%20(Webs.png)
Our Summer Jazz Café remains a cultural magnet in the region and has been named a "Pick of the Year" by the Tri-City News. It is a great night out with family and friends or a fun date night with your significant other on a summer's eve.
Drop in for dinner and drinks, or begin your night on the town at a "big-city" style jazz club atmosphere at a fraction of the price. These will surely be the most exciting and romantic evenings you will spend all summer.
July 11 & 12: Frank Vignola and Friends
Frank Vignola is one of the most popular and sought after guitarists on the international music scene. His dynamic genre-spanning music has brought him to 21 countries on three continents – and still growing – performing in some of the world’s most illustrious venues, including the Sydney Opera House, Carnegie Hall, The Palace of Fine Arts in San Francisco, New York’s Lincoln Center, The Blue Note, and the world’s oldest indoor concert hall, Teatro Olimpico in Vicenza, Italy.
Currently, Frank Vignola holds residency every Wednesday night at the world famous Birdland Jazz Club Theatre in New York City. “Frank Vignola’s Guitar Night” has featured some of the finest talent on the planet including Mike Stern, Pasquale Grasso, Jimmy Bruno, Janis Siegel, Sheryl Bailey, Bill Charlap, Houston Person, Tessa Lark, Chris Flory and many more.
Frank Vignola has recorded over 30 CD’s as a leader and has been a guest on hundreds of recordings. He has also written over 18 educational music books. Vignola will be joined by fellow guitarist, Vinny Raniolo, and bassist, Gary Mazzaroppi.
July 18 & 19: Camille Thurman
with the Darryl Green Quartet - Swingin and Singin'
Acclaimed by Downbeat Magazine as a "rising star" singer with “soulful inflection and remarkable, Fitzgerald-esque scat prowess” and hailed by All About Jazz as a “first class saxophonist that blows the proverbial roof of the place”, Camille Thurman has been amazing audiences throughout the world with her impeccable sound, remarkable vocal virtuosity and captivating artistry. Many have praised her vocal abilities to the likeness of Ella Fitzgerald and Betty Carter. Her lush, rich & warm sound on the tenor saxophone has led others to compare her to tenor greats Joe Henderson and Dexter Gordon.
An accomplished performer and composer, Camille has worked with notable Jazz and R&B icons such as George Coleman, Roy Haynes, Dianne Reeves, Wynton Marsalis & the Jazz At Lincoln Center Orchestra, Dr. Lonnie Smith, Terri Lyne Carrington, Jon Hendricks, Pattie LaBelle, Gladys Knight, Chaka Khan, Louis Hayes, Russell Malone, Nicholas Payton, Jacky Terrason, Alicia Keys, Lalah Hathaway, Jill Scott and Erykah Badu among others. Career highlights for Camille include performing as a featured guest vocalist for “Ella at 100: Forever The First Lady of Song” centennial tribute to Ella Fitzgerald and as a featured guest saxophonist in 2021 for “JOHN COLTRANE: A Love Supreme” at Jazz At Lincoln Center.
She was the first woman in 30 years to tour and perform full time internationally with the world renown Jazz At Lincoln Center Orchestra as a saxophonist/woodwindist (2018-2020) Camille has earned accolades from the media including JazzTimes Magazine, Downbeat Magazine, NPR, The New York Times and Jazz Night In America. As a leader, she has released four records—Origins, Spirit Child (Hot Tone Music), Inside The Moment (Chesky Records 2017) and “Waiting For The Sunrise” (Chesky Records 2018).
July 25 & 26: Valery Ponomarev Quintet
Remembering Art Blakey and the Jazz Messengers
Valery Ponomarev, trumpeter, composer/arranger, educator, and bandleader, has been an active member of the Jazz scene for over 5 decades. Born in Russia, he came to the United States in 1973 and soon after was offered a spot in the famed, “Art Blakey and the Jazz Messengers”. From 1977 to 1980, Mr. Ponomarev performed in major concert halls, clubs, festivals and even recorded eleven albums with the group as well. Ponomarev has performed with the likes of Benny Golson, Max Roach, Joe Henderson, Jimmy Cobb, Don Braden, Curtis Fuller, and countless others.
Mr. Ponomarev has made television appearances on "To Tell The Truth," on the PBS network, National Geographic Today, and CNN. He was featured in the movie "Frozen In Amber," a documentary about the contributions of Russian ex-patriots to the performing arts in the USA. Valery has had 2 different documentaries made about him. “Frozen in Amber” and “Messenger from Russia” both aired on television and documented Mr. Ponomarev’s journey.
As a solo artist, Mr. Ponomarev has completed two tours of Australia, China and numerous European tours, including a special tour with Harold Land featuring the music of Clifford Brown. He was also featured at the Charlie Parker in Paris Festival. As a leader, Valery has released eight albums with various groups and also leads his group, “Valery Ponomarev Jazz Big Band”. They have an album titled, “Our Father Who Art Blakey”, which was released in 2016. The group has performed at Dizzy’s Club in Jazz at Lincoln Center, Iridium, Jazz Standard, and other venues across New York City. Currently, Mr. Ponomarev remains active as a performer and educator around the New Jersey/New York area.
August 1 & 2: James Austin Jr. Quintet
Songs in the Key of Wonder
The soulful stylings of James Austin Jr. reveal his jazz pedigree and gospel roots. James, originally from Chicago, is an accomplished pianist and bandleader. He honed his craft under the tutelage of a number of legendary musicians, including extensive study with renowned jazz educator, Barry Harris. In recognition of his highly skilled musicianship, James has received numerous accolades and awards, including the honor of being selected as a semi-finalist in the prestigious Thelonious Monk International Jazz Piano competition.
James has performed alongside an illustrious list of singers and musicians in diverse settings throughout the world, including numerous celebrity functions and televised shows. He recently served as pianist and arranger for two star-studded concerts at Carnegie Hall under the baton of esteemed musical director, Ray Chew. James is regularly featured in the New York City area as a pianist and bandleader for various live concerts, theatrical performances, and civic and charitable events. He has curated and led the NJPAC Jazz Jam series since its inception. For the past couple of years, he has also served as musical director for jazz phenom, Alexis Morrast.
Songs in the Key of Wonder, James’ debut album, showcases his tasteful instrumental arrangements of a selection of classic compositions from the songbook of the great Stevie Wonder. James regards Stevie Wonder as one of the greatest composers of our time. Others have covered Stevie’s songs, however, James’ arrangements have a particularly appealing flavor and infectious groove.
August 1: Opening showcase set by Jazz Arts Academy Students
Students from the Summer Session of Jazz Arts Academy wil perform a showcase opening set at Summer Jazz Café final weekend in July
All proceeds from this series help support Jazz Arts Project's head-start style music instruction and enrichment programs for at-risk and underserved youth.
And finally, as is our tradition each year on the final weekend of Summer Jazz Café, we present a concept which has become known as “Legends and Lions” in jazz. Students from our Jazz Arts Academy Summer Session perform an opening set followed by a set featuring master Jazz artist professionals, in this case Winard Harper and Jeli Posse. This is exactly what our organization’s vision is about; the pairing of young students with masters of the art form, giving them the opportunities and the spark that can ignite either a career path or simply an enduring love of the music that we honor and cherish.
Legends & Lions Summer showcase at 2025 Jazz Café @ Triumph
Final Week: Saturday Only
Special thanks to these foundations for their generous support
