(MORRISTOWN, NJ) -- Swingadelic, called the New York City metro regions’ “greatest little big band,” will make their first appearance at the Bickford Theatre in Morristown on Thursday, October 5 with a tribute to jazz legend Ella Fitzgerald. The concert begins at 7:30pm. The venue will also host the final food truck picnic of the season, beginning at 5:00pm for those who want to enjoy some fall tailgating.
Led by bassist Dave Post, the 11-piece orchestra is comprised of some of the region’s top jazz musicians including John Bauers, piano & vocals; Michael Weisberger, tenor sax; Bill Easely, alto sax; Ansy Francois, baritone sax; trumpeters Carlos Francis and Paul Tafoya; Rob Edwards, trombone and arranger; Neal Pawley, trombone; Paul Pizzuti, drums; and singer Vanessa Perea.
Founded in 1998 as the neo-swing movement was cresting, Swingadelic has become a weekly fixture at New York’s Swing 46. They also make an annual appearance at Lincoln Center’s Midsummer Night’s Swing and have performed at many of the biggest festivals along the East Coast including Musikfest in Bethlehem, PA, the New Jersey Jazz Society’s Jazzfest in Madison, NJ, Bele Chere in Ashville, NC, and the Morristown Jazz & Blues Festival in Morristown, NJ.
The critics have loved Swingadelic with Jazz Times calling them “an excellent party band,” and EJazz News writing that “together these guys swing mightily and crank out first-rate big band music in style.”
Tickets are $20 in advance and may be purchased online at morrismuseum.org, by phone at (973) 971-3706, or in person at the Bickford Theatre Box Office. All seats are reserved but you can select where to sit. The concert begins at 7:30 and swing dancers are welcome. The popular tailgate picnic will begin at 5:00 with two great food trucks: The Guac Spot which is coming back by popular demand by theatre patrons and Zoelily Empanadas, with the food trucks opening at 5:00.
The Bickford Theatre at the Morris Museum is located at 6 Normandy Heights Road in Morristown, NJ, and offers free parking and full accessibility. Box office hours for phone sales are Monday through Friday, 10:00am to 5:00pm. Walk-up hours are Tuesday through Friday, 11:00am to 5:00pm. All seats for the concert are reserved and available online at www.morrismuseum.org or by phone at 973-971-3706.
Photo of Swingadelic by Gary Ashley.
