TD James Moody Jazz Festival Returns to Newark Nov. 6-22, With Ben Vereen's 80th Birthday Concert at NJPAC
The 15th edition of Newark's jazz festival runs Nov. 6-22 at NJPAC and neighborhood venues, with tributes to Miles Davis and Zakir Hussain, free concerts, and a closing Sarah Vaughan vocal competition honoring Newark's own jazz legend.
The TD James Moody Jazz Festival returns to Newark from Nov. 6 to Nov. 22, bringing world-renowned jazz artists and rising voices to the New Jersey Performing Arts Center and neighborhood venues for its 15th edition, according to the festival lineup published by BroadwayWorld. This year's festival features world premiere concerts, debut collaborations and free performances, alongside tributes to Miles Davis, Zakir Hussain and festival namesake James Moody.
The program opens Friday, Nov. 6, with sitar star Niladri Kumaar honoring the late tabla player Zakir Hussain at NJPAC's Victoria Theater, and continues Saturday, Nov. 7, with a free Bethany Baptist Church Jazz Vespers concert by the Dizzy Gillespie All-Stars honoring Moody. A Miles Davis centennial program, Miles at 100, follows on Thursday, Nov. 12, and Gregory Porter performs with Madeleine Peyroux and Catherine Russell on Friday, Nov. 13, in Prudential Hall.
The festival closes with a weekend that includes Ben Vereen's 80th birthday concert on Saturday, Nov. 21, in Prudential Hall, where the Tony Award winner will be joined by guests including Melba Moore, Brian Stokes Mitchell and Lillias White, and the 15th annual Sarah Vaughan International Jazz Vocal Competition on Sunday, Nov. 22, honoring the Newark-born singer. Free events include the Bethany Baptist vespers, a Nov. 18 Jazz Jams session at Clement's Place and Dorthaan's Place brunch concerts on Nov. 22.
Tickets range from free to $79, according to the festival listing, and are available through NJPAC. Venues include NJPAC at One Center Street, Clement's Place at 15 Washington Street and Bethany Baptist Church at 275 West Market Street.
