Makin Waves Song of the Week: "Sunny V" by Jerry Weldon

By Bob Makin

originally published: 10/27/2023

Jersey Jazz great Jerry Weldon will record a live album on Nov. 3 at New Brunswick Performing Arts Center. One of the tunes he’ll record, “Sunny V,” is the Makin Waves Song of the Week.

Internationally renowned veteran sax man Jerry Weldon has been a player on the jazz scene for more than 45 years. With 12 CDs as a leader and more sideman sides than even he can count or remember, the native New Yorker's performance/recording resume reflects his venerable tenor tenure and reads like a Who's Who of Jazz.

His next album will be captured live on Nov. 3 at New Brunswick Performing Arts Center. Among the songs he’ll record is “Sunny V,” the Makin Waves Song of the Week.

As the Makin Waves Song of the Week, “Sunny V” also can be heard between 6 and 8 p.m. on Oct. 27 on “Radio Jersey” at ThePenguinRocks.com. If you miss it, you can tune in any time in the archives at The Penguin and MixCloud.

Jerry wrote “Sunny V” for his wife, Virginia DeBerry, the co-founder/organizer of New Brunswick Jazz Project, the presenter of the Nov. 3 NBPAC concert/live recording.

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Jerry’s connection to New Brunswick harkens back to his jazz studies at Rutgers University, which he graduated from in 1981. He then joined legendary Lionel Hampton Orchestra and continued his association with Hamp into the millennium.

Next came a long, rewarding stint with master organist Jack McDuff & his Heatin' System. Additionally, Jerry has worked with trumpeter Wynton Marsalis, organists Jimmy McGriff, Joey DeFrancesco, Dr. Lonnie Smith, piano giants George Cables and Cedar Walton, drum legends Roy Haynes and Jimmy Cobb, as well as guitarist-singer George Benson, guitarist Earl Klugh, bassist Keter Betts, and singers Mel Torme and Chaka Khan.

In 1990, Jerry became a charter member and featured soloist with Harry Connick Jr.'s big band. Jerry was part of the house band on Harry's daytime television show and still tours the U.S., Europe, Asia, and Australia with Harry. Jerry was also part of Harry's Broadway musical productions, "Thou Shalt Not" and “True Love: A Celebration of Cole Porter.” He was also featured in Edward Norton's film “Motherless Brooklyn.”

Today, Jerry gives Master Classes, teaches private students, composes, arranges and performs regularly as a bandleader and in-demand sideman at festivals, concerts and jazz venues around the world.

Jerry also plans to record Jimmy Smith’s “The Sermon.”

His band on Nov. 3 will include trumpeter Alonzo Demetrius, trombonist Peter Lin, pianist Mike Bond, bassist Jason Clotter and drummer Carmen Intorre Jr.

For more info about Jerry, visit https://jerryweldon.net. For about New Brunswick Jazz Project, https://nbjp.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.

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