NJCU Alumni Jazz Big Band to salute the late Lew Soloff at free Jersey City concert

The late Lew Soloff will be honored at a Jersey City concert, Sept. 16.

The New Jersey City University Alumni Jazz Big Band will pay tribute to trumpeter Lew Soloff, who died last year at the age of 71, with a free concert on the Jersey City Waterfront, Sept. 16 at 6 p.m.

A number of Soloff’s friends and collaborators — including trumpeter Randy Brecker, saxophonist  Lou “Blue Lou” Marini, trumpeter Tony Kadleck, bassist Harvie S and bass trombonist Dave Taylor — will perform as well.

Soloff’s credits include five years with Blood, Sweat & Tears. He replaced original trumpeter Brecker in 1968, and played on hits such as  “Spinning Wheel,” “And When I Die,” and “You’ve Made Me So Very Happy.”

The many other musicians he performed with over the years included Frank Sinatra, Tony Bennett, Paul Simon, Barbra Streisand, Miles Davis, Lionel Hampton, the Lincoln Center Jazz Orchestra, Maynard Ferguson and Wayne Shorter.

The show will take place at J. Owen Grundy Pier at Exchange Place. In the event of rain, it will move to the Mack-Cali Atrium at Harborside Plaza 2, at 34 Exchange Place.

The NJCU Alumni Jazz Big Band, directed by Richard Lowenthal, will feature musicians who have studied at the university, including drummer Rich DeRosa, saxophonists Mark Friedman, Daryl Dixon, John DiSanto and Bob Magnuson, trumpeters Vinnie Cutro and Nathan Eklund, trombonists Rob Edwards, Danny Hall and Conrad Zulauf, and pianist Barry Spatz.

For information, visit njcu.edu/jazz16.
Here is a video of Soloff playing his famous solo on “Spinning Wheel.”