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ROCK ON! This Week's Sound Bites...8/23/18


By Danny Coleman

originally published: 08/23/2018

"Well, I don't want to announce it as such because I've seen other artists do that and tour again after that; so you never know but it could be. So far I'm still in good physical shape to play an instrument that is tough to play but so far so good. So as long as I can still do that and as long as there's a demand, because the last thing that I want to do is just impose myself on stage like people who never want to go away even when there is no audience anymore for them. So if it gets to that I'll be happy to retire; I'm ready for that now. One thing for sure, there are not going  be many more tours; maybe another one after that at most," uttered legendary violinist Jean Luc Ponty as he discussed what may very well be one of if not his final tour prior to his August 23 show in Newton, NJ at the Skyland PAC.

On the road with, "The Atlantic Years Tour," Ponty definitely embraces his past even though he may not always admit to looking back at it and had it not been at the urging of some friends and industry insiders; this may never have come to be. 

"What it is," he started with deliberation, "Is that I'm not the kind of guy that is into nostalgia and looking to the past and being sad that it's over; not at all. I'm the opposite, I'm always looking forward and happy to do new musical experiences but they are rooted in the past though; I'm talking about me developing in the mid 70's and still keep doing it until now. Then there was a ditty man from France and concert organizations who wanted to revisit the music of my early career and the first albums which I produced on Atlantic that made the audiences aware that there was this crazy Frenchman playing electric violin. I gave a listen to the old albums but I am also the kind of musician who rarely listened to his own recordings; moving on all the time. So I really sat down and listened after so many years and discovered that some of the music I really do was great and it was worth re-visiting and what I mean by re-visiting is not to rehash the past, it's not to try to recreate exactly what it was because the albums are there. They have that sound color of the time and that energy but what we can do now so many years later is that me and the musicians have had so many other musical experiences that we have a different kind of maturity and coming back to this music we can bring some new improvisations to it. Also, the sound technology has improved and some instruments themselves are so much better today so it's like feeling lucky to still be alive and being able to make this music live again. Also there is a jazz element; meaning that there are sections in most pieces where we can improvise solos, that means that the music comes alive in different ways every night." 

The musicians on this tour are no strangers to Jean Luc or his music and he speaks glowingly of having them reunited with him on stage once again. 

"All of them have either toured and recorded with me or both. Jamie Glaser is the longest collaborator with me, he started in 1977 fresh out of The Berklee School of Music. He has been on several albums and then he went to do his own thing and he came back again in the late 80's and 90's. Then Wally Minko on keyboards joined in the late 80's, he recorded three albums with me and did many tours worldwide. Rayford Griffin on drums joined my band in 1982, was on all of the albums between 1982 and 1986 and even more in the 90's. There was one tour that he couldn't do because he was with Michael Jackson then; I remember that because in the 90's I wanted to do a reunion," he said with a laugh. "Keith Jones toured with my band in the 80's as well; on top of which, this is the band that I put together when I collaborated with Jon Anderson from Yes. These are exactly the same band; musicians that I've worked with since the 80's, it adds another emotional dimension. Being back on stage makes us really happy, there's a joy and a different feeling; it's a pleasure to be back together. It is like old friends that you've not seen in a long time and you get together, that's the kind of feeling we have."



 


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Easily the most recognizable violinist in rock and jazz music, Ponty admits to feeling some of the pressures of success yet he also gained a wealth of experience which affords him to relax as he looks back at his long and illustrious career; a career which has seen him nominated for or achieving just about every major award in the music industry. 

"It was very natural at first for many years. I had a very strong inspirational force in  me that had to come out," he chuckled. "I was lucky to sign this contract with Atlantic Records in '75 that gave me total artistic freedom and gave me a chance to explore, put a band together and play this music. I wanted to create my own way of making one see phases of different musical limits. I had the experience, I came from classical music, I was professional in the symphony orchestra when I was 20 years old and then seven years of straight jazz and then the collaboration with Zappa's band, Mahavishnu, McLaughlin and others less well known before that in Europe but who were also into rock and progressive rock. I wanted to connect in a way that wasn't evident and it wasn't easy at first but little by little it changed; so that was my goal and I didn't know if I'd be successful or not. The albums got a lot of success, even beyond my hopes; I mean it was unbelievable in those days. We got a chance to be picked up by progressive rock radio, jazz radio, different formats and a lot of college and university radio, it was amazing and thanks to that we got a chance to keep going and doing it. It is true though that I reached a point in the late 80's and early 90's where yeah, you feel the pressure because when you are presented on stage at big festivals with other bands and they announce you as one of the top or the top violinist in the world, you think oh my God, I better behave and play good (laughs). I'm joking now but there was some type of pressure at some time where I was wondering while recording my next album if it would be at least as good as the previous ones but not anymore. I've reached a point now where I''m totally relaxed because it's not what I had in mind. It's not having to be the best or whatever, music for me is an expression of my sub-conscious, I feel it's very metaphysical. It's almost like I feel it's not me anymore physically on stage. I don't know where it comes from, like as if I was channeling waves from around the universe. I don't know but emotions and feeling is all that counts, that's the priority and not thinking; am I the best? Am I good? Am I not good? You have to reach a point where you let go and let go completely. I was very happy to learn that a great jazz innovator like Charlie Parker said the same thing. He was practicing chord changes up to the point where he didn't have to think about it, it became sub-conscious and that's why you let go completely. Then it becomes totally spiritual or like another vein of communicating with other beings."

So how does anyone achieve a level of greatness such as his? According to Ponty, you either have it or you don't and even if you come from a musical family such as his own; there are no guarantees. 

"My parents were music teachers, so I grew up in a musical environment environment. This doesn't automatically mean that children have the vocation to be musicians as well but in my case I did. I developed a love for music immediately from the age of three or four years old. My father was teaching violin as a main instrument and my mother piano so they started me on both instruments when I was five years old. Then when I was 11 they asked me to choose one of the two so that I would become good at one instead of mediocre at both (laughs). I chose the violin, probably because I felt, from what I remember that it was the most expressive and it's an instrument that you hold against your body like a physical extension of you. Then maybe it was because my father was a violinist, I've never spoken to a psychiatrist about it," he joked, "but I think it was really because I found it more expressive. So I found myself  focusing and spending more time and hours on it every day but piano was very helpful and although I stopped practicing technique it helped me write music. Having access to a piano and later on to other types of keyboards and sounds was how I could write all of this music." 

One of the things that, "The Atlantic Years Tour" has done is gently prod him to look back in retrospect at how far the world has come; a world which he feels would be markedly better if the power of music was allowed to rule.

"In the 80's I toured mostly in the United States, South America and Western Europe until the Berlin Wall fell down and then the communist world was not so communist anymore and I went all the way to play in Siberia a few years ago. I didn't know what to expect but in fact there's quite an elite of people; scientists who live there, a lot of artistic activity, they have opera and two symphony orchestras. Just to say that I've played for people there and there was an old woman who came to me with tears in her eyes with a vinyl album, one of these Atlantic albums and she said, "You know, when I got that album I could've gone to jail." "What I'm saying is that music is such an incredible way to connect with people anywhere in the world; music would be a lot better than politics to unite people around the world." 

After the August 23 show in Newton, the tour has stops in Massachusetts, New York, Connecticut and then wraps up on August 30 at Sony Hall in New York City. So what can one expect when attending a Jean Luc Ponty performance?



 
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"A program with pieces from the Atlantic albums starting with, "The Imaginary Voyage" from 1975/76 through, "Fables" which was the last one in 1985. We play some of the pieces that turned out to be classics like, "Mirage," pieces from the, "Enigmatic Ocean," the two long suites that we play are "Enigmatic Ocean," "The Struggle of the Turtle to the Sea" and these are really great springboards for improvisation for the band and it sounds really good with this band. Pieces like "Mirage," it surprises me that there are young musicians today from electronic jazz, hip-hop, dance music who are sampling pieces like, "Mirage." I would not have expected that but that proves that there's a link between generations and that makes me very happy that they see something in my music that appeals to them and that they are using it and producing it in their own way. We won't play it in a hip-hop style (laughs), we stick to the style of the original recording." 

Sampling? Hip-hop? Ponty takes it all in stride whether he approves or not.

"I don't always agree and if I don't agree I refuse unless they steal it and I don't know about it but some are honest and ask permission and some are creative and just take bits and pieces and make a puzzle out of it; they don't take my creative piece as I recorded it and some are not creative at all. The way they use certain samples and sound effects of my music makes me say, ah that's original but it surprises me that they hear that music from the 70's that is old for them and it's something that inspires them; that's cool." 

To discover more about the eloquent virtuoso that is Jean Luc Ponty or purchase ticketsl please visit www.ponty.com.

That's it for this week! Please continue to support live and original music and until next week....ROCK ON! 


This week's event listings


Alchemist & Barrister  
28 Witherspoon Street Princeton  
(609) 924-5555  
Thurs. "Pasta and Sinatra Night"  
Wed. 10 p.m. (TBA)  
Arts Council of Princeton  
102 Witherspoon Street Princeton  
(609) 924-8777 
Thurs. 6 p.m. "Summer Courtyard Concert Series" feat. Michael Austin. (Held at Princeton Shopping Center. See details below)
Bill's Olde Tavern  
2694 Nottingham Way Hamilton  
(609) 586-0192  
Thurs. 9 p.m. Trivia  
Ages 21+  
Blend Bar & Bistro  
911 Highway 33 Hamilton  
(609) 245-8887  
Tues. 8 p.m. Trivia  Jam  
Wed. 7 p.m. Karaoke 
Bowman's Tavern  
1600 River Road New Hope, PA  
(215) 862-2972  
Thurs. 6:30 p.m. Dave Dales Trio
Fri. 8 p.m. Bob Egan
Sat. 7 p.m. Greg Farnese Trio
Sun. (12 p.m.) Brunch w/ Ottmar (6 p.m.) Lorenzo
Mon. 6 p.m. Andy Prescott
Tues. 6 p.m. Lovey Williams
Wed. 6 p.m. Soul Custody
Brickwall Tavern & Dining Room  
19 E. Union Street Burlington  
(609) 733-3562 
Fri. 10 p.m. DJ Shorty Rock
Sat. 9 p.m. Organic Jam
Broken Goblet Brewing
1500 Grundy Lane Bristol, PA
(267) 812-5653
Thurs. 8 p.m. Mike Estabrook
Sat. 12 p.m. "Broken Goblet Yard Sale" 
Wed. 7 p.m. Open Mic Hosted by Brian Bortnick 
Brothers Pizza
871 Route 33 Hamilton 
(609) 586-2707
Thurs. 6 p.m. "Music On The Patio" feat. (TBA)
BT Restaurant & Tavern
2031 Route 130 South Burlington  
(609) 499-1355  
Thurs. 7 p.m. "Bike Night" feat. Asylum Choir
Burlington County Amphitheater
5 Pioneer Boulevard Westampton
Fri. 7 p.m. River Of Dreams
Sat. 7 p.m. The Fabulous Grease Band
Caffe Galleria
23 North Union Street Lambertville
(609) 397-2400
Fri. 7 p.m. Mike Montrey Duo
Candlelight Lounge  
24 Passaic Street Trenton  
(609) 695-9612  
Thurs. 6 p.m. Thursday Night Blues Jam
Sat. 3 p.m. (TBA) $10 (cover charge/$10 Minimum includes buffet)  
Tues. 6 p.m. "Tuesday Jazz Jam" Open Session feat. James Stewart / Tom Littwin Trios. $5 (Lite appetizers)
Championship Bar
931 Chambers street Trenton
(609) 396-5457
Fri. 7 p.m. Rust N' Stardust, Uncle Skunk, Avario, (TBA). All ages, $10
Sat. 7 p.m. "Summer Sludge" feat. Kolossor, Meatplow, Goat Wizard, Heavy Coughin, Witching. All ages, $10
Sun. 6 p.m. The Last Ten Seconds of Life, Extortionist, So This Is Suffering, Blackwolf, VRDN, gravelord. All ages, $13/$15
Mon. 8 p.m. "Art Chill Night"
Tuesday 8 p.m. "Jam Night" Hosted by Nikki & Caleb
Chickie's & Pete's  
183 US Highway 130 North Bordentown  
(609) 298-9182  
Tues. 8 p.m. Acoustic Music Night  
Wed. 9 p.m. Quizzo Trivia  
City Streets  
510 Highway 130 South East Windsor  
(609) 426-9400
Mon. 9 p.m. "Malibu Mondays"   
Tues. 9 p.m. Trivia w/ Jessie & Chelsea  
Wed. 6:30 p.m. "Wine Down Wednesdays" w/ Rich Genoval  
COARadio.com  
125 South Main Street Hightstown  
(609) 241-7103  
Sun. 7 p.m. "Rock On Radio" feat. Poppa John Bug 
Common Sense Brewing
102 Farnsworth Avenue Bordentown
(609) 526-8651
Sat. 6 p.m. Radio Fiction Duo
Cream Ridge Winery
145 Route 539 Cream Ridge
(609) 259-9797
Sat. 1:30 p.m. Alex English
Diamond's of Hamilton  
661 Route 33 Hamilton  
(609) 981-7900  
Sun. 10 a.m. "Live Jazz Brunch Buffet"  
Dog & Bull Brew House  
810 Bristol Pike (Rte. 13) Croydon, PA.  
(215) 788-2855  
Sat. (11 a.m.) "Saturday Brunch" feat. Michael Leggerie (9 p.m.) Cara Cartney
Sun. 11 a.m. "Sunday Brunch" feat. Keli Vale
Freddies Tavern  
12 Railroad Avenue Ewing  
(609) 882-0978 
Thurs. 8 p.m. Karaoke 
Fri. 9 p.m. Downright Down
Sat. 9 p.m. Paul Plumeri Blues Band
Tues. 7 p.m. Open Mic Hosted by Joe Vadala
Grounds For Sculpture
80 Sculptors way Hamilton
(609) 586-0616
Please check web site for upcoming events
Grover's Mill Coffee House  
Princeton-Hightstown Road Princeton Junction  
(609) 716-8771  
Thurs. 7 p.m. Open Mic. Hosted by Anker
Halo Pub
4617 Nottingham Way Hamilton Square
(609) 586-1811
Sat. 7 p.m. Deb & Mike
Halo Pub (Fete) 
9 Hullfish Street Princeton
(609) 921-1710
Sat. 6 p.m. David Jacobson
Havana New Hope  
105 S. Main Street New Hope, PA.  
(215) 862-9897 
Fri. (8:30 p.m.) Plush (12 a.m.) DJ Dance Party
Sat. (12 p.m.) Princeton School of Rock (8:30 p.m.) Se7en (12 a.m.) DJ Dance Party
Sun. (1:30 p.m.) Newtown School of Rock (6 p.m.) JB Kline Blues Band
Mon. 9 p.m. Karaoke 
Wed. 8 p.m. "Local Original Music Showcase" Hosted by Pat Foran feat. "Special Guests"
Hopewell Theater  
5 South Greenwood Avenue Hopewell  
(609) 466-1964 
Check web sire for upcoming events
Hopewell Valley Bistro & Inn  
15 East Broad Street Hopewell  
(609) 466-9889  
Fri. 8 p.m. Open Mic. Night  
Sun. 1 p.m. "Irish Music Session"
Hopewell Valley Vineyards  
46 Yard Avenue Pennington  
(609) 737-4465  
Thurs. 6 p.m. Christine Havrilla
Fri. 6 p.m. "Music & Merlot" feat. Tom McMillan Jazz Trio
Sat. 6 p.m. "Music & Merlot" feat. Jim Matlack & Frank Pinto
Sun. 2 p.m. "Jazzy Sundays" feat. Hopewell Valley Vineyards Jazz Ensemble
Hurricane Jacks Bar and Grill  
7759 New Falls Road Levittown, PA  
(267) 914-4517  
Thurs. 9 p.m. Karaoke w/ Paul Kircher  
Fri. 9 p.m. Asylum Choir
Tues. 9 p.m. Karaoke w/ Paula & Sam  
Iron Plow Vineyards  
26750 Mount Pleasant Road Columbus  
(732) 306-9111  
Fri. 6 p.m. Gregg Parker
Sat. 1 p.m. Audio Pilot
Sun. 1 p.m. Terry Rivel   
Ivy Tavern  
3108 S. Broad Street, Hamilton  
(609) 888-1435  
Thurs. 9:30 p.m. Karaoke  
Fri. 9 p.m. Einstein Bridge
Sat. 9 p.m. Unleashed
All shows 21+  
Jake's Eatery  
869 Bustleton Pike Richboro, PA  
(215) 322-6787  
Thurs. 7 p.m. "Ladies Night" 
Wed. 8 p.m. Trivia Night  
Jimmy's Firestone American Grill
140 Route 130 South Bordentown
(609) 291-0200
Thurs. 8 p.m. "Bar Games and Trivia"
John & Peter's  
96 S. Main Street New Hope, Pa  
(215) 862-5981 
Fri. 9 p.m. Gigantic Pixies Tribute
Sat. (3 p.m.) The Real Fugitives (9:30 p.m.) The Great Bonfire
Sun. (3 p.m.) Black Cat Habitat (9:30 p.m.) Devil's Bubblegum
Mon. 9 p.m. Open Mic.  
Tues. (1 p.m.) Dunk Tank Benefit for "Tibet House" (9 p.m.) Something Happens 
Wed. 9 p.m. The Invitational  
All shows 21+ 
Killarney's Publick House  
1644 Whitehorse-Mercerville Road Hamilton 
(609) 586-1166 
Thurs. 5 p.m. Radio Fiction
Sat. 10 p.m. DJ Jimmy G
Laurita Winery  
85 Archertown Road New Egypt  
(609) 752-0200  
Thurs. 6 p.m. Low Country Boil
Sat. 1 p.m. First Call
Sun. 1 p.m. Rick Winow
Wed. 6 p.m. "Laurita Summer Grill Night"
Legends Tap 
318 High Street Burlington
(609) 386-3001
Sat. 8 p.m. Kim Yarson & Friends
Logan Inn  
10 West Ferry Street New Hope, PA  
(215) 862-2300
Fri. 7 p.m. John Beacher
Sat. 7:30 p.m. Zeke Sky Band 
Sun. 11 am "Jazz Brunch" feat. Dave Dales
McGuinn's Place  
1781 Brunswick Avenue Lawrence  
(609) 392-0599  
Tues. 9 p.m. Karaoke  
Ages 21+  
McStews Irish Sports Pub  
5316 New Falls Road Levittown, PA  
(215) 949-9570  
Thurs. 10:30 p.m."Beer Pong" w/ DJ RV & MC Slim 
Sat. 9 p.m. Orion. $5
Tues. 7 p.m. Quizzo hosted by Mike  
Wed. 9 p.m. Karaoke w/ Kirchner Entertainment  
Mercer County Park Boathouse Marina
Hughes Drive/Old Trenton Road West Windsor
(866) 683-3586
Thurs. 5 p.m. "Happy Hour" feat. (TBA). (Food/drink specials, cigar bar, boat tours)
Mercer County Park Festival Grounds
Hughes Drive/Old Trenton Road West Windsor
(609) 448-1947
Please check web site for upcoming events
Millhill Basement  
300 S. Broad Street Trenton  
(609) 989-1600 
Sat. 9 p.m. "PierceFest 2018" feat. Mikey Erg Band, School Drugs, Erotic Novels: Band, Coach's Son (ALL bands will be performong w/ Chris Pierce). $8 
Tues. 10 p.m. "Local Artist" Hip Hop, Experimental EDM and Bass Music Showcase 
Mill Hill Park Levitt Amp Concert Series
165 East Front Street Trenton
Thurs. 5 p.m. Capital Philharmonic of NJ & Trenton Central High School Orchestra. (FREE Admission)
Music On Main
15 South Main Street Yardley, PA 
Sat. 6 p.m. Rumspringa
Music On The Street
16 South State Street Newtown, PA
Thurs. 6 p.m. Hearts Club Band
New Hope Winery 
6123 Lower York Road New Hope, PA
(215) 794-2331
Sat. 8 p.m. Route 80's. Doors at 7 p.m., $25
Tues./Wed. 8 p.m. The Fixx. Doors at 7 p.m., $55. (Currently SOLD OUT, please check for ticket availability)
Nook's PourHouse  
2043 Route 130 South Florence  
(609) 447-0927  
Sat. 9 p.m. The Suspects
Tues. 8 p.m. Trivia Tuesday w/ Quizoholics  
Nottingham Tavern  
9 Mercer Street Hamilton Square  
(609) 587-6623  
Thurs. 9 p.m. Karaoke w/ DJ Super Dave  
Fri. 9 p.m. Frank Pinto and Rich Ziegler
Sat. 9 p.m. Black Brant
Ages 21+  
Old Town Pub  
135 Farnsworth Avenue Bordentown  
(609) 291-9232 
Thurs. 8 p.m. Quizzoholics Trivia
Tues. 9 p.m. Radio Fiction Duo
Palace Of Asia
4591 Route 27 Kingston
(609) 497-9500
Wed. 7 p.m. True Acoustic
Palermo's Of Hamilton  
310 Klockner Road Hamilton  
(609) 838-7979  
Thurs. 8 p.m. Karaoke 
All shows 21 +  
Patriots Crossing  
1339 River Road Titusville  
(609) 737-2780 
Thurs. 8 p.m. Karaoke w/ DJ Bobby Jones
Fri. 9 p.m. "Dance Party" w/ DJ Bobby Jones
Sat. 8 p.m. Black Market
Wed. 7 p.m. "Quizzo"
Parx Casino (360 Bar)  
2999 Street Road Bensalem, PA  
(888) 588-7299  
Thurs. 9 p.m. "Latin Night" w/ DJ George Dennis
Fri. (5 p.m.) Witzend (9:30 p.m.) Le Compt (10 p.m.) DJ Paul Desisto
Sat. (5 p.m.) Cracklin Diamond (9:30 p.m.) Lima Bean Rtot (10 p.m.) DJ Capps
Sun. 4:30 p.m. 40 North Country
Wed. 8 p.m. Julia Scotti   
Pete's Steak House  
523 Whitehorse Avenue Hamilton  
(609) 585-8008  
Fri. 9 p.m. John Bushnell & Ernie White
Sat. 9 p.m. Polish Nannies
Wed. 9 p.m. Karaoke  
Princeton Shopping Center
301 North Harrison Street Princeton
Thurs. 6 p.m. Michael Austin
Randy Now's Man Cave 
134 Farnsworth Avenue Bordentown  
(609) 424-3766 
Pleas check web site for upcoming events
Rossi's Bar & Grill  
2110 Whitehorse-Mercerville Road Hamilton  
(609) 890-2004  
Thurs. 7 p.m. Jerry Monk & Joe Kramer
Salt Creek Grille  
1 Rockingham Row Princeton  
(609) 419-4200  
Fri. 8 p.m. Brad Mandigo
Sat. 8 p.m. Tim Brent
Small World Coffee  
14 Witherspoon Street Princeton  
(609) 924-4377 x2 
Sat. 8:30 p.m. Dan Kassel
Stone Terrace by John Henry's
2275 Kuser Road Hamilton
(609) 581-8855
Thurs. 6 p.m. Dick Gratton
Wed. 6 p.m. Dick Gratton
1867 Sanctuary  
101 Scotch Road Ewing  
(609) 392-6409
Thurs. 8 p.m. The TriTones. $20
Fri. 7 p.m. Open Mic Night
Sat. 8 p.m. John Gray & the Jazz Thieves. $20
Sun. 8 p.m. Liz Hogg. $20
Mon. 8 p.m. Doris Spears. $20
Wed. 8 p.m. Curbside Solution. $20
Tara's Tavern 
1 Cookstown-New Egypt Road, Wrightstown  
(609) 286-2300  
Fri. 10 p.m. Mike & Karli
Sat. 10 p.m. Ernie & Lisa
Tavern On The Lake  
101 Main Street Hightstown  
(609) 426-9345  
Fri. 9 p.m. (TBA)
Sat. 9 p.m. Extreme Measures
Wed. 8 p.m. Karaoke Night  
Temperance House  
5 South State Street Newtown, PA  
(215) 944-8050  
Thurs. 7 p.m. Blues Open Mic Hosted by Steve Guyger  
Tues. 7 p.m. Quizzo w/ Righteous Jolly  
Wed. 7 p.m. Open Session Jazz Night
The Birdhouse Center For The Arts
7 North Main Street Lambertville
(215) 681-4660
Please check web site for upcoming events
The Cool Cricket  
216 Burlington Street Fieldsboro  
(609) 291-9110  
Fri. 9 p.m. Karaoke  
Sat. 9 p.m. El Ka Bong
The Cure Insurance Center  
81 Hamilton Ave. Trenton  
(609) 656-3200  
Check website for upcoming events  
The Dubliner
34 North Main Street New Hope, PA
(215) 693-1816
Fri. 8 p.m. Ray Coleman
Sat. 8 p.m. The Willie Lynch Band
Sun. 3 p.m. "Traditional Irish Session"
The Five Four Bar & Grill
8919 New Falls Road Levittown, PA
(215) 547-5525
Wed. 7 p.m. "Lyrical Conundrums" w/ Cara and Righteous
The Four Crows Café
41 North Main Street New Hope, PA
(215) 869-5252
Sat. (2 p.m.) CubiZM (5 p.m.) Jeff Lohan   
The HOB Tavern  
146 Second Street Bordentown  
(609) 291-7020  
Fri. 8 p.m. DJ Entertainment
Tues 9 p.m. Open Mic. Night  
Wed. 8 p.m. (TBA)
The Ivy Inn  
248 Nassau Street Princeton  
(609) 921-8555  
Thurs. 10 p.m. Karaoke w/ DJ Rockin' Ron  
Fri. 10 p.m. Stereo 87
Sat. 10 p.m. (TBA)
Tues. 8 p.m. Quizzo w/ Bob E Luv  
Wed. 10 p.m. "Wednesday Wheel Night Spin To Win Karaoke" w/ DJ Rockn Ron  
The Pines Tavern  
6217 North Radcliffe Street Bristol, PA  
(215) 788-1659  
Sun. 3 p.m. Open Mic. Hosted by Bill Monach Jr.  
The RRazz Room (Clarion Hotel)
6426 Lower York Road New Hope, PA
(888) 596-1027
Fri. 8 p.m. "A Tribute to Miss Dionne Warwick" w/ Paula Johns. $35
Sat. 7:30 p.m. "Finally" feat. Marie Scodari. $20
The Record Collector  
358 Farnsworth Avenue Bordentown  
(609) 324-0880  
Check web site for upcoming events
The Roost  
181 Rte. 539 Cream Ridge  
(609) 208-0050
Sat. 9 p.m. Rob Silvers  
Wed. 9 p.m. Karaoke
The Sticky Wicket  
2465 South Broad Street Hamilton  
(609) 439-0007  
Thurs. 9 p.m. "Throwback Thursday" w/ DJ Chillio 
Tues. 7 p.m. Karaoke  
The Sycamore Grill  
255 North Sycamore Street Newtown, PA  
(215) 908-6326  
Thurs. 5 p.m. Dan Ward
Fri. 8 p.m. Kick Bax
Sat. 8 p.m. Idlewoodsman
Sun. 3 p.m. Jenny and Brian
Wed. 6 p.m. A.J. Slick
Third State Brewing 
352 High Street Burlington
(609) 387-1620
Check web site for upcoming events
Tir Na Nog  
1324 Hamilton Avenue Trenton  
(609) 392-2554
Sat. 9 p.m. Billy Walsh
All Shows 21+
Trenton Buzz  
702 Pine Street Trenton  
(609) 392-6000  
Fri. 8 p.m. Live Band & Open Mic.  
Sat. 10 p.m. "Buzzed Saturdays" w/ Bockman  
Trenton Social  
449 South Broad Street Trenton  
(609) 989-7777 
Fri. 9 p.m. DJ ItsJustAhmad
Sun. 6 p.m. DJ's Dre & Linda aka "Brown Sugar"
Tues. 7 p.m. Open Mic. Night w/ Benny P  
Triumph Brewing Company (New Hope, Pa. Location)  
400 Union Square New Hope, Pa.  
(215) 862-8300  
Thurs. 8 p.m. Trivia
Fri. 10 p.m. Primus Tribute w/ Los Bastardos. $5 (cover charge)
Sat. 10 p.m. Tucker Hill. $5 (cover charge) 
All shows 21+
Wildflowers Inn  
2572 Pennington Road Pennington  
(609) 773-2392  
Sat. 9 p.m. Acoustic Rock Night  
Mon. 9 p.m. "Moonshine Mondays" Trivia 
Tues. 9 p.m. Ed Wilson
Working Dog Winery  
610 Windsor Perrineville Road Hightstown  
(609) 371-6000  
Sat. 1 p.m. Frank Cervantes


Danny Coleman is a veteran musician and writer from central New Jersey. He hosts a weekly radio program entitled 'Rock On Radio' airing Sunday evenings at 7:00pm EST on ThePenguinRocks.com where he features indie/original bands and solo artists.

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A

A Very Maysa Christmas with Special Guests The String Queens

Saturday, December 14, 2024 @ 8:00pm
Union County Performing Arts Center - Main Stage
1601 Irving Street, Rahway, NJ 07065
category: music

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Rock

Rock This Town Christmas Spectacular Matinee Show

Saturday, December 14, 2024 @ 3:00pm
Lizzie Rose Music Room
217 E. Main Street, Tuckerton, NJ 08087
category: music

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Lenny

Lenny Kaye & Friends / Tammy Faye Starlite

Saturday, December 14, 2024 @ 8:00pm
Outpost In The Burbs
40 S Fullerton Ave, Montclair, NJ 07042
category: music

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Chris

Chris Pinnella: Christmas in Red Bank

Saturday, December 14, 2024 @ 7:00pm
The Vogel
99 Monmouth Street, Red Bank, NJ 07701
category: music

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Chris

Chris Pinnella: Christmas in Red Bank

Saturday, December 14, 2024 @ 2:00pm
The Vogel
99 Monmouth Street, Red Bank, NJ 07701
category: music

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Christmas

Christmas with Chris Ruggiero

Saturday, December 14, 2024 @ 7:30pm
Avenel Performing Arts Center
150 Avenel Street, Avenel, NJ 07001
category: music

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Christmas

Christmas with Chris Ruggiero

Saturday, December 14, 2024 @ 2:00pm
Avenel Performing Arts Center
150 Avenel Street, Avenel, NJ 07001
category: music

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Broadway

Broadway for the Holidays 4

Saturday, December 14, 2024 @ 7:30pm
Grunin Center - Black Box Theater
1 College Drive, Toms River, NJ 08754
category: music

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Rock

Rock This Town - Christmas Spectacular

Saturday, December 14, 2024 @ 7:30pm
Lizzie Rose Music Room
217 E. Main Street, Tuckerton, NJ 08087
category: music

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EVENT PREVIEWS

(RAHWAY, NJ) -- Get ready to celebrate the holidays in style! Union County Performing Arts Center (UCPAC) presents A Very Maysa Christmas on Saturday, December 14, 2024 at 8:00pm. In this concert you'll be immersed in the sounds of her 11-piece jazz funk soul orchestra.


Asbury

Asbury Park Theater Company presents A Big Band Holiday to Remember Fundraiser & Concert



V.

V. Shayne Frederick & Co: A Joyful Jazzy Holiday at Lyceum Hall


 

UPCOMING EVENTS

(MONTCLAIR, NJ) -- Outpost in the Burbs presents Robyn Hitchcock on Saturday, October 26, 2024 at First Congregational Church of Montclair. Imogen Clark will open the night. Doors are at 7:30pm, showtime is 8:00pm.


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