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LATEST NEWS

Wharton Arts Launches 2026–27 Season Under New President & CEO Carol Chickering Burden

(BERKELEY HEIGHTS, NJ) -- Wharton Arts, a leading provider of community music and creative youth development in New Jersey, has launched its 2026–27 Fall/Winter season under the leadership of new President & CEO Carol Chickering Burden.

 
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Jon Caspi Just Released His First Solo Album in 17 years

Jon Caspi released his first solo album in 17 years on October 2, 2026 - a 5-song EP called eons of evolution. It is available on all streaming platforms. The New Jersey-based singer-songwriter, and frontman for the well-known heartland rock, indie, punk and Americana band, Jon Caspi & The First Gun took a unique approach to this release. This past summer, he recorded the songs in basement studio, where he played all the instruments. Unlike other recordings where each musician makes multiple attempts to lay down seamless or near-perfect track, Caspi says he only used only his first takes.

Louis Armstrong Center for Music and Medicine names Suzanne Vega as Phoebe Jacobs Award Honoree

(NEW YORK, NY) -- The Wonderful World: Friends of Music Therapy, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit that benefits Mount Sinai's Louis Armstrong Center for Music and Medicine (LACMM), will honor Suzanne Vega, one of the foremost singer-songwriters of her generation, with the 2026 Phoebe Jacobs Award. The Center will present the award at its Wonderful World Gala on October 13 at the Angel Orensanz Center in New York City.

East Brunswick Singer-Songwriter Kathleen Elle Wins Hard Rock Rising Competition at Hard Rock Atlantic City

(ATLANTIC CITY, NJ) -- Approximately 90 artists entered the Atlantic City competition for of Hard Rock Rising, a new global music competition presented by Hard Rock Cafe and Coca-Cola. Only nine were selected to perform across the local competition rounds. East Brunswick singer-songwriter Kathleen Elle advanced through two nights of live competition before being named the Atlantic City winner on Wednesday, September 23, 2026.

Jersey Shore Artist Karen Mansfield Announces New Single and Children's Book

(OCEANPORT, NJ) -- Jersey Shore singer-songwriter, recording artist and author Karen Mansfield will release her new single, "I Only Have Eyes for You," on October 29, 2026, through her independent label, Willow Bella Music. Mansfield is also introducing her children's picture book, Baby's Birthday, inspired by a song that has been sung in her family for generations.


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COLUMNS

Makin Waves Song of the Week: "Gates" by The Carousers

More than 70 acts have banded together to support the Eden Autism school in Princeton. Carousers vocalist-guitarist Joey Affatato organized and curated "Play for Purpose, Vol. 2," a music compilation to give back to the organization that holds a very special place in his heart. His brother, Alex, attends the Adult Services Day Program. 



Rock On! This Week's Sound Bites... 11/13/2026



This Week in Music: Previews for Concerts from November 10-16, 2026



Makin Waves Song of the Week: "Josephine" by Emily Grove






 

MORE NEWS


Stangl Stage presents John Gorka

(FLEMINGTON, NJ) -- New Jersey native John Gorka will perform at Stangl Stage on Friday, December 4, 2026 at 8:00pm. Gorka is widely regarded as one of the leading voices to emerge from the contemporary folk revival of the 1980s.


Phoebe Bridgers Announces 2027 Dates For "The Lost Tour"



Independent Producer and Writer Karen Morris Announces "The Swingin' Angle" Project



Song of the Meadowlark takes place on Sunday in Hopewell



Remember Jones presents back to BACK TO BLACK: the Amy Winehouse Celebration at The Vogel






 

UPCOMING SHOWS

NJPAC presents Jesse Cook on Saturday

(NEWARK, NJ) -- New Jersey Performing Arts Center (NJPAC) presents Jesse Cook on Saturday, November 14, 2026 in the Victoria Theater at 8:00pm. A global artist in every sense of the term, Jesse Cook redefines music's power to connect people across cultures and continents.


Mahwah Museum Hosts "Les Paul from Start to Finish" with Jim Wysocki



Atlantic City Punk Rock Flea Market - Holiday Edition to take place on Sunday



Song of the Meadowlark takes place on Sunday in Hopewell






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