Daniel Bernard Roumain, Resident Artist Catalyst at the New Jersey Symphony, on Black Classical Music, Hip-Hop, and The Newark Museum of Art’s Summer Concert Series
By Christopher Benincasa, JerseyArts.com
originally published: 08/05/2022
Earlier this week, composer, performer, educator, activist, and New Jersey Symphony Resident Artistic Catalyst Daniel Bernard Roumain brought jazz and jazz-inspired classical music to the Newark Museum of Art’s Summer Series along with a co-host, Grammy Award-winning clarinetist and saxophonist Paquito D’Rivera, and the New Jersey Symphony Chamber Players.
Roumain has worked with Lady Gaga, Philip Glass, Savion Glover, Bill T. Jones, and many more. He won an Emmy for composing music for ESPN, and he scored the film Ailey, a documentary about legendary choreographer Alvin Ailey, which premiered at Sundance Film Festival last year.
In this episode, we speak with Roumain about his unique role at NJ Symphony, Black classical music and hip-hop’s global influence.
The Newark Museum of Art’s summer concert series continues Aug. 6 at 7 p.m. with Simply Simone: The Music of Nina Simone. Aug. 11 — A Night of Jazz and Soul with Patience Higgins and the Sugar Hill Quartet and Aug. 17 — Bass & Flute Extravaganza
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.
Content provided by
Discover Jersey Arts, a project of the ArtPride New Jersey Foundation and New Jersey State Council on the Arts.
EVENT PREVIEWS

City Winery NYC presents Sly and the Vine: A Funkadelic Tasting Experience with Vernon Reid of Living Colour

Shemekia Copeland to Perform Free Concert in Atlantic City

State Theatre New Jersey presents Straight No Chaser - SUMMER: The 90's
(NEW BRUNSWICK, NJ) -- State Theatre New Jersey presents Straight No Chaser – SUMMER: The 90's Part 2 on Wednesday, July 16, 2025 at 7:30pm. Featuring their twist on 90s classics like Lisa Loeb's "Stay (I Missed You)," "Everybody" by Backstreet Boys, "Linger" from The Cranberries, and Santana's "Maria Maria," Straight No Chaser brings audiences of all ages back to a simpler time, one unafraid of bright neons, loud prints, and cool boy bands.

A Chat with Jasper Smith of Straight No Chaser Which Brings its "Summer: The '90s Part 2" Tour to STNJ on July 16

Hoboken's Sinatra Park to Host Concert by Freedy Johnson and Karyn Kuhl and the Gang
(HOBOKEN, NJ) -- Local events organizer, Geri Fallo, who retired last year, is inviting you to celebrate with her, as she embraces new and exciting endeavors. Come enjoy a free evening of music in Hoboken's Sinatra Park (525 Sinatra Drive) on Thursday, July 17, 2025. The evening is presented by Mayor Ravi Bhalla, The Hoboken Division of Cultural Affairs, and Geri Fallo. The event is free, and music starts at 6:30pm. Come early for the best seating.
FEATURED EVENTS
To narrow results by date range, categories,
or region of New Jersey
click here for our advanced search.