The New Jersey Performing Arts Center (NJPAC) and the Bethany Baptist Church Jazz Vespers Continue Free Monthly Jazz Concert Series February–June 2024.

Wednesday, January 31, 2024

This series of free events takes place on the first Saturday of every month at Bethany Baptist Church, Newark, NJ. Performers include Bill Charlap, Sullivan Fortner, Camille Thurman, Tyreek McDole.

We have received the following press release;

The New Jersey Performing Arts Center (NJPAC) and the Bethany Baptist Church Jazz Vespers Continue Free Monthly Jazz Concert Series February–June 2024
sponsored in part by TD Bank

When: First Saturday of every month @ 6:00 p.m.:
Feb 3, Mar 2, Apr 6, May 4 and Jun 1
Where: Bethany Baptist Church at 275 W. Market Street, Newark, NJ

Tickets: Free. For more information, contact NJPAC at 1.888.GO.NJPAC/1.888.466.5722 or visit http://www.njpac.org/jazz.

Sat 2.03 @ 6:00 p.m.: Bethany Vespers Series: Bill Charlap Trio
Bill Charlap – piano
Noriko Uesa – bass
Dennis Mackrel – drums
Co-presented by Bethany Baptist Church and NJPAC, February’s Bethany Vesper Concert Series features New Jersey-based pianist Bill Charlap. A gifted interpreter of jazz standards and the American Songbook, he won a GRAMMY for his collaboration with Tony Bennett, The Silver Lining: The Songs of Jerome Kern. He’s currently Director of Jazz Studies at William Paterson University, and a familiar face within the NJPAC jazz community. 

Sat 3.02 @ 6:00 p.m. Sullivan Fortner
Sullivan Fortner – piano
Co-presented by Bethany Baptist Church and NJPAC, March’s Bethany Vesper Concert Series featuresGRAMMY Award-winning pianist Sullivan Fortner. Based in New York, Fortner has earned recognition in multiple DownBeat Critics Poll categories, winning first place in Rising Star Piano and Rising Star Jazz Artist. According to The New York Times, “his fundamentals as a player could hardly be stronger, and his instincts as a composer and bandleader are almost startlingly mature.”

Sat 4.06 @ 6:00 p.m. Camille Thurman with the Darrell Green Quartet
Camille Thurman – tenor saxophone + vocals
Darrell Green – drums
TBA – band
Co-presented by Bethany Baptist Church and NJPAC, April’s Bethany Vesper Concert Series features tenor saxophone player and jazz vocalist Camille Thurman. Her rich sax sound has been compared to Joe Henderson and Dexter Gordon, while her soulful vocals are reminiscent of Ella Fitzgerald and Betty Carter. She was a finalist in NJPAC’s esteemed Sarah Vaughan International Vocal Competition, and The New York Times raves: “You’re hard pressed to find rising talents more exciting than Camille Thurman.” She’ll be joined by the Darrell Green Quartet.

Sat 5.04 @ 6:00 p.m. Tyreek McDole Quintet
Tyreek McDole – vocals
TBA – tenor saxophone
TBA – bass
TBA – piano
TBA – drums
Co-presented by Bethany Baptist Church and NJPAC, May’s Bethany Vesper Concert Series featuresvocalist Tyreek McDole. Winner of the most recent Sarah Vaughan International Jazz Vocal Competition, this concert marks Tyreek’s first performance in Newark since he won the contest on the NJPAC stage in November 2023. Based in Harlem, Tyreek has been making waves and enchanting audiences with his remarkable talent, characterized by a velvety tone and polished delivery. With a string of prestigious awards to his name, Tyreek shines as a rising star in the music world.

Sat 6.01 @ 6:00 p.m. Matthew Whitaker
Matthew Whitaker – piano
Co-presented by Bethany Baptist Church and NJPAC, June’s Bethany Vesper Concert Series featureskeyboardist, organist and bandleader Matthew Whitaker. “A blind jazz piano prodigy is taking the world by storm,” People magazine says about the rising star. At 22, Matthew has already dazzled crowds at The Apollo, Lincoln Center, Carnegie Hall and jazz fests including Monterey and Newport. Among his many fans are Regina Carter and Jon Batiste, both of whom appeared on his buzzworthy debut album, Connections. WGBO raves: “To see and hear him play is to know that divine talent exists.”

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TD Bank, America’s Most Convenient Bank, is one of the 10 largest banks in the U.S., providing more than 8 million customers with a full range of retail, small business and commercial banking products and services at approximately 1,300 convenient locations throughout the Northeast, Mid-Atlantic, Metro D.C., the Carolinas and Florida. In addition, TD Bank and its subsidiaries offer customized private banking and wealth management services through TD Wealth®, and vehicle financing and dealer commercial services through TD Auto Finance.
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About NJPAC
The New Jersey Performing Arts Center (NJPAC), located in downtown Newark, N.J., is America’s most diverse performing arts center, and the artistic, cultural, educational and civic center of New Jersey – where great performances and events enhance and transform lives every day. NJPAC brings diverse communities together, providing access to all and showcasing the state’s and the world’s best artists while acting as a leading catalyst in the revitalization of its home city. Through its extensive Arts Education programs, NJPAC is shaping the next generation of artists and arts enthusiasts. NJPAC has attracted nearly 10 million individuals (including over 1.9 million students and families) since opening its doors in 1997, and nurtures meaningful and lasting relationships with each of its constituents.