Jazz at Smoke: Saxophonist Billy Harper Celebrates John Coltrane

Billy Harper is a saxophonist and composer of incredible talent who came to notoriety around the time John Coltrane's life and career abruptly ended. While influenced by saxophonists like Coltrane and Sonny Rollins, Harper is in no way an imitator. His often lengthy improvisations and compositions showcase an interpersonal style and a heightened sense of experimentalism that is enhanced by his signature tone and extreme creativity. From January 5-8, Harper will showcase his talent during a celebration of his 80th Birthday at New York’s Smoke Jazz & Supper Club as part of its annual John Coltrane Festival. His group will include Josh Evans on trumpet, Benito Gonzalez on piano, Lonnie Plaxico on bass, and Billy Hart on drums. In a recent conversation, Harper explained that, “the show will be a real presentation of my compositions."  

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Catching Up With Ronnie Brandt

Ronnie Brandt is an Americana artist from the Jersey Shore who founded Childrens Educational Assemblies, an organization that lets him perform music and teach children about musical greats like Pete Seeger and Woody Guthrie. He's famous for wearing a cowboy hat, but his roots in the Asbury Park scene go back further than most people realize. In this interview, we catch up with the Jersey Shore cowboy.

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​​​​​​​Makin Waves Top 10 Jersey Independent Songs of 2022

Here’s a look at what I thought were the 10 best songs released in 2022 by independent New Jersey artists, plus an Apple Music playlist of the 25 songs that were considered for the list. The songs are 2022 singles and previously unreleased album tracks. 

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Makin Waves Top 10 2022 Jersey Indie Albums

Here’s a look at what I thought was the 10 best albums released in 2022 by independent New Jersey artists.

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This Week in Music: Previews for Concerts from October 13-19, 2026

Here is a look at shows taking place from October 13-19, 2026 along with our featured listings and a look at some upcoming shows. New Jersey Stage offers previews of concerts throughout the Garden State as well as select shows in New York City and Philadelphia areas.

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MORE NEWS

SOPAC presents the Blind Boys of Alabama on Thursday

(SOUTH ORANGE, NJ) -- The Blind Boys of Alabama come will perform at South Orange Performing Arts Center (SOPAC) on Thursday, October 15, 2026. Showtime is 7:30pm. Only a handful of tickets remain.

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Levoy Theatre presents The Artimus Pyle Band on Friday

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Daughtry to perform at Ocean Casino Resort's Ovation Hall on Saturday

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The Lizzie Rose Music Room presents Curtis Salgado on Friday

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CarteretPAC presents Tusk - The Classic Fleetwood Mac Tribute on Saturday