The sixth season of Jazz at Rutherfurd Hall continues into 2018 with four more shows that prove the series’ slogan, “It’s not just jazz, it’s great entertainment!”
With the first three shows of this season in the history books, Jazz at Rutherfurd Hall will present monthly shows January through April, bringing a variety of outstanding jazz musicians to the historic mansion in Allamuchy Township, NJ.
Next up, on Sunday, January 21, 2018, is Bill Charlap & Peter Washington. One of the world’s premiere jazz pianists, Bill Charlap has performed with many leading artists of our time. He is known for his interpretations of American popular songs and has recorded albums featuring the music of Hoagy Carmichael, Leonard Bernstein and George Gershwin. Time magazine wrote, “Bill Charlap approaches a song the way a lover approaches his beloved… no matter how imaginative or surprising his take on a song is, he invariably zeroes in on its essence.” Peter Washington is a jazz double bassist. He initially played classical bass and played with the Westchester Community Symphony at the age of 14. Later he worked with electric bass in bands and became interested in jazz while attending UC Berkeley, going on to perform with many outstanding jazz musicians. Tickets are $30 in advance and $35 at the door.
On Sunday, February 25, 2018, Jazz at Rutherfurd Hall presents the NY-NJ All Star Big Band playing Music of Count Basie. This 18-piece Big Band is comprised of outstanding musicians who have played under Basie, Ellington, Ray Charles, Frank Sinatra, Wynton Marsalis and so many others. Tickets are $30 in advance and $35 at the door.
The series continues Sunday, March 25, 2018 with The Hendrik Meurkens Quartet. Virtuoso instrumentalist and composer Hendrik Meurkens began his career in Germany playing vibes. At 19, he heard Toots Thielemans play harmonica, which totally changed his musical life. His career has taken him from Brazil to Germany, then throughout the European continent where he became a pivotal force on the studio and jazz scene, performing, composing, recording, and touring extensively with his own ensembles as well as with visiting legends Harry Sweets Edison and Buddy Tate. Tickets are $25 in advance and $30 at the door.
The 2017-2018 Season concludes on Sunday, April 22, 2018 with the return of pianist and singer Tony DeSare. Named a Rising Star Male Vocalist in Downbeat magazine, DeSare has lived up to this distinction by winning critical and popular acclaim for his concert performances throughout North America and abroad. From jazz clubs to Carnegie Hall to Las Vegas headlining with Don Rickles and major symphony orchestras, DeSare has brought his fresh take on old school class around the globe, while performing with infectious joy, wry playfulness and robust musicality. Notwithstanding his critically acclaimed turns as a singer/pianist, DeSare is also an accomplished award-winning composer. Tickets are $30 in advance and $35 at the door.
All concerts are 3 to 5 p.m. in Rutherfurd Hall, a National and New Jersey State Historic Landmark. Famed architect Whitney Warren, who also designed Grand Central Station in New York City as Warren and Wetmore Architects (1903-1911), designed the 18,000-square-foot Tudor “country home” in 1904. The renowned firm of Frederick Law Olmsted & Sons designed the landscape plan and the plantings for the site.
Now open as a cultural center and a museum owned and managed by the Allamuchy Township Board of Education, Rutherfurd Hall is an elegant and interesting venue to see and hear jazz. Plus, the ability to meet and converse with the performers makes attending these concerts special.
This season's jazz events are sponsored by Panther Valley Pharmacy and Heath Village Retirement Community and presented by Coyne Enterprises. Tickets for all shows are available online at www.RutherfurdHall.org or www.rutherfurdhall.tix.com, and locally at Mama’s Café Baci, Hackettstown, and Panther Valley Pharmacy, Allamuchy.
Rutherfurd Hall is located at 1686 Route 517, Allamuchy, NJ 07820. For information, call 908-852-1894 Ext. 338, or Coyne Enterprises at 908-637-8461.
Jazz at Rutherfurd Hall: Bill Charlap & Peter Washington
One of the world’s premiere jazz pianists, Charlap has performed with many leading artists. Known for his interpretations of American popular songs, he's teamed with talented jazz double bassist Peter Washington for this special concert in beautiful Rutherfurd Hall.