By Anthony Stoeckert
From jazz to rock, pop and country, there is no shortage of concerts taking place in our area this fall.
McCarter Theatre in Princeton will kick off its concert season with Chick Corea and Bela Fleck, Sept. 24. The songwriters will play jazz, standards, bluegrass, rock, gospel and more on piano and banjo. Jazz legend Kenny Barron will be at McCarter, Oct. 23; Annie Carrere will pay tribute to Edith Piaf, Oct. 24; the vocal ensemble Roomful of Teeth will be at McCarter, Oct. 25.
McCarter favorite Arlo Guthrie will return to Princeton with a concert marking the 50th anniversary of Alice’s Restaurant, Nov. 20. Christine Ebersole will play a cabaret concert, Dec. 12; Taylor Mac will bring his act, which has sold out in New York, to Princeton, Dec. 15-16. For tickets and information go to www.mccarter.org or call 609-258-2787.
The Princeton Folk Music Society will open its 2015-16 season with a concert by bluegrass and folk legend Michael Johnathan, Sept. 18 at Christ Congregation Church, 50 Walnut Lane.
Mr. Johnathan’s music is marked by its humor, and his talents as a guitarist and banjo player. He plays traditional songs with his own interpretations, and writes original songs as well.
The season will continue Oct. 16 with a concert by English singer-songwriter Jez Lowe. On Nov. 20, David Roth will perform at Christ Congregation Church, and Low Lily will play Dec. 11.
Tickets for Princeton Folk Music Society concerts cost $20. Concerts start at 8:15 p.m., with doors opening at 7:30 p.m. For more information, go to princetonfolk.org.
The Record Collector in Bordentown has concerts all year round, and is presenting the Muggs, Sept. 11. Scott Sharrard of the Gregg Allman’s Band will play Sept. 12. The Commander Cody Band will perform in Bordentown, Sept. 18, followed by John Ford Coley, Sept. 19. The Jack Semple Band will perform Sept. 20. Popa Chubby will be at the Record Collector, Sept. 25, and Ricky Byrd of Joan Jett’s Blackhearts will play Sept. 26.
The Record Collector also will host a concert by Wishbone Ash, Sept. 27. The band formed in 1969, and features two guitars and a rhythm section playing folk, blues, jazz and more. The group will play songs from throughout its career, as well as songs from its most recent album, Blue Horizon.
Other highlights of the Record Collector’s fall season are concerts by the John Ford Band, Oct. 24; Kinky Friedman on Oct. 25, and a Christmas show by the Cryers, Dec. 19.
For more information, go to www.the-record-collector.com or call 609-324-0880.
Randy Now’s Man Cave presents concerts at the Open Arts Stage on Route 130 in Bordentown, including a “Garage a Go-Go” weekend, Sept. 18 and Sept. 19. The Sept. 18 show will feature headliners the Doughboys with Spanking Charlene and the Insomniacs. On Sept. 19, the Grip Weeds will headline, with Palmyra Delran, Soraia and the Droogettes also performing.
For more information, go to www.mancavenj.com.
The Concerts at the Crossing series in Titusville is marking its final shows this fall. John Gorka with special guest Deirdre Flint will perform Oct. 24, and the series finale with the Kennedys, Ellis Paul, Tracy Grammer and Jess Klein will be held Nov. 21. For more information, go to concertsatthecrossing.com.
New Hope Winery’s upcoming concerts include Donna the Buffalo, Sept. 18; Rik Emmett, Oct. 2; Chris Smither, Oct. 3; Lucy Kaplansky, Oct. 9; Caravan of Thieves, Oct. 17; Rhonda Vincent, Oct. 1, Rolling Stones tribute band The Glimmer Twins, Oct. 24; and Richard Shindell, Nov. 6. For more information, go to www.newhopewinery.com.
The State Theatre in New Brunswick will host concerts by blues legend Buddy Guy, Sept. 30; country artist Sara Evans, Oct. 2; a “Sixties Spectacular” Oct. 10; Chris Cornell, Oct. 12; Patti LaBelle, Oct. 16, the Mavericks, Oct. 22, and Ringo Starr and his All-Starr Band, Oct. 25. For tickets and information, go to www.statetheatrenj.org.
