New Jersey Stage logo
New Jersey Stage Menu



 

PHOTOS from "Zydeland" Release Party by The Gumbo Gumbas


By John Posada

originally published: 03/08/2023

(ASBURY PARK, NJ) -- New Jersey Indie band The Gumbo Gumbas released their second album "Zydeland" on Mardi Gras, February 21st at Tim McLoone's Supper Club Asbury Park. Photographer John Posada was on hand to take photos.

The band has decided to make the album available exclusively at live performances. Three digital singles from the album have been released and more singles will continue to be releases throughout 2023. 

Already released singles, "King Cake," "Waiting for the Cane" and "Drifting Off and Dreaming Of You" are available on most digital platforms. The album is more focused on the Zydeco influence and less on the jazz. Every up tempo song on the record is danceable and has extremely memorable hooks. "Zydeland" is a concept that addresses the ongoing division in humans worldwide and portrays a vision where people can come together no matter what their background and celebrate life harmoniously. Entertainment columnist Mike Greenblatt of the Aquarian, and The Jersey Sound wrote: "Cross-Generational to the Max, they're fun, danceable and instantly memorable like a tattoo of the brain."

There are 2 ballads on the record. The first is and ode to band leader Joe Grillos brother who tragically passed away during the making of this record. This song has all the classic New Orleans influences and was inspired by the composers brothers love for Tom Waits. Guest artists Jenn Santaccione provided a gorgeous string quartet for this track and Frank Rein played Tuba. The second is a beautiful love song and features a 16 pc. string section. Written by TV and film composers Steve Rice and Ken Morrison whose works are found in productions such as "The Green Book," "Passengers," "The Big Bang Theory," "Handmaid's Tale," "Sons of Anarchy" and many more; along with arrangements and vocals by the lead "Gumba" himself, Joe Grillo; the song evokes a feeling of simpler times.

Band members include: Vinnie Borselli on trumpet (Aretha Franklin, The Temptations, Johnny Mathis, LaBamba's Big Band, Gary US Bonds) Lars Wendt on trombone (Linda Rondstadt, Aaron Neville, the Nelson Riddle Orchestra, Richie Cole, Princeton Symphony Orchestra) and Steph Munter (Darlene Love, Ben E. King Tim McLoone, Cats on a Smooth Surface) as well as the aforementioned Steve Rice on accordion and piano. Bandleader Joe Grillo's sings all lead vocals and plays sax and washboard. Drummer David Anthony (Glen Burtnik, Jackie DeShannon, Patty Smyth, John Waite, the B.Q.E Project, Darlene Love, Dennis DeYoung) and acoustic bassist Greg Novick (Glenn Burtnick, Bernie Worrell, Kofo the Wonderman) provide a Goldilocks bed of richness that within the rest of the band lie.




New Jersey Stage provides affordable advertising for the arts, click here for info



The Gumbo Gumbas are a delicious medley of authentic New Orleans Jazz with a side of Creole; their brand of "Zydeland Music" is the perfect synergy of Zydeco, Dixieland, Blues and Swamp Funk. A fun combination which highlights their Cajun influences allows them to blend elements of Jazz, Zydeco, R&B, Country and Rock into one amazing, big, old-fashioned southern stew.

Here are more photos from their release night.

John Posada is a New Jersey based photographer specializing in photographing live theatre and music performances. For more than 15 years, John has photographed live events where he mastered the techniques of timing and capturing fast moving action under challenging lighting conditions. Currently, John has spent the last 3 years concentrating on photographing almost 200 theatre productions for over 70 different theatres. Click here for John's website.




New Jersey Stage provides affordable advertising for the arts, click here for info


FEATURED EVENTS

ART | COMEDY | DANCE | FILM | MUSIC | THEATRE | COMMUNITY

To narrow results by date range, categories,
or region of New Jersey
click here for our advanced search.


There,

There, There (A Tribute to Radiohead)

Saturday, July 12, 2025 @ 8:00pm
Asbury Lanes
209 4th Avenue, Asbury Park, NJ 07712
category: music


 

Band

Band Infusion Musical Night by GG

Saturday, July 12, 2025 @ 7:00pm
New Brunswick Performing Arts Center (NBPAC)
11 Livingston Avenue, New Brunswick, NJ 08901
category: music


 

Annual

Annual Jazz, Health and Food Truck Festival 2025

Saturday, July 12, 2025 @ 11:00am
Monte Irvin Orange Park
S center and South Harrison Street, Orange, NJ 07050
category: music


 

The

The Fumos

Saturday, July 12, 2025 @ 7:30pm
The Morris Museum Back Deck
6 Normandy Heights Road, Morristown, NJ 07960
category: music


 

Michael

Michael Allman Band (evening show)

Saturday, July 12, 2025 @ 7:30pm
Lizzie Rose Music Room
217 E. Main Street, Tuckerton, NJ 08087
category: music


 



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





 

EVENT PREVIEWS

bergenPAC

bergenPAC presents Hanson

(ENGLEWOOD, NJ) -- Bergen Performing Arts Center (bergenPAC) presents Hanson on Thursday, October 23, 2025 at 7:00pm. Over their first 28 years as the band Hanson, brothers Isaac, Taylor and Zac Hanson have made a significant mark in music.



A

A Brother's Revival: Celebrating the Legendary Sound of the Allman Brothers Band Live at Drew University

(MADISON, NJ) -- Get ready to experience the timeless legacy of the Allman Brothers Band like never before, as A Brother's Revival takes the stage at Drew University Concert Hall on Thursday, September 19, 2025 at 8:00pm. This high-caliber tribute band honors the spirit and soul of one of America's most iconic rock groups with a performance brimming with power, precision, and heart.



Lizzie

Lizzie Rose Music Room presents Griffin House

(TUCKERTON, NJ) -- Lizzie Rose Music Room presents Griffin House on Wednesday, September 10, 2025 at 7:30pm. Griffin is an American singer-songwriter and storyteller. Touring and making records for over 20 years, House has a discography that includes over 13 albums.



Grammy

Grammy Award Winner Raphael Saadiq to Bring "No Bandwidth" Tour to NJPAC

(NEWARK, NJ) -- Get ready to experience an exceptional performance by Raphael Saadiq at the New Jersey Performing Arts Center (NJPAC) on Thursday, October 2, 2025 at 8:00pm. This highly regarded one-person show, entitled "No Bandwidth," will highlight Saadiq's extraordinary talents through a compelling blend of storytelling and musicianship. Attendees can anticipate an unforgettable evening filled with artistic excellence.



Dave

Dave Koz brings his Summer Horns tour to MPAC in August

(MORRISTOWN, NJ) -- Get set for a night of smooth summer jazz and funk with a touch of the sounds of the 1970s when Grammy-nominated saxophonist Dave Koz comes to Mayo Performing Arts Center (MPAC) as part of his Dave Koz & Friends Summer Horns 2025 tour on Wednesday, August 6, 2025 at 7:30pm.