By Christopher Benincasa, JerseyArts.com
originally published: 02/20/2020
Did you know that New Brunswick, N.J. is the only place in the country where you can see live, world-class jazz every week for free? You can thank the New Brunswick Jazz Project. We recently sat down with the New Brunswick Jazz Project team at Tavern on George, where most of their events take place. Jimmy Lenihan, Virginia DeBerry, and Michael Tublin are long-time friends who share a passion for jazz, and, 10 years ago, they set out on a mission together to bring live jazz back to New Jersey in a big way.
Now in its 10th season, the New Brunswick Jazz Project has become a vibrant cultural hub, with a never-ending line-up of live shows – all free and open to the public. Additionally, every September is their Central Jersey Jazz Festival, with events happening in New Brunswick, Somerville, and Flemington. And on top of that, every Tuesday they host Emerging Artists Night at the Garden State Ale House in New Brunswick, featuring both performances and open jam sessions.
About the author: Christopher Benincasa is an Emmy Award-winning arts and culture journalist. He produced content for NJ PBS for a decade before co-founding PCK Media. Christopher currently works as a freelance producer, video editor, writer, and communications specialist for a diverse set of commercial, non-profit, and government clients. His work has been featured on various PBS stations, and in American Abstract Artists Journal, The Structurist, Paterson Literary Review, and JerseyArts.com.
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Discover Jersey Arts, a project of the ArtPride New Jersey Foundation and New Jersey State Council on the Arts.
EVENT PREVIEWS

MPAC presents Women of Americana: A Celebration of American Music
(MORRISTOWN, NJ) -- Coinciding with the United States' upcoming semiquincentennial, Women of Americana: A Celebration of American Music, produced by Eli Wolf, comes to Mayo Performing Arts Center (MPAC) on Thursday, April 9, 2026 at 7:30pm.

Morris Museum presents Cerus Quartet on April 9th
(MORRISTOWN, NJ) -- The Morris Museum presents Cerus Quartet on Thursday, April 9, 2026 at 7:00pm. Founded in 2022, the Cerus Quartet is dedicated to showcasing the dynamic and versatile sound of the saxophone quartet.

Newton Theatre presents GRUNGEFEST: Tributes to Pearl Jam & Chris Cornell
(NEWTON, NJ) -- Fans of grunge music will want to mark their calendars for GRUNGEFEST on Friday, April 10, 2026 at The Newton Theatre. The Ledbetters will pay tribute to Pearl Jam and Superunknown will perform songs by Chris Cornell. Showtime is 8:00pm.

SOPAC presents Texas Flood - A Tribute to Stevie Ray Vaughan
(SOUTH ORANGE, NJ) -- Texas Flood - A Tribute to Stevie Ray Vaughan comes to the South Orange Performing Arts Center (SOPAC) on Friday, April 10, 2026 at 7:30pm.

Westminster Conservatory Faculty Recital on April 10th to honor Galina Prilutskaya
(PRINCETON, NJ) -- On Friday, April 10, 2026 at 7:30pm, Westminster Conservatory of Rider University will present a faculty recital to honor the memory of Galina Prilutskaya, a long-time member of the Conservatory's piano faculty who died on October 11, 2025. The recital will take place in Hillman Performance Hall in the Marion Buckelew Cullen Music Center (101 Walnut Lane) in Princeton. The recital is open to the public free of charge.

State Theatre presents Graham Nash in April
(NEW BRUNSWICK, NJ) -- State Theatre New Jersey presents Graham Nash - Live on Tour 2026 on Saturday, April 11 at 8:00pm. Graham Nash will perform a career-spanning retrospective of his six decades of contributions to contemporary music. Tickets start at $47.

RVCC Theatre presents Rolling Stones Tribute Band on April 11th
(BRANCHBURG, NJ) -- The Theatre at Raritan Valley Community College's Mainstage series will rock out its season with a performance of Satisfaction: The International Rolling Stones Tribute Show, Saturday, April 11, 2026 at 7:00pm.

State Theatre New Jersey and Metropolitan Entertainment present Graham Nash
(NEW BRUNSWICK, NJ) -- State Theatre New Jersey and Metropolitan Entertainment present Graham Nash - Live on Tour 2026 on Saturday, April 11, 2026 at 8:00pm. Nash will perform a career-spanning retrospective from his six decades of contributions to contemporary music.

Grunin Center presents Latin Grammy Award Winner, Nella
(TOMS RIVER, NJ) -- Renowned singer Nella brings her multilingual artistry to Ocean County College, performing on Saturday, April 11, 2026 at the Grunin Center for the Arts. Showtime is 7:00pm.