This year the Women’s Association of New Jersey Performing Arts Center is offering a chance for you to see the 2019 Spotlight Gala concert and enjoy an exclusive afterparty with just a $250 ticket. Attendees will get to see a celebration of Ray Charles with Yolanda Adams, Dianne Reeves, Jarrod Spector, Davell Crawford, and Ray Chew! And, it all goes back to a good cause promoting the arts education efforts of NJPAC!
This annual spectacular, one of the largest fundraisers in New Jersey, will celebrate the music of the legendary Ray Charles, who headlined the very first Women’s Association of NJPAC Spotlight Gala in 1996. “Brother Ray has had a very special place in the hearts of everyone at NJPAC since that incredible night,” says John Schreiber, President and CEO of the Arts Center.
“We’re excited to bring together stars of gospel, R&B and Broadway to salute his brilliance, his wonderful songs and the unforgettable role he played in making the Arts Center a reality.”
Yolanda Adams, a five-time GRAMMY Award-winning gospel legend, with 13 albums in her catalog, is one of the acclaimed musicians who will perform Charles’ music at the concert. Adams has earned numerous accolades for her passionate singing, including the first American Music Award for Contemporary Gospel Artist and four Gospel Music Association Dove Awards. Her pioneering blend of modern gospel and R&B, infused with a touch of jazz, inspires both gospel fans and jazz lovers alike
She’ll be joined by multiple GRAMMY Award-winner and renowned jazz vocalist Dianne Reeves, whose albums include I Remember, The Grand Encounter, The Calling: Celebrating Sarah Vaughan, and A Little Moonlight. Reeves is one of the country’s most celebrated jazz vocalists, and a frequent, beloved performer on NJPAC’s stages.
Bringing his signature blend of Broadway sounds and pop energy, Jarrod Spector, who was nominated for both a Tony and Outer Critics Circle Awards for his performance as Barry Mann in Beautiful: The Carole King Musical, will join these remarkable women. (Fans of Jerseyana take note: Spector also played a record-breaking 1,500 performances as Frankie Valli in Jersey Boys on Broadway.)
And Davell Crawford, the keyboardist, vocalist, composer and arranger known as the “Piano Prince of New Orleans,” will be on hand to blend as many genres as the Genius himself did: Modern and classic jazz, rhythm and blues, funk, gospel, soul, pop, American folk and touches of country-western all mingle in his signature style.
This galaxy of stars will perform Charles’ most beloved tunes, all under the baton of Ray Chew, currently in his ninth season as the music director for ABC’s Dancing with The Stars.
As a special treat, the show will kick off with a performance of scenes from The Tap Dance Kid, featuring 25 astonishingly talented young performers, directed by tap legend Savion Glover. A Newark native himself, Glover made his Broadway debut in the show in 1985, as an 11-year-old dance phenom. Today, he is an NJPAC Board Member and the Performing Art Center’s Dance Advisor, who annually runs a summer musical theater residency for teens at NJPAC.
Tickets are available at multiple price-points: Tickets to the all-star concert celebration are $50. Party people can enjoy a full night of fun, and support NJPAC’s arts education programs for Newark children, with a $250 ticket to the performance, the after-party with DJKISS and the Dessert Spectacular.
