(HACKENSACK, NJ) -- Bergen County Executive Jim Tedesco, the Board of Commissioners, and the Bergen County Parks Department announced the return of Music at the Barn hosted by the County's Division of Cultural and Historic Affairs. The first concert in the 2024 series at the Wortendyke Barn (13 Pascack Rd, Park Ridge, NJ) will feature the Matt Chertkoff Trio and Houston Person on Sunday, July 28, from 4:00pm–6:30pm.

Limited seating is available. People are welcome to bring chairs/blankets and food.

Jazz-guitar master Matt Chertkoff received a degree from Miami University in jazz guitar. His command of guitar has led him to perform around the world and record with jazz legends such as David Fathead Newman, Freddy Cole, Cecil Brooks, and Houston Person. One of Matt’s musical interests is in the exploration of traditional Jewish music, blending and reinterpreting the genre with jazz sensibilities to transform and expand old works into new.

Matt’s trio includes two of the jazz world’s sought after musicians, Vince Ector on drums and Matthew Parrish on bass. Both have worked with some of the greatest jazz luminaries in the field, have CD releases and are deeply steeped in the music world.

The legendary Houston Person is a world-renowned tenor saxophonist and record producer with more than 75 albums recorded as a bandleader. Some of the luminaries he has collaborated with on record are Charles Brown, Horace Silver, Lena Horne, Lou Rawls, and many more. His work with long-time collaborator, Etta Jones holds a revered place in music history.

The free outdoor music series will continue with the following:

Sunday, August 25, 4:00pm–6:30pm: Jonny Rosch and Friends (Blues/R&B/Soul) 

Sunday, September 17, 4:00pm–6:30pm:  Bergen All-Star Jazz Blast (Jazz)

Sunday, October 29, 1:00pm–3:30 pm: The Cider Barn Band (14th Annual Bluegrass & Cider)

The Wortendyke Barn has been a Pascack Valley landmark since its construction on 500 acres of land bought by the Wortendyke family in 1735.  It was used continually as a barn into the 20th century and is one of only six pure Dutch barn types in Bergen County.  In 1997, the barn opened as a museum with agriculture exhibits that include 18th and 19th century farm implements and tools, and the history of the Wortendyke family farm.