ALICIA OLATUJA
The first Middlesex County Jazz Festival takes place from Sept. 28 to Oct. 1, with free performances by Alicia Olatuja, Cyrus Chestnut, Nat Adderley Jr., Edmar Castañeda and others in five different cities: Edison, Perth Amboy, New Brunswick, Metuchen and Woodbridge.
According to the festival’s website, the idea for the festival developed “when the leaders of musical events in each of the 5 towns realized that each of the towns produces live musical events including jazz. This common experience of neighboring towns and our love of jazz music was the seed which led to a cooperative dialogue and agreement to join to create this cross-town event.”
For information, visit middlesexcountyjazzfestival.org.
Here is the schedule:
SEPT. 28: EDISON
Papaianni Park
6 p.m.: JP Stevens Jazz Ensemble, directed by John Zazzedi
6:30 p.m.: The Delegations
7:30 p.m.: Victor Quezada & his Latin Jazz Band
SEPT. 29, PERTH AMBOY
Ferry Slip (UPDATE: Postponed because of flooding in area)
7 p.m.: Julian Meyers Koncept
8 p.m.: Forbidden Tropics
SEPT. 30, NEW BRUNSWICK
NAT ADDERLEY JR.
Livingston Avenue, in front of New Brunswick Performing Arts Center
1 p.m.: New Brunswick Jazz Project Brass
2:15 p.m.: Conrad Herwig Latin Side All-Stars
4 p.m.: Nat Adderley Jr. Quartet
SEPT. 30, METUCHEN
Halsey Street, Metuchen Station Lot 6
6 p.m.: Jill Justin Dance Alliance
6:30 p.m.: Metuchen High School Jazz Ensemble (big band), directed by John Messenger
7 p.m.: Molly Ryan and Manhattan Premier
8 p.m.: Cyrus Chestnut Quartet
OCT. 1, WOODBRIDGE
Parker Press Park (UPDATE: Location has been changed to Woodbridge High School due to flooding from recent rain)
3 p.m.: Woodbridge High School Jazz Choir
3:45 p.m.: Edmar Castañeda Quartet
5:15 p.m.: Alicia Olatuja Quintet
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