By Keith Loria
Anyone who loves jazz or food should set aside Sept. 20 as Palmer Square will host its 24th annual JazzFeast, an outdoor festival featuring performances by some of the industry’s best jazz musicians, while also showcasing cuisine from a selection of the area’s finest restaurants.
Anita Fresolone, managing director of Palmer Square Management, says this year’s event will offer another great year of top-notch jazz and amazing food, as overall there will be five performances and 19 food vendors.
”The musical lineup is diverse, with each performer bringing their unique sound. So, it’s not like people are hearing the same style all day,” she says. “Attendees know it’s a well-produced event, from the music to the food and that the overall atmosphere works for all ages. And having Palmer Square as a pretty backdrop makes it a perfect place to spend the day. Of course, you can also get in some great shopping too.”
The annual event takes place from noon to 6 p.m. on the Palmer Square Green.
”And the music is free,” Ms. Fresolone says. “That’s pretty exciting considering the credentials of the performers.”
The show begins with JazzFeast regulars Alan Dale and the New Legacy Jazz Band taking the stage at noon — the 24th consecutive year it has appeared. Led by the dynamic and relentlessly swinging drummer Alan Dale, the New Legacy Jazz Band honors the heritage of American popular music.
Ken Peplowski & his Quintet featuring Harry Allen are up at 1:15 p.m. Jazz enthusiasts know Mr. Peplowski for his almost 400 works as a sideman and 50 solo CDs. He’s worked with everyone from Rosemary Clooney to Benny Goodman to Madonna. His latest CD is “Maybe September,” which was met with much critical acclaim.
At 2:30 p.m. Willie Martinez & La Familia Sextet perform. Mr. Martinez has been performing in New York City for 25 years and is one of the most sought-after drummers on the Latin Jazz scene today.
”La Familia Sextet will be performing New York City-style Latin Jazz, a combination of Afro Caribbean rhythms with the harmonic vocabulary and improvisational nature of jazz,” Mr. Martinez says. “The audience will be treated to the world-class talents of some of New York City’s most shining stars in this genre, along with the wonderful musicality and artistry of our special guest, trumpeter Warren Vache.”
The group features Mr. Martinez on drums and vocals, Renato Thoms on congas and percussion, Nicki Denner on piano, Jennifer Vincent on bass, Max Schweiger on baritone saxophone & flute, and J. Walter Hawkes on trombone.
The group’s performance will mark the first time that JazzFeast has presented Latin Jazz.
”The beauty of any festival for the jazz lover is the opportunity to be exposed to music and musicians that they hadn’t been previously familiar with,” Mr. Martinez says. “It’s a wonderful and exciting way to expand one’s musical palette in the company of hundreds of kindred spirits.”
Marlene VerPlanck and her quintet featuring Houston Person is up next at 3:45 p.m.
”I like to think I choose among the most beautiful songs ever written,” Ms. VerPlanck says. “The quartet joining me contains the top jazz musicians working today: Tomoko Ohno on piano, Jay Leonhart on bass, Ron Vincent on drums and Houston Person on sax. In my opinion, I can’t do better than that.”
The singer got her start in the Big Band business, as a very young vocalist with Charlie Spivak and Tex Beneke. During a brief stint with the last incarnation of the Dorsey Brothers Orchestra, she met her future husband, musician-arranger Billy VerPlanck and has been a force in the jazz world ever since.
The final hour of the day belongs to Dennis Lichtman’s Brain Cloud featuring Tamar Korn on vocals.
”We were so warmly received last time, I was absolutely pleased to get invited back… We had a blast,” Mr. Lichtman says. “It was our first time using an expanded lineup — 10 musicians, instead of our usual six — and it was a thrill to have the opportunity to explore the new possibilities. I enjoy that the festival allows us to experiment with our instrumentation in that way.”
Mr. Lichtman says audience members can expect a high-energy set of music that makes them smile.
”While many of our songs are new, we draw our inspiration from a vast range of American music from the first half of the 20th Century,” he says. “Our interest lies in finding the common ground between jazz and country, between bluegrass and Dixieland, and old and new. For this show only, we are adding a crack horn section to our predominantly strings-oriented lineup, so people can expect to hear clarinet, trumpet, and trombone alongside lap steel guitar and fiddle.”
And the day is about more than great music. The “feast” side of the event features flavors from around the world with offerings from Blossom’s Catering, Buzzetta’s Festival Foods, Chez Alice Gourmet Café and Bakery, Jammin Crepes, Masala Grill, Mediterra, Mehek Fine Indian, Nomad Pizza, Princeton Soup & Sandwich, Taco Truck, Teresa Caffe, Thomas Sweet Chocolates, Tico’s Eatery & Juice Bar, Tiger Noodles, Tiger’s Tale, Triumph Brewing Company, Whole Earth Center, Winberie’s and Yankee Doodle Tap Room.
The event takes place rain or shine. For more information, go to palmersquare.com/events/24th-annual-jazzfeast.
