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The New Brunswick Performing Arts Center will become a toe-tapping hotbed for jazz enthusiasts with the launch of The Jazz Remix@ NBPAC which kicks off Saturday, Nov. 16 with Grammy winning saxophonist, Andy Snitzer, and electrifying violinist, Karen Briggs. This is the first in the series with the second installment on Saturday, Dec. 28, featuring the legendary pianist, Alex Bugnon and the high energy, Grammy winning saxophonist, Marion Meadows.
Tickets to both concerts includes meet and greet with the artist and after party at the Heldrich Hotel immediately following the concert.
In addition to providing top jazz entertainment, the not for profit, Hub City Jazz Festival(HCJF) has expanded its charitable outreach to promoting music education and skills training to student musicians throughout New Jersey. In support of this mission, HCJF has created a partnership with the New Brunswick District Schools. As a result of this partnership, students from The Paul Robeson School will take part in a presentation/workshop lead by Saturday night’s headliner, Andy Snitzer. Following Andy’s presentation, the students and their families are invited to attend the concert at no charge.
As expressed by Monica Weeks, Executive Director of Hub City Jazz, “Providing up close experiences with renowned artists is critical to the development of the next generation of musicians. We are grateful to the philanthropic contributions of our sponsors, Johnson & Johnson, Magyar Bank, and the Middlesex County Cultural and Heritage Commission that make these community outreach opportunities possible”.
The first New Brunswick Jazz Festival was held in 2004 and was the brainchild of Allen McGriff, a local New Brunswick entrepreneur and Mason. The Festival was a fundraiser for the Progressive Temple Lodge and was a two-day event featuring local artists including talented high school musicians.
After five years the festival outgrew its original venue and expanded to a four-day event attracting jazz fans from throughout the Northeast. During the restaurant events, local and up and coming artists are showcased at downtown venues throughout New Brunswick. The fifth day hosts the main event at the Hyatt Regency with a full day of entertainment provided by internationally known jazz recording artists.
In 2016 the festival began operation as The Hub City Jazz Festival, Inc. which is a 501©3 non-profit organization with the emphasis on promoting music education and experience for the young. The members of the Board are Allen McGriff, Robert T. Brunson, Lynda Ocampo Thomas, Marion Wingo, and Candace Jones McDaniel.
HCJF is proud to promote jazz as an art form and to acknowledge its cultural relevance in the field of music, as well as provide financial support to charitable and cultural initiatives. The organization’s motto is “Connecting great music which is food for the soul with a gift from the heart.” Tickets for The Jazz Remix@NBPAC, on Saturday, Nov. 16, 7:30 p.m. starring Andy Snitzer, and Karen Briggs can be purchased at hubcityjazz@gmail.com. The student workshop begins at 12:30 p.m