Anthony Nelson to Headline 6th Annual ROCC FEST

Published by New Jersey Stage
originally published: 09/10/2026

(NEWARK, NJ) -- The Roseville Outreach Community Corporation presents the 6th Annual ROCC FEST - From Praise to Presence jazz gospel concert on Saturday, October 17, 2026 at the Roseville Church in Newark. The event begins at 6:00pm and is headlined by Anthony Nelson.

The lineup also includes performances by Mark Gross, Bruce Williams, Jeff Miller, Birsa Chattjee, Brandon McCune, Kenny Davis, David Hawkins, Alexis Morras, and Devonne Rose & Divine Grace Movement.

Tickets are $44.52 and available for purchase online. The Roseville Church is located at 36 Roseville Avenue in Newark, New Jersey.

The Roseville Outreach Community Corporation (ROCC) is a non-profit organization, located in Newark, New Jersey, focusing on the Fairmount Promise & Roseville neighborhoods. ROCC FEST is their annual fundraiser & celebration of art & music. In addition to the concert, the featured musicians lead a free, student music workshop open to all pupils who wish to attend.

All proceeds go towards funding their missions to support the Newark community through: monthly food pantry distributions, school supply giveaways, "Shari's Book Club" reading program @ Sussex Avenue School, and more.

Advertise with NJ Stage for $50-$100 per month, click here for info

These contributions that support ROCC FEST will help them continue these programs that are so vital to our area, and help us further their mission to be an anchor in our community and improve the quality of life for residents in the West Ward and beyond.

To make a donation, email [email protected] or call 862-381-9228.

ABOUT THE HEADLINER

Anthony Nelson first picked up the alto saxophone at age 11, continuing on to the tenor saxophone by high school. Because playing the saxophone alone is not enough to warrant the title “woodwindist”, Nelson began to study the flute and clarinet to diversify his range of musical ability. Mentored by organist Radam Schwartz at the Jazz Institute of N.J., Nelson would later be featured on Schwartz’s album Magic Tales.

While his performance skills were created and sharpened growing up playing in clubs, Nelson decided to further his professional studies by enrolling at the University of the District of Columbia. There he was fortunate to study under master arranger Calvin Jones. He later went on to William Paterson University under the tutelage of Gary Smulyan and Vincent Herring.

A formidable talent in his own right, Nelson has graced the stage with an array of phenomenal figures such as Billy Hart, John Hicks and Don Braden. With an ability to float in and out of genres, perfecting his sound, Nelson has consciously not tied himself down to any one sphere. He has served as the clarinetist in the quintet of MacAruthur award winner and Grammy nominated violinist, Regina Carter, touring and appearing with her on NPR's Jazz Set.

Nelson has also been privileged enough to work with a number of talented musicians, ranging in genres. His credit list includes such powerhouse artists as the Ojays, the Duke Ellington Orchestra, Faith Evans, "Joe", the Ray Charles Orchestra, Henry McKenzie Davis, James Weidman, Ralph Peterson, the Count Basie Orchestra and the Cab Calloway Orchestra, Cecil Brooks III and T.S. Monk, Steve Turre to name a few..

Gifted with the ability to both see and feel music, Nelson soon let loose his desire to compose and to released "Testament: Live At Cecil's", his debut solo CD, which stayed on the JazzWeek charts for 10 weeks. Nelson's has since released "Tenor For Two" and "Live @ Twins Jazz". With songs such as Silly, This Time Around, and Paula Danielle, Nelson’s genius harkens back to a time when music told a story, uncomplicated by unimaginative beats and technological advances that take away from the song’s soul.

Touring with the play “The Devil’s Music: The Life and Blues of Bessie Smith”, named one of the top 10 Off-Broadway experiences of 2001 by the New York Daily Times, Nelson’s performance on set as tenor sax and clarinet is an astounding complement to the cast’s extensive range of talent. “The strongest musical impression is made on the tenor sax and clarinet by Anthony Nelson. His expert solos dominate the instrumental accompaniment. Nelson's choreographed, insinuating duet with Braden's vocal on "St. Louis Blues" is a musical and visual delight”, boasts one critic.

Throughout his enviable career, Nelson has created a sound that draws on the influences of some of music’s lasting voices such as Coltrane, Gary Bartz, Oliver Nelson, Houston Persons, Marvin Gaye and Nancy Wilson, yet, is simultaneously infusing them in such a wonderfully refreshing way that produces a sound unique in every aspect of its inception. Through his dedication to the simplicity of sound and his understanding of how true music can uplift the spirit, Anthony Nelson breathes life into every song crafted and every note wielded, leaving his fans utterly awe struck.