(JERSEY CITY, NJ) -- Jersey City is getting its own Latin Jazz Festival! Riverview Jazz, the JC-based non-profit that produces the Jersey City Jazz Festival and countless other community programs, has partnered with Exchange Place Alliance to present a one-day celebration at Exchange Place Plaza where Montgomery Street meets the Hudson River. The Festival will be held on Saturday, September 14, 2024 from 1:00pm to 8:00pm with an opening party on Friday night, September 13th. The Festival will feature two stages, food trucks, Salsa dance lessons, children’s programming, and much more.
The Festival is free to the public, and all ages are welcome. Headlining the event will be legendary trombonist Jimmy Bosch Salsa Masters. Other performers include one of NYC’s most in-demand bassists, John Benitez; a Latin music showcase from Jersey City’s award-winning record label Circle 9; Cuban singing sensation Chino Pons; Grammy-nominated Cuban vocalist and pianist Ariacne Trujillo with her quartet; Juanga Lakunza from WBGO’s Kids Jazz Concert Series; and the United Children’s Music Project Latin Ensemble. Riverview Jazz has once again partnered with local organizations to highlight the rich culture of Jersey City. Jersey City Free Public Library’s Biblioteca Criolla will be hosting children's activities at the RWJ Barnabas Community Zone. Salsa Fever on2, a Jersey City Heights-based dance studio led by Mario B will provide free dance classes at the event. Canopy Hotel will hold an opening night celebration on Friday, and Rooftop at Exchange Place (Hyatt House) will be hosting an afterparty late on Saturday night.
The artists at this year’s event have shared the stage with a who’s who of Latin music. The Hobokenite Jimmy Bosch has been featured with Ruben Blades, the Fania All-Stars, Pete “Conde” Rodriguez, and Eddie Palmieri to name a few. Circle 9 is the project of longtime Riverview Jazz collaborator and Grammy-winning producer Doug Beavers. Doug has been the principal arranger for Spanish Harlem Orchestra for years and has collaborated with the likes of Palmieri, Joe Lovano, Kurt Elling, and more.
Admission is free and the events are rain or shine. For the latest information, attendees can follow www.RiverviewJazz.Org, RiverviewJazz on FaceBook, or follow #riverviewjazzjc on Instagram. Public transportation is available via the PATH, Hudson-Bergen Light Rail, NY Waterway ferries, and NJ Transit bus. For more information go to www.RiverviewJazz.Org and www.ExchangePlaceAlliance.com.
The Jersey City Latin Jazz Festival is sponsored by Exchange Place Alliance, a not-for-profit Special Improvement District. The Festival is also made possible in part by Mayor Steven M. Fulop, the Jersey City Municipal Council, and the Office of Cultural Affairs. RiverviewJazz.Org is a 501(c)(3) not-for-profit organization.
SCHEDULE
Exchange Place Alliance Plaza Stage
1:00pm - UCMP Latin Jazz Ensemble
3:00pm - Chino Pons and Grupo Irek
5:00pm - Circle 9 Presents: Doug Beavers, Robby Ameen, Gabriel Chakarji, Alex “Apolo” Ayala, Carlos Cascante and Ali Bello, and more!
7:00pm - Jimmy Bosch Salsa Masters
RWJBarnabas Community Zone
1:30pm - Randal Y Ramiro Torres
2:30pm - UCMP Drum Class with Enildo Rasúa
3:30pm - Storytime (in Spanish) presented by the Jersey City Free Public Library
4:30pm - Pedro Atencia, Corazòn Legũero
Diplomatico Courtyard
2:00pm - WBGO for Kids with Juanga Lakunza
4:00pm - John Benitez
6:00pm - Ariacne Trujillo Quartet
Pier Stage
Dance Lessons presented by Salsa Fever on2 at 2:00pm, 4:00pm, and 6:00pm
5:00pm Cadencia Dancers (Flamenco)
