“Jazz is about being in the moment.” – Herbie Hancock

Music has the ability to conjure up the deepest emotions in people, helping us to process emotions we may not otherwise be able to express. It takes us on journeys to far off places, helping us escape the cold office cubicle (hello Women’s Winter!)  even if it’s just for a brief time.

Then there’s jazz.

Jazz is about spontaneity. Traditionally, a jazz group will begin by playing the main melody (a collective sequence of notes in harmonized music). Musicians take turns improvising variations based on this melody, ending by returning to the original melody. A jazz song can be very different each time it’s played (even by the same musicians), making it so unlike any other type of music.

The Central Jersey Jazz Festival is a FREE Three-Day, Three-City, Three-County All Star Jazz Festival in Flemington, New Brunswick/Metuchen, and Somerville, NJ.