Smooth Jazz New Jersey | Nationally recognized Smooth Jazz artists

Friday, January 17th

All That Jazz is back at the Hamilton Stage

Enjoy the WBGO Piano Lounge with a cocktail and phenom Leonieke Scheuble on the Fazioli Grand Piano before the show and the concert at 8:00PM

ABOUT JACKIEM JOYNER AND BRIAN SIMPSON
Jackiem Joyner

Contemporary saxophonist, author, and music producer Jackiem Joyner has set the bar high in his nearly two-decade-long career as a performer. With a number one jazz album, numerous Billboard chart-topping hits, and a series of critically acclaimed books to his name, Joyner has proven himself a rare artist capable of transcending his instrument and captivating mainstream audiences.

Brian Simpson

Keyboardist and composer Brian Simpson has played alongside noted jazz musicians Gerald Albright and Norman Brown, as well as performed a world tour with Janet Jackson – all shortly after graduating from Northern Illinois University.

In 1990, Simpson received a call from George Duke that led to a decade of touring and production work with the late jazz legend. It was his tenure with George that led him to work with a variety of esteemed artists, from James Ingram and Anita Baker to Dave Koz and Wayman Tisdale.

Saturday, February 8th

WBGO Presents All That Jazz with Marion Meadows at Hamilton Stage

About Marion

After becoming a well-known sideman in his own right, recording or performing with Brook Benton, Eartha Kitt, Phyllis Hyman, Jean Carne, The Temptations, Michael Bolton, Angela Bofill, Will Downing, Bob Baldwin, Chuck Loeb, the Rich Engel Fantasy Band, Marion signed with RCA Records in 1990. Now with Shanachie Records Marion released his 17th studio album in 2024 entitled “Just Doing Me.”

On December 21st he was inducted into the New England Music Hall of Fame class of 2025. As a solo artist Marion has performed extensively in the U.S and around the world. Adding to his musical achievements Marion Meadows is an accomplished artist whose works will be on display In the WBGO Piano Lounge adjacent to the Hamilton Stage concert space. Come early and enjoy art, cocktails, and the fabulous Leonieke Scheuble perform on the Fazioli Grand Piano. Meet and greet Marion after each show in the WBGO Piano Lounge.

WBGO, Smooth Jazz New Jersey, and UCPAC presents

JAZZ FROM JUILLIARD

Saturday, March 1st 8 PM

The Sound of Bebop

The Juilliard School is world renowned for educating Jazz artists such as Miles Davis, Wynton Marsalis, Jon Batiste and many others. Come hear the new generation of world class musicians swinging their way through the innovative musical style known as Bebop. Introduced by Thelonious Monk, Kenny Clarke, Dizzy Gillespie, Miles Davis and Charlie Parker in the 1940’s, the rhythmic and harmonic innovations they pioneered continue to inspire musicians to this day. This show will blow you away.

Patrick Hill, alto saxophone
Derek Duleba, guitar
Jake Nalangan, piano
Guillermo Lopez, bass
Jesse Parker, drums

Saturday, April 19th

WBGO Presents All That Jazz with Alex Bugnon at Hamilton Stage

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.

As the year ends, Alex has released his 12th album – HARLEM, the second on Xela. HARLEM is a mix of original compositions and his personal take on beloved and well-known songs including the classic A Night in Tunisia, Curtis Mayfield’s Pusherman, Stevie Wonder’s Summer Soft and Burt Bacharach’s A House is Not a Home. Alex makes his home in the historic village of Harlem, New York, and maintains his connection to his beloved Montreux.

Come early to the adjacent WBGO Piano Lounge, have a cocktail on the couch and be amazed by young phenom Leonieke Scheuber performing on the Fazioli Grand Piano.

After the show on the adjacent Hamilton Stage meet and greet with Alex and the band in the WBGO Piano Lounge.

Come early to the adjacent WBGO Piano Lounge, have a cocktail on the couch and be amazed by young phenom Leonieke Scheuber performing on the Fazioli Grand Piano.

After the show on the adjacent Hamilton Stage meet and greet with Alex and the band in the WBGO Piano Lounge.

on the UCPAC Main Stage

Saturday, May 3rd

An Evening with Branford Marsalis

on the UCPAC Main Stage

New Orleans-born Branford Marsalis is an award-winning saxophonist, band leader, featured classical soloist, and a film and Broadway composer. In the process, he has become a multi award-winning artist with three Grammys, a citation by the National Endowment for the Arts as a Jazz Master, and an avatar of contemporary artistic excellence.

The Branford Marsalis Quartet, formed in 1986, remains his primary means of expression. In its virtually uninterrupted three-plus decades of existence, the Quartet has established a rare breadth of stylistic range as demonstrated on the band’s last release: The Secret Between the Shadow and the Soul. But Branford has not confined his music to the jazz quartet context. He recently composed a classical suite commissioned by the Kalamazoo Symphony Orchestra. A frequent soloist with classical ensembles, Branford has become increasingly sought after as a featured soloist with acclaimed orchestras around the world, performing works by composers such as Copeland, Debussy, Glazunov, Ibert, John Williams, Mahler, Milhaud, Rorem, Vaughan Williams and Villa-Lobos. And his legendary guest performances with the Grateful Dead and collaborations with Sting have made him a fan favorite in the pop arena

Dine nearby!

Round out the magic of your concert experience with a “Dinner and a Show” deal from one of Rahway’s local eateries

To take advantage of these deals, simply present your ticket at a participating restaurant on the day of the show. Reservations are encouraged.

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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.

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Past Performances

View some of our most memorable shows and the artists that graced the stage with their Jazz performance.

Friday, January 17th

All That Jazz is back at the Hamilton Stage

Saturday, February 8th

WBGO Presents All That Jazz with Marion Meadows at Hamilton Stage