person & Danny Bacher
APRIL 10
Grammy-nominated artist Roseanna
Vitro is a renowned vocalist specializing in Jazz. She has toured on every
continent except Antarctica, representing the USA as a Jazz Ambassador for The
US State Department, The Kennedy Center and Lincoln Center. For this
performance, Roseanna Vitro will be joined by special guests Houston Person
(tenor sax), Danny Bacher (vocalist/alto), Allen Farnham (piano), Dean Johnson
(bass) and Alvester Garnett (drums).
Carolyn
Dorfman Dance: Returning to Reconnect
APRIL 23
Carolyn Dorfman
Dance returns to SOPAC for a joyous evening that will have audiences dancing in
their seats. The program includes PRIMA!, a new work in which Dorfman
and her versatile company explore the robust, driving and buoyant sound of Jazz
great Louis Prima and his band.
Blues in the Loft: Alex Tea
APRIL 24
Alex Tea is a
Roots/Reggae songwriter and multi-instrumentalist residing in Jersey City. His
current projects include the band Kiwi, the international collaboration
Orquestra Raiz, and the Jersey City Roots Orchestra.
Eddie Palmieri
Latin Jazz Band
MAY 21
The iconic ten-time Grammy Award winner and NEA Jazz Master skillfully
fuses the rhythm of his Puerto Rican heritage with the complexity of his
influences: Thelonious Monk, Herbie Hancock and McCoy Tyner as well as his
older brother, Charlie Palmieri.
Bria
Skonberg Quartet
JUNE 11
Described as "one of the
most versatile and imposing musicians of her generation" (Wall Street
Journal) and "the shining hope of hot Jazz" (New York Times),
triple threat trailblazer Bria Skonberg is a force to be reckoned with. This
multi-award winning trumpeter, singer and composer combines her signature sound
of fiery trumpet playing and smoky vocals. She blends Jazz, Blues and beyond
with storytelling and adventurous concoctions of classics and soulful
originals.
Jesse Cook: Tempest Tour
II
JUNE 17
Jesse Cook is a
global guitar virtuoso. The international appeal of this accomplished performer
is his style of mixing Flamenco with Classical, Jazz, Zydeco, Blues and
Brazilian samba.
Peabo Bryson
SEPTEMBER 10 (two
shows!)
Dubbed the King
of Balladeers, Peabo Bryson is a two-time Grammy-winning vocalist. This
legendary voice of love offers a timeless mix of Pop, Soul and R&B as only
he can.
The James
Hunter Six
SEPTEMBER 23
British soulman
James Hunter and his gritty, longstanding backing band bring you a sublime
evening of no-nonsense Blues. Given their virtuosity, they have shared the
stage with acts as diverse as Allen Toussaint, Sharon Jones and Van Morrison.
Billie
& Blue Eyes presented by
John
Pizzarelli & Catherine Russell
The
Songs of Frank Sinatra & Billie Holiday
SEPTEMBER 24
John Pizzarelli
and Catherine Russell are a dynamic duo who will transport audiences to the
glory days of Jazz with masterful ease, capturing Holiday’s effortless grace
and Sinatra’s cool swagger.
Hot
Sardines Holiday Stomp
DECEMBER 1
With the Hot
Sardines, experience a raucous, razzle dazzle celebration featuring classic
Jazz and Swing holiday favorites and original tunes performed by the
eight-piece band. Their brassy horn arrangements and rollicking piano melodies
combined with the vocals from a chanteuse will transport listeners to a past
era.
Covid-19:
At this time,
all SOPAC patrons are required to show proof of vaccination, or a negative
Covid-19 test and wear a mask. All current Covid-19 Precautions & Policies
can be found at SOPACnow.org/Covid-19.
About SOPAC:
Since 2006,
SOPAC has been serving as a premier performing arts center in the region. SOPAC
offers innovative artistic and cultural experiences for diverse audiences in an
intimate, inviting environment. The arts center hosts a variety of live
performances, community events and education programs for all ages. SOPAC is
home for Seton Hall University Arts Council’s performances, including the
Classical Concert Series, Jazz ‘N the Hall performances and Seton Hall
University Theatre productions. SOPAC programs are made possible in part by the
National Endowment for the Arts and the New Jersey State Council on the Arts.
The South Orange Performing Arts Center (SOPAC) is a 501(c)(3) charitable
organization. For more information, visit SOPACnow.org.
