WBGO “All That Jazz” concert series expands to Morris County. In addition to the ongoing “All That Jazz” concert series in Union County, Smooth Jazz New Jersey, WBGO, and the Morris Museum, are excited to announce three new shows starting this fall:
About Alex Bugnon
Jazz pianist Alex Bugnon has been a prolific, energetic force on the contemporary music scene for more than two decades. A renowned musician/composer/bandleader, Bugnon hales from the picturesque town of Montreux, Switzerland – site of the world-famous Jazz Festival
His first album, Love Season (1989), with the fledgling record label, catapulted the virtual unknown to prominence and set him on his musical course. The album rocketed to number 2 on the R&B charts and was nominated for best jazz album at the Soul Train Awards. In 1991, Alex released his second album for Orpheus, Head Over Heels, and like the first, it became a chart topper cementing his position as a radio and fan favorite on the R&B and smooth jazz circuit, earning him Black Radio Exclusive’s Best New Artist Award.
At The Bickford Theater in the Morris Museum
Get ready for an unforgettable night of smooth grooves and electrifying jazz with Grammy-nominated saxophonist Gerald Albright and his band, one of the most celebrated and soulful voices in contemporary jazz. With his signature sound and high-energy performances, Albright has captivated audiences worldwide—sharing the stage with icons like Anita Baker, Quincy Jones, and Whitney Houston, and topping the Billboard Jazz charts with multiple No. 1 albums. From funk-driven jams to romantic ballads, his live show delivers musicianship, charisma, and pure groove.
Join us at The Terrace Ballroom at Newark Symphony Hall for an evening of world-class jazz from one of the genre’s true masters.
Kick off the holiday season with Home for the Holidays with the Future of Jazz Orchestra presented in collaboration with Jazz at Lincoln Center. Under the musical direction of Joe Block, you can expect to hear refreshing takes of your favorite holiday tunes. Joining the orchestra are two outstanding vocalists: Katie Oberholtzer and Imani Rousselle. Oberholtzer, a recurring figure at clubs such as Birdland, the Jazz Club at the Aman, and Dizzy’s Club, has captivated audiences with her cross-genre performances. Rousselle, recently seen in Broadway’s Good Night and Good Luck, is celebrated for the warmth and poise she brings to stage.
The Future of Jazz Orchestra is a young big band collective curated by Jazz at Lincoln Center that is comprised of musicians at the start of their jazz career. Pulling from local education programs at Juilliard, Temple, Manhattan School of Music, and more, the Orchestra showcases musicians who are fresh on the jazz scene in NYC.
With a career that spans over 38 years and 28 albums, Will Downing is one of the most versatile and loved voices of our time. Known as The Prince of Sophisticated Soul, his repertoire consists of signature interpretations of R&B classics like “I Go Crazy”, “Wishing On A Star” and “I Try”, with original hits “A Million Ways”, “Sorry I” and the show-stopping duet with Rachelle Ferrell, “Nothing Has Ever Felt Like This”. His distinctive baritone voice has resonated in the hearts of women world-wide and carved a unique niche in the music marketplace. With fresh melodies and lush arrangements that satisfy all musical palates, Downing continues to serve his fan base through his own Sophisticated Soul record label and sold out tour dates across the country. His latest release entitled “Luscious” was released on November 29, 2024. He also hosts his weekly radio show The Wind Down which is aired on this site and over 20 stations around the world in the USA, UK, Japan, and Spain.
Five-time Grammy Award winner Lalah Hathaway releases her seventh solo studio album, VANTABLACK, her most empowered and impressive effort to date, June 14th via Hathaway Entertainment/SRG Records. Along with co-producers Phil Beaudreu, Ariza, Warryn Campbell and Eric Dawkins, Hathaway has created a sixteen track sonic landscape filled with dynamic production and superhuman vocals and is joined by feature performances from WILLOW, Rapsody, Common, Michael McDonald, Phonte, MC Lyte and Gerald Albright. In Hathaway’s words, ‘VANTABLACK takes its name from a pigment, the darkest shade of black ever created. It felt so right for me and this project right now because I set out to make the blackest record EVER! And I did. This album represents the multiplicity of what being black means to me. And I love it!’
Saturday, March 14, 2026 | 5:00 & 8:00 PM
About Kirk Whalum
Grammy winner and 12-time Grammy nominee Kirk Whalum has become an iconic R&B and smooth jazz saxophonist and songwriter. Whalum has recorded a series of commercially and critically acclaimed solo studio albums, along with several film soundtracks, with music ranging from pop to R&B to smooth jazz.
Whalum is a member, together with trumpeter Rick Braun and guitarist Norman Brown, of jazz group BWB, and has also worked with artists such as Whitney Houston, Bob James, Jonathan Butler and Quincy Jones. Among others with whom Whalum has collaborated are Michael McDonald, Chante Moore, Luther Vandross, Patrice Rushen, Will Downing and Brian Culbertson.
Marion Meadows April 4 Meadows’ first RCA release “For Lover’s Only” was a huge success and was followed by his groundbreaking “Keep it Right There” album. He became a staple of the contemporary jazz format with his subsequent recordings, which include Body Rhythm (1994) and Forbidden Fruit (1996), Passion (1997), Another Side Of Midnight (1999), Next To You (2000), In Deep (2002), Players Club (2004), Dressed To Chill (2006), Secrets (2009) Whisper (2013) and most recently Soul Traveler, the first installment of his Soul Trilogy which now showcases his current release, Soul City” on the New York-based Shanachie Label. Meadows is a semi-pro cyclist, graphic artist and designer.Marion received a doctorate from Wilberforce University in 2016. His artwork and photography can be viewed at:www.marionmeadowsatmospheres.comwww.marionmeadowsphotography.com.
Come back and visit:
With a trademark jump and crowd-captivating energy throughout his live show, Eric Darius is breaking the mold of modern jazz. The Billboard chart topping, American saxophonist, songwriter, producer, and performer shines in a vibrant new light as he reinvents himself through ‘Unleashed’, an expansive and ambitious genre-spanning album brimming with passion and purpose, soul and sweat, charisma and charm.
To take advantage of these deals, simply present your ticket at a participating restaurant on the day of the show. Reservations are encouraged.
Featuring
Discover one of a kind performers ranging from all kinds of jazz styles and talents. Smooth Jazz New Jersey showcases events that honor a craft that continues to inspire communities and echo through the ages with its influence.
View some of our most memorable shows and the artists that graced the stage with their Jazz performance.
