“Dave Grusin: A Life in Music” will feature Grusin along with, clockwise from top left, Randy Brecker, Will Downing, Lee Ritenour, New York Voices and Jane Monheit.
Concerts featuring Gladys Knight, Grupo Niche and Omara Portuondo, an all-star celebration of Dave Grusin and jazz tributes to “The Sound of Music” and songs from Disney movies will be among the attractions of the 12th annual TD James Moody Jazz Festival, taking place at NJPAC and other Newark locations, Nov. 3-19.
“Probably my favorite quote about performing is from Cannonball Adderley: ‘I give the audience 50 percent of what they want to hear, and 50 percent of what I think they need to hear,’ ” said NJPAC’s jazz advisor Christian McBride, who helped curate the schedule, in a press release.
“As an artist, I think that’s a smart balance — and it’s part of how we approach the TD James Moody Festival lineup. Whatever your favorite kind of music is, you’ll hear it at some point in this festival — but you’ll also hear variations on it, new approaches, maybe a take you hadn’t considered before. We’re always going to play the music you love, but we’re going to offer you a little something more, a new sound, a new artist to get excited about.”
Bill Charlap and Dee Dee Bridgewater.
Here is the schedule. For information and tickets, visit NJPAC.org/jazz.
Nov. 3, 7:30 p.m.: Dee Dee Bridgewater, vocals, and Bill Charlap, piano, at NJPAC’s Victoria Theater.
Nov. 4, 3 p.m.: WBGO Kid’s Concert Series/Elio Villafranca Quartet presents “Standing by the Crossroads” at NJPAC’s Victoria Theater. Free though advance reservation is required.
Nov. 4, 8 pm.: Grupo Niche and Héctor Acosta “El Torito” at NJPAC’s Prudential Hall.
Nov. 9, 7:30 p.m.: Ranky Tanky with Ms. Lisa Fischer at NJPAC’s Victoria Theater.
Nov. 10, 7:30 p.m.: Omara Portuondo at NJPAC’s Victoria Theater.
Nov. 11, 7:30 p.m.: Take 6 with tap dancer Hillary-Marie and beatboxer Mark Martin at NJPAC’s Victoria Theater.
Nov. 12, 3 p.m.: Abdullah Ibrahim Trio featuring Ibrahim on piano, Cleave Guyton on flute, piccolo and saxophone and Noah Jackson on bass and cello at NJPAC’s Victoria Theater.
GLADYS KNIGHT
Nov. 12, 7 p.m.: Gladys Knight with Davell Crawford at NJPAC’s Prudential Hall.
Nov. 15, 7 p.m.: “Louis Armstrong’s Black & Blues” screening at Newark Museum of Art. Free.
Nov. 16, 7:30 p.m.: Jazz Jams at Clement’s Place. Free.
Nov. 16, 7:30 p.m.: “The Sound of (Black) Music” featuring The Shakes and singers Vuyo Sotashe, Brianna Thomas, Charenée Wade, Alexis Lombre and Zhanna Reed. A “reimagining of the classic Rogers and Hammerstein musical through a utopian, afrofuturistic lens full of love.” At NJPAC’s Victoria Theater.
Nov. 17, 7 p.m.: NJMEA/All State Jazz Band and Choir with guest vibraphonist Stefon Harris at NJPAC’s Chase Room.
Nov. 17, 7:30 p.m.: “When You Wish Upon a Star — A Jazz Tribute to 100 Years of Disney” with pianist and bandleader Sean Mason, the National Jazz Museum Band, singers Kim Nalley and Sasha Dobson and others at NJPAC’s Victoria Theater.
Nov. 17, 8 p.m.: “Dave Grusin: A Life in Music” featuring pianist Grusin, guitarist Lee Ritenour, singers Will Downing and Jane Monheit, trumpeter Randy Brecker, saxophonist Ernie Watts, drummer Dave Weckl, bassist Tom Kennedy and the vocal group New York Voices at NJPAC’s Prudential Hall.
Nov. 18, 6 p.m.: Pianist Cyrus Chestnut at Bethany Baptist Church. Free.
Nov. 19, 11 a.m. and 1 p.m.: “Dorthaan’s Place: The Steve Turre Generations Sextet” at NJPAC’s NICO Kitchen + Bar.
Nov. 19, 3 p.m.: 12th Annual Sarah Vaughan International Jazz Vocal Competition with host Pat Prescott, singer G. Thomas Allen and judges Jane Monheit, Christian McBride, Madeleine Peyroux, Al Pryor and Lizz Wright at NJPAC’s Victoria Theater.
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