New Jersey Performing Arts Center (NJPAC) presents an evening with Jazz House Kids. JAZZ HOUSE KIDS returns to its roots in Newark with this stylish, all-star celebration featuring Andra Day, David Sanborn, Sheila E and Kenny Barron, all under the musical direction of virtuoso bassist and bandleader Christian McBride.
This 15th Anniversary Gala Concert will feature rising singer-songwriter and 2016 GRAMMY nominee Andra Day, credited by NPR with “Eartha Kitt’s unflappable confidence, Amy Winehouse’s effortless grasp of classic jazz, Billie Holiday’s access to raw emotion, and Adele’s range and pop sensibility”; six-time GRAMMY-winning sax legend David Sanborn, a best-selling recording artist known for his smooth take on pop, R&B and traditional jazz; GRAMMY-nominated “Queen of Percussion” Sheila E, whose early work with Prince led to her own successful solo career, including the chart-topping “The Glamorous Life”; NEA Jazz Master and nine-time GRAMMY-nominated pianist Kenny Barron; and virtuoso bassist, composer and bandleader Christian McBride, a five-time GRAMMY winner, the artistic director of JAZZ HOUSE KiDS and NJPAC’s Jazz Advisor.
This special evening, hosted by Emmy and SAG Award winner S. Epatha Merkerson (Law and Order), will also feature a tribute to jazz great Roy Haynes, and performances by talented Jazz House alumni including Matthew Whitaker, a recent winner on Showtime at the Apollo.
Jazz House Kids is a nationally recognized community arts organization dedicated to educating children through jazz. The Jazz House concept brings renowned performers to teach alongside professional staff, offering students a range of creative programming that develops musical potential, enhances leadership skills, and strengthens academic performance.
Join JAZZ HOUSE KiDS as the Gala sponsor and enjoy a pre-concert cocktail reception and a post-performance dinner celebration immediately following the concert. For more information visit https://jazzhousekids.org/.
