FINAL WEEK OF 15th Annual March Women in Jazz!

 

nbjp.org Welcome to our 15th Annual "MARCH WOMEN IN JAZZ" MONTH!   All month long we will present INCREDIBLE WOMEN MUSICIANS leading their ensembles and delivering memorable performances. It has been a long struggle for recognition for women jazz musicians but more and more have risen to the top thanks to the talented, brave pioneers who preceded them. We are happy and fortunate to be able to dedicate our March performances to women bandleaders once again.       Jazz Up Your Week: Don't Miss Out!   Calling all jazz lovers! Get ready to groove at this week's performances!   Every Tuesday from 7PM-10PM, we present our "Emerging Artists'" Series. These are students who are part of a jazz program at one of the tri-state region's colleges and universities, or young musicians at the beginning of their jazz careers. The band's performance is followed by an open jam session. No Cover Charge!     Upstairs-Emerging Artists TUESDAY: March 25 Kristin Field Quartet     The NBJP Emerging Artists Series is your chance to see the future of jazz! These shows are devoted to introducing student musicians from university jazz programs in the region as well as young musicians at the beginning of their jazz careers to new audiences. These events also provide opportunities for them to hone their performance skills beyond school related presentations. It’s their night. Each hour-long performance is followed by an open jam session. Over the years we have cultivated a group of fine young musicians, who have gone on to work professionally around the world.     On Thursdays with sets at 7 & 8:45PM, our "Main Stage" performances feature first-class professional jazz musicians who have played at some of the most prominent jazz clubs and festivals in the world and have recorded with the genre's best known legends... some of whom are still with us, others who have left us tremendous legacies and an unparalleled body of work.   THESE PERFORMANCES ARE FREE!   ". . .New Brunswick has now become a destination for jazz."  ~ The New York Times   DOWNSTAIRS-MAIN-STAGE THURSDAY March 27 - Akiko Tsuruga Quartet   Erena Terakubo Raised in Osaka, Japan, this talented musician began studying the organ at the age of three, at the famed Yamaha Music School. After discovering her passion for jazz very early on in her musical journey, Akiko launched her career immediately after graduating from the Osaka College of Music. While living and playing in Osaka, she had many opportunities to perform with world-renowned jazz musicians from the United States. Meeting Grady Tate, in particular, was a life-changing event for Akiko. After landing in the mecca for jazz, New York City, it didn’t take long for Akiko to make her mark – It was during these early years that she had the great pleasure of sitting in, playing gigs, and eventually recording with jazz greats such as Frank Wess, Jimmy Cobb, Grady Tate and other top NY musicians. Her reputation ultimately drew attention of Lou Donaldson as he chose her in 2006 as his quartet’s organist. But it was the meeting of organ legend Dr. Lonnie Smith that proved to have the greatest impact on Akiko’s musical development and career. He became an important mentor to Akiko, and she considers him her greatest influence. She flourished and continued to be a constant draw on the worldwide jazz scene. To Learn more about Akiko click here.