PHOTO BY MARCUS MADDOX
(OCEAN GROVE, NJ) -- Legendary singer-songwriter Steve Forbert will kick off an exciting new series of concerts at the Jersey Shore Arts Center in Ocean Grove on Saturday, October 19, 2024 at 8:00pm. Pamela Flores, a favorite of the local Asbury Park music scene, will open the show. The show marks the relaunch of Split Level Concerts, a popular series previously based in Union County that recently relocated to the Jersey Shore. The series showcases critically acclaimed singer-songwriters in a uniquely intimate setting.
Steve Forbert is a true American treasure, a fact underscored by his 21st album, Daylight Savings Time, released in 2024. Like all his albums of original songs, it’s suffused with what venerated rock journalist Robert Christgau discerned as his “omnivorously observant” songwriting, marked by Steve’s gift for finding the deeper meaning and magic within the spectrum of everyday moments, as well as his abundant melodic and poetic enchantment.
As Forbert approaches the milestone of his 70th birthday, Daylight Savings Time contemplates and celebrates the proverbial ‘extra hour of daylight’ that comes with the time change. “Yeah to chirping crickets and to daylight savings time!” he sings on the album’s first single “Sound Existence,” “The best ain’t yet to come, but you could still get by just fine.
Steve arrived in New York City from his Meridian, Mississippi hometown in 1976. He slotted seamlessly into the “new folk” revival in such Manhattan clubs as Folk City, The Bitter End, and Kenny’s Castaways while taking the stage at CBGB, ground zero of the burgeoning new wave/punk movement. He also busked on the streets of Greenwich Village and in the elegant confines of Grand Central Station. He quickly won a major label deal with Nemperor/CBS Records and released his heralded debut, Alive on Arrival, in 1978. His next album, Jackrabbit Slim, released in 1979, brought wider renown to Forbert with its #11 pop chart hit “Romeo’s Tune.” It provided the stature for his troubadour existence, which has kept him active ever since as “a striking performer, very much worth seeing and hearing,” according to the New York Times.
Opener Pamela Flores is a singer-songwriter from Asbury Park, known for her soulful melodies and poignant lyrics inspired by her hometown's rich musical heritage. With a voice that resonates with raw emotion, Pamela captivates audiences with her heartfelt performances, showcasing her talent and passion for storytelling. Emerging as one of the region's most promising artists, Pamela's music connects deeply with listeners, leaving a lasting impression on all who hear her songs.
Advance tickets are $35 and available for purchase online. Tickets are $40 on day of show. Jersey Shore Arts Center is located at 66 S. Main Street in Ocean Grove.
Musicians On A Mission is a non-profit organization dedicated to creating connection and inspiring giving through music. MOAM will be on hand at all seven of the concerts in the series, collecting donations that will be split between Jersey Shore Arts Center and a charity chosen for each concert.
The 2024-24 season of Split Level Concerts includes concerts by Steve Forbert, Brian Dunne, Griffin House, Jill Sobule, Maia Sharp/Antje Duvekot, Michael McDermott, and Rod Picott/Anya Hinkle. Split Level Concerts began as a house concert series in 2000 and grew to eventually present shows at the JCC of Central NJ in Scotch Plains and the Union County Performing Arts Center in Rahway. Over the years, Klemow curated more than 125 shows. For more on Split Level Concerts, click here for an article on moving the series to Ocean Grove.
