“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 taking place September 10-12 in Flemington, New Brunswick/Metuchen, and Somerville, NJ.

Friday’s Schedule
The first day of the Central Jersey Jazz Fest will begin in Flemington at the historic Stangl Road in Flemington’s Artisans District.

7:00 to 8:15pm – Charles Turner Quartet
8:15 to 8:45pm – Artist to be announced soon
8:45 to 10:00pm – Davell Crawford, “The Prince of New Orleans”

Saturday’s Schedule
The second day of the Central Jersey Jazz Fest will take place in at 11 Livingston Street in front of the New Brunswick Performing Arts Center (NBPAC).

1:00 to 2:15pm – Emily Braden Quartet
2:15 to 2:45pm – New Brunswick Jazz Project Brass
2:45 to 4:00pm – Mark Whitfield Quartet
4:00 to 4:30pm – New Brunswick Jazz Project Brass
4:30 to 6:00pm – Terell Stafford Quintet

Town Plaza at New and Pearl Streets in Metuchen:

6:00-7:00pm – Family Jazz Education Class with Riza Printup and Members of Printup Quintet
7:00-8:00pm – Metuchen High School Jazz Ensemble with Band Director John Messenger
8:00-9:00pm – Marcus Printup Quintet featuring Riza Printup

Sunday’s Schedule
The Central Jersey Jazz Fest will end right here in Somerset County – in Downtown Somerville at the County Historic Courthouse Green.

3:00 to 4:00pm – Dara Tucker
4:15 to 4:45 – Artist will be announced soon
4:45 to 6:00pm – Orrin Evans Quartet