Count Basie News

Members of the New Jersey Symphony Orchestra perform Handel's Messiah with the Montclair State University Singers and a quartet of vocal soloists December 16 and 18 in Princeton and Newark, respectively. George Manahan, the NJSO's interim Music Director from 1983–85, returns to conduct Handel's masterwork—a Christmastime tradition in concert halls across the world. Soprano Patricia Schuman, mezzo-soprano Mary Phillips, tenor Ryan MacPherson and bass-baritone David Pittsinger join the Orchestra and choir.

On November 16, come hear the vocal stylings of Dennis Rowland, Diana Lee and the Greg Warner Trio. This award-winning group will wow you with their jazz, pop and funk. Don't miss the return of Dennis and some of the best jazz artists in the Valley.

On Tuesday, November 22 the AZ Swing Kings bring you The Great American Songbook and All That Jazz! The AZ Swing Kings Orchestra is a Valley favorite and consists of 18 instrumentalists and a vocalist. The orchestra is under the direction of Lenny King - former creator and director of the Chicago Metropolitan Jazz Orchestra - and all the musicians are experienced professional performers playing original arrangements made famous by the such great bands as: Benny Goodman, Glenn Miller, Count Basie, Tommy Dorsey, Stan Kenton, Duke Ellington, Maynard Ferguson and many others. The featured vocalist is Joni King.

Birdland Jazz Club has announced its lineup for November 14-20, including The Django Reinhardt NY Festival, Aisha de Haas, Capathia Jenkins & Billy Stritch in "Stritch, Trouble and More Trouble", Jim Caruso's Cast Party, and more. Scroll down for details!

Linden resident Tyler Sautner will be playing the lead role in Phoenix Productions' upcoming November revival of A Christmas Story. This show will take place at the Count Basie Theatre in Red Bank for a two-weekend run beginning November 11th.

Phoenix Productions will present its revival of A Christmas Story at the Count Basie Theatre in Red Bank for a two-weekend run beginning November 11th.

Following two previous sold-out engagements, Jonathan Poretz returns to Feinstein's at the Nikko with his newest show, Sinatra, Dino, Darin & Davis - When Vegas Was VEGAS! for two performances only - Today, November 3 (8 p.m.) and Friday, November 4 (8 p.m.) Backed by the six-piece Fil Lorenz Orchestra, Poretz will recreate the heyday of a young Las Vegas, bringing a 60s vibe to the Feinstein's at the Nikko stage.

Peoria Center for the Performing Arts welcomes the Greg Warner Trio featuring the vocal stylings of Dennis Rowland and Diana Lee on Wednesday, November 16 at 7:30pm. This award-winning group will wow you with their jazz, pop and funk. Don't miss the return of Dennis and some of the best jazz artists in the Valley. Greg Warner will be joined by Mike King on Bass and Dave Baradic on Piano.

The New Jersey Symphony Orchestra presents Russian poetry readings following October 29-30 performances of the all-Tchaikovsky concert program that marks Xian Zhang's debut as NJSO Music Director. Victoria Juharyan-who earned audience raves for post-concert Russian poetry readings in 2015-returns to read poems by Tchaikovsky's favorite poet, Alexander Pushkin, and more, in the original Russian. Attendees will also hear the poems in English translation at these NJSO Accent events, which are free to concert ticketholders.

Birdland Jazz Club has announced its lineup for November 7-13, featuring Tierney Sutton Band, Randy Rainbow's "Election Eve Party!'", Emmet Cohen Trio and more. Scroll down for details!

Internationally renowned conductor Xian Zhang makes her debut as the New Jersey Symphony Orchestra's 14th Music Director at venues throughout the state across two weekends, October 27-November 6 in Newark, Princeton, New Brunswick, Morristown and Englewood.

Servant Stage Company announced their 2017 season of shows at a public celebration and fundraising event on Sunday, October 16, 2016. The 2017 season will include several family-friendly Broadway musicals, an original song-and-dance revue, an award-winning comedy, and a special holiday treat.

THE BLACK BOX, downtown Franklin's theater, music, and event venue, presents a Big Band Brunch with the renowned Kenny Hadley Big Band on Sunday, November 13. The critically-acclaimed 16-piece ensemble, led by drummer Kenny Hadley, boasts masterful musicians with performance ties to Big Band legends Woody Herman, Count Basie, Stan Kenton, Maynard Ferguson, Buddy Rich and more. The Kenny Hadley Big Band has shared the stage with such notables as the Count Basie Orchestra and the Duke Ellington Orchestra and has hosted guest soloists including Clark Terry and Louie Bellson.

Birdland Jazz Club has announced its lineup for October 24-30, featuring Kurt Elling, ShowBiz After Hours with Frank DiLella with Special Guests Ben Vereen and Charl Brown, David Ostwald's Louis Armstrong Eternity Band, and more!

Jon Bon Jovi has been making the world that much more special with his music for more than thirty years, and the listening party on October 20th to promote his newest album proved that he isn't quite finished rocking it yet. As an introduction to the band's fourteenth album entitled This House is Not For Sale (to be released on November 4th), Bon Jovi chose the historic Barrymore Theater on West 47th Street in Midtown to play his album in its entirety to an intimate yet practically sold out house of fans both old and new. And as he said during the concert, to those who were either there for the entire journey or those who just joined the party, he gladly performs for all those who are willing to listen to what he has to say.

Bank of America will sponsor seven New Jersey Symphony Orchestra concerts in the 2016-17 season, including Xian Zhang's October 29 debut as NJSO Music Director in New Brunswick, as well as the Orchestra's final two performances of the season, June 10-11. The seven performances, all under Zhang's baton, span concerts at the New Jersey Performing Arts Center in Newark, State Theatre New Jersey in New Brunswick and Count Basie Theatre in Red Bank.

The final TIDAL X: Bon Jovi live listening party before the release of GRAMMY-winning rock icon Bon Jovi's 14th studio album THIS HOUSE IS NOT FOR SALE (on November 4 via Island/UMG) will take place at Broadway's Barrymore Theatre tonight, October 20. This will be Bon Jovi's first-ever Broadway performance.

In Thanksgiving-weekend reunions fitting for the spirit of the holiday, pianist Inon Barnatan and conductor Hans Graf return to the New Jersey Symphony Orchestra for a program featuring Mozart's Piano Concerto No. 21, Schumann's Second Symphony and Smetana's The Bartered Bride Overture, November 26-27 in Newark and New Brunswick.

The final TIDAL X: Bon Jovi live listening party before the release of GRAMMY-winning rock icon Bon Jovi's 14th studio album THIS HOUSE IS NOT FOR SALE (on November 4 via Island/UMG) will take place at Broadway's Barrymore Theatre this Thursday, October 20. This will be Bon Jovi's first-ever Broadway performance.

Birdland will kick-off their exciting month of programming with the following acts: