By Bob Makin
originally published: 09/22/2023
Jersey City-based jazz harpist Edmar Castaneda will particpiate in the inaugural Middlesex County Jazz Festival next week. His “For Jaco” is the Makin Waves Song of the Week.
The inaugural Middlesex County Jazz Festival kicks off next week, and in celebration, Grammy-winning Jersey City-based jazz harpist Edmar Castaneda is the Makin Waves Song of the Week.
“For Jaco,” a very inspired Weather Report-like salute to electric jazz bass great Jaco Pastorius, appeared on Edmar’s “Family,” which won the Grammy for Best Latin Jazz Album.
As the Makin Waves Song of the Week, “For Jaco” also can be heard between 6 and 8 p.m. on Sept. 22 on “Radio Jersey” at ThePenguinRocks.com. If you miss it, you can tune in any time in the archives at The Penguin and MixCloud.
Middlesex County Jazz Festival will take place Sept. 28 to Oct. 1 in Edison, Perth Amboy, New Brunswick, Metuchen, and Woodbridge. Edmar will share the stage with his quartet on the Oct. 1 bill at Parker Press Park in Woodbridge with fellow Jersey City-based jazz artist Alicia Olatuja and her quintet and Woodbridge High School Jazz Choir. They will perform from 3:30 to 6:30 p.m.
For more about Edmar, visit https://www.edmarcastaneda.com.
The rest of the fest will feature:
* Victor Quezada and his Latin Jazz Band, The Delegations, and JP Stevens Jazz Ensemble under the direction of John Zazzedi, 6-8:30 p.m. Sept. 28, Papaianni Park, Edison
* Forbidden Tropics and Julian Meyers Koncept, 7-9 p.m. Sept. 29, Historic Perth Amboy Ferry Slip
* Nat Adderley Jr. Quartet, Conrad Herwig Latin Side All-Stars, and New Brunswick Jazz Project Brass, 1-5:30 p.m. Sept. 30, Livingston Avenue in front of the New Brunswick Performing Arts Center
* Cyrus Chestnut Quartet, Molly Ryan and Manhattan Premier, Metuchen High School Jazz Ensemble Big Band under the direction of John Messenger, and Jill Justin Dance Alliance, 6-9:30 p.m., Halsey Street Metuchen Station Lot 6.
The Middlesex County Jazz Festival is presented by New Brunswick Jazz Project, Perth Amboy Artworks, New Brunswick Cultural Center, and Metuchen Arts Council and sponsored by Amazon, Puffin, KW by the Bay, Johnson & Johnson, State Theatre New Jersey, New Brunswick City Center, Worldwide Piano, Friends of Metuchen Arts, Westerhoff School of Music & Art, and Manasquan Bank.
For more details, visit https://middlesexcountyjazzfestival.org.
Bob Makin has produced Makin Waves since 1988. Follow Makin Waves on Facebook and contact Bob at [email protected].
About the author:
New Jersey Stage is proud to be the home of Bob Makin's Makin Waves column since 2017. His Song of the Week column comes out every Friday. He also writes an Album of the Month and Interview of the Month as well.
EVENT PREVIEWS
Telegraph Quartet to Perform on the Morris Museum's Back Deck to Kick Off Its Celebrated Summer Outdoor Concerts Series
(MORRISTOWN, NJ) -- On Thursday, June 11, 2026, the Telegraph Quartet will return to perform for the Morris Museum's seventh annual Back Deck season. This outdoor concert series began during the pandemic, and The New York Times describes it as "Live Music Splendor in a Parking Lot." Showtime is 7:30pm.
Carteret PAC presents Jo Dee Messina
(CARTERET, NJ) -- Chart-topping country music icon Jo Dee Messina will perform at The URSB Carteret Performing Arts and Events Center on Friday, June 12, 2026. Messina is known for her powerful vocals and extensive catalog including nine number-one hits, 16 Top 40 songs, and awards and nominations from the ACM, CMA, AMA, Billboard, and the Grammys. Showtime is 8:000pm.
SOPAC to Celebrate 20th Anniversary with Gala 20: Featuring Max Weinberg's Jukebox
(SOUTH ORANGE, NJ) -- The South Orange Performing Arts Center (SOPAC) will celebrate its 20th Anniversary on Friday, June 12, 2026 with Gala 20: Featuring Max Weinberg's Jukebox — a venue-wide celebration from 5:00pm–11:00pm.
Trenton City Museum presents Art & Song: A Musical Gallery on June 12th
(TRENTON, NJ) -- Trenton City Museum presents the concert Art & Song: A Musical Gallery on Friday, June 12, 2026 at 6:30pm. Versatile vocalists Tom Chiola and Pam Jorgensen, accompanied by the George Sinkler Trio, will delight audience members with selections from Broadway, Blues, Jazz, and more. Transformed into a stylish jazz café, the museum will also provide delicious food and beverages amid the art of the just-opened Ellarslie Open 43 exhibition. Doors will open at 6:00pm.
French Montana to Headline Grand Opening of Dream Live Performing Arts Center
(EAST RUTHERFORD, NJ) -- American Dream will celebrate the region's opening World Cup match between Brazil and Morocco with the debut of its newest venue, the Dream Live Performing Arts Center, with a postgame concert by French Montana on June 13, 2026 at 9:00pm.
Sergio Mendes' Wife, Gracinha Leporace, Brings His 'Best Band Ever' to New Jersey
Sixty years ago, Herb Alpert Presents Sergio Mendes & Brasil '66 (A&M Records) emerged as both a masterful artistic statement and a major commercial breakthrough album. The record helped introduce the sophisticated rhythms and cool elegance of Brazilian bossa nova and samba to a truly global audience, blending Brazilian musical traditions with American pop, jazz, and contemporary studio production and repertoire.
Marc Ribler & Friends to perform Paul McCartney birthday tribute "When I'm 84" at Axelrod PAC
(DEAL, NJ) -- As a tribute to Sir Paul McCartney's upcoming 84th birthday in June, Jersey Shore musician Marc Ribler has put together an all-star lineup to perform "When I'm 84" at the Axelrod Performing Arts Center on Saturday, June 13 and Sunday, June 14, 2026.
Levoy Theatre presents Paul Thorn on June 18th
(MILLVILLE, NJ) -- The Levoy Theatre presents Paul Thorn on Thursday, June 18, 2026 at 7:30pm. When it comes to songwriting, less is more, and simplicity is strength. Just ask Paul Thorn, who’s spent three decades turning soulful grooves and small syllables into songs that pack a big wallop.
Erin Harpe & Countryman Jim Bring Award-Nominated Country Blues to Lizzie Rose Music Room on June 18th
(TUCKERTON, NJ) -- Award-nominated country blues duo Erin Harpe & Countryman Jim will bring their captivating blend of traditional country blues, folk, and Americana to the Lizzie Rose Music Room on Thursday, June 18, 2026 at 7:30pm.
The Black Crowes and Whiskey Myers to Perform at Prudential Center
(NEWARK, NJ) -- Genre-defying rock legends The Black Crowes bring their massive co-headlining Southern Hospitality Tour with modern rock's boundary-pushing powerhouse Whiskey Myers to Prudential Center in Newark on Saturday, June 20, 2026 at 8:00pm.
MORE EVENTS
Click on the listing to bring up its webpage
