The 2021 Montclair Jazz Festival will feature a variety of events from July to September.
Jazz House Kids’ Montclair Jazz Festival will take on a new form in its 12th year, with no big concert at Nishuane Park, but a variety of events stretching from July to September.
For the festival’s Grand Finale, on Sept. 25, free music will be offered on four stages in downtown Montclair, with a portion of Bloomfield Avenue closed to traffic and offering food and craft vendors, and family activities.
“Due to the pandemic we felt it was important to present a series of concerts throughout the summer to bring people together again, and for the Grand Finale to keep people moving with four stages and to be able to support local businesses across Montclair hard-hit by the pandemic,” said Jazz House Kids founder and president Melissa Walker in a press release.
“After such trying times for all humanity in 2020 and the beginning of 2021, being able to bring the Montclair Jazz Festival back this year is a miracle, a blessing and a gift,” said Walker’s husband and Jazz House Kids artistic director Christian McBride, in the press release. “Pablo Picasso once said that ‘art washes away the dust of everyday life,’ but Art Blakey specified that quote to ‘music washes away the dust of everyday life.’ After the last 16 months, we’ll be washing off a lot of dust at this year’s Montclair Jazz Fest.”
Here is the schedule:
July 8, 6 p.m. at Lackawanna Plaza: Cocomama Latin jazz orchestra; Story Tellers featuring Alex Laurenzi.
July 22, 6 p.m. at Lackawanna Plaza: Dave Stryker’s 8 Track Band featuring Warren Wolf; Chica Power All-Stars.
Aug. 7, 1 p.m. at Lackawanna Plaza: “Block Party” with Ingrid Jensen, the Kelly Green Trio, Lee Hogans & Pursuance.
Aug. 14, 1 p.m. at Lackawanna Plaza: “Block Party” with Irwin Hall Organ Trio and the Lauren Sevian Quartet.
Aug. 14, 6 p.m. at Lackawanna Plaza: “Dance Party” with DJ Brother Mister (Christian McBride) playing old school funk and soul music.
Sept. 22, 7 p.m.: Jazz film screening curated by Montclair Film’s Tom Hall (movie and location TBA) plus reception for friends of the festival.
Sept. 23, 6 p.m.: VIP reception and concert directed by Christian McBride at Van Vleck House and Gardens.
Sept. 25, 1 p.m.: Downtown Jamboree Grand Finale. Music, vendors, family activities and more in downtown Montclair. Lineup TBA.
For information, visit montclairjazzfestival.org.
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