State Theatre New Jersey

Samara Joy has emerged as one of the most captivating new voices in jazz, bringing a fresh perspective to a beloved tradition. With a sound that feels both rooted in history and uniquely her own, she has quickly drawn the attention of audiences and critics alike. Experience the artistry, warmth, and unmistakable brilliance of a true rising icon—live and in person. A native of the Bronx, Joy became entranced by classic R&B as a child and cut her teeth as a singer in her church’s gospel choir. And while her family history is deeply musical—her grandparents helmed the Philadelphia gospel group the Savettes, and her father, the musician and songwriter Antonio McLendon, has produced, composed, and arranged his own astounding original work—she didn’t delve into the jazz tradition until college at SUNY Purchase. During her studies there she won the 2019 Sarah Vaughan International Jazz Vocal Competition, which introduced her to the larger jazz scene as a rising star to watch. She was heard, by audiences and critics alike, as a masterful interpreter of jazz standards and a rightful heiress of the sound, technique and charisma that defined her jazz heroines—including Vaughan, Betty Carter, Abbey Lincoln, and Carmen McRae. Joy

It’s a completely singular experience to be in the room and watch real people take the mic and share unforgettable stories from their own lives. Join us for one night at State Theatre New Jersey as The Moth returns to share true, personal stories exploring the night's theme. Five storytellers. One Mic. One night to remember. About The Moth The Moth is a global nonprofit organization that believes in connecting humanity through the power of personal storytelling. Since its launch in 1997, The Moth has presented over 65,000 stories, told live and without notes, to standing-room-only crowds worldwide. The Moth produces 600+ live shows annually, as well as the Peabody Award-winning The Moth Radio Hour, and the popular The Moth Podcast. You can listen to The Moth weekly on over 540 public radio stations, and anywhere you find podcasts. Learn more at themoth.org.

Two legendary Motown groups share the stage for one unforgettable night of timeless hits, smooth harmonies, and classic soul. Experience The Temptations performing favorites like “My Girl” and “Just My Imagination (Running Away with Me),” alongside The Four Tops’ classics “Reach Out I’ll Be There” and “I Can’t Help Myself (Sugar Pie, Honey Bunch),” in a celebration of the music that continues to inspire generations of fans. The Temptations The Temptations, often referred to as American music royalty, are world-renowned superstars of entertainment, celebrated for their phenomenal catalog of music and enduring influence on popular culture. Led by founding member Dr. Otis Williams, the legendary group continues to captivate audiences with timeless hits including “My Girl,” “Just My Imagination (Running Away with Me),” “Ain’t Too Proud to Beg,” and “Papa Was a Rollin’ Stone.” Ranked No. 1 on Billboard’s list of the “Greatest R&B/Hip-Hop Artists of All Time,” The Temptations have also been named among Rolling Stone’s “100 Greatest Artists of All Time.” Their remarkable story inspired the hit Broadway musical Ain’t Too Proud: The Life and Times of The Temptations, which earned 12 Tony® nominations and won the Tony® Award for Best Choreography. Decades after redefining soul and R&B

Get ready to go back to the '60s! The Sixties Show, a popular, award-winning Off-Broadway show, is a high-energy, multimedia, immersive experience that celebrates the inspirational, entertaining, and historically significant music and events of the 1960s. The cast, which features current and former band members of The Who, The Rascals, John Fogarty, and Creedence Clearwater Revival, is a cross-generational crowd pleasing show that recreates spot-on, note-for-note recreations of the hits, B-sides, and deep album cuts from the greatest songs of the 1960’s. In addition to the concert experience, this high-energy show is a large-scale and ambitious multimedia, stage production that is powerfully dramatized by a combination of time travel special effects, narration, 60’s archival audio, newsreel footage, and a light show. All of the music is performed live, with no samples, backing tracks, or prerecorded music of any kind. The band only plays authentic 1960’s period vintage and reissue vintage gear and instrumentation just like the original artists’ and original recordings. This combined with genuine 1960’s mod costumes that the band wears, only adds to the meticulous detail and authenticity of this popular and powerful theater show. The members of The Sixties Show were hand-picked to perform and record with