• Jazz Arts Project, Inc. is a non-profit, 501(c)3 organization dedicated to presenting and preserving straight ahead, swinging, classic jazz of the highest caliber.  In addition to education youth and community outreach initiatives, and this annual Summer Jazz Cafe’ series, the group regularly produces world-class jazz events featuring the finest internationally known artists. The “Project” also presents gala concerts at such venues as the Count Basie Theater with it’s flagship performing ensemble the Red Bank Jazz Orchestra (RBJO), and the annual SINATRA BIRTHDAY BASH.

ALL SHOWS BEGIN AT 8:00 PM   

                         MARLENE VERPLANCK,

"She may be the most accomplished interpreter of popular material performing today..."      The New York Times

Throughout her career, Marlene VerPlanck has stuck to her guns, paying loving care to the great standards and new songs from our finest composers, while ignoring mediocre pop tunes. Songwriter Hugh Martin ("Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas," etc.) expressed it well: "We know our songs are safe in the hands of Marlene VerPlanck, and she will sing them better than anyone."

 Millions of people first heard Marlene's crystal-clear voice anonymously, on radio and television, when she espoused the merits of dozens of commercial products, among them: "Mm-mm good, mm-mm good, that's what Campbell's Soups are..." But, actually, she 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 Dorsey Brothers Orchestra, she met her future husband, musician-arranger Billy VerPlanck.

In time, Marlene became one of the nation's busiest studio singers, backing up vocalists ranging from Frank Sinatra and MelTorme to Kiss. Following appearances on Alec Wilder's historic National Public Radio series, "American Popular Songs," in the 1970s, Marlene emerged as a leading solo performer. Appearances at Carnegie Hall, Michael's Pub and the Rainbow Room brought rave notices, and national TV shows, including "Entertainment Tonight," "The Today Show" and CBS's "Sunday Morning," featured profiles of the in creasingly popular singer.  Today, Marlene performs across North America and much of Western Europe, while a growing roster of solo CDs continues to win critical acclaim.

In addition to her Audiophile albums,"In a Digital Mood," featuring Marlene, Mel Torme and Julius LaRosa with the Glenn Miller Orchestra, on the GRP label, was the first big-band CD to go gold. The CD is available from GRP Records, Inc. Also, at the personal request of Richard Adler, the renowned composer of Damn Yankees and The Pajama Game, Marlene recorded some of Adler's most memorable music. The CD, "You Gotta Have Heart: The Songs of Richard Adler," is available on the Varese Saraband label.

Youtube link:    http://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=marlene+verplanck&search_type=&aq=0&oq=marlene+Ver

• Photo: Marlene Verplanck, her late husband composer

  Billy Verplanck with Cleo Laine and Johnny Dankworth.

JULY  30th & 31st 
                         WAYNE ESCOFFERY 

“[A] young, self-assured, hard-swinging tenor  saxophonist.” (Ben Ratliff - The New York Times)Since moving to New York City in 2000, tenor saxophonist Wayne Escoffery has become one of the Jazz world’s most talented rising stars and in-demand sidemen. He began his professional NY career touring and recording with The Eric Reed Septet. In 2001 he became a steady member of the Mingus Big Band/Orchestra/Dynasty, The Lonnie Plaxico Group, and Abdulah Ibrahim’s Akaya.  Then in 2004 Grammy award winning producer, arranger and trumpet player Don Sickler asked Wayne to be a part of Ben Riley’s Monk legacy Septet; an innovative piano-less group dedicated to carrying on the legacy of jazz great Thelonious Monk. At this time Wayne was also touring with Jazz At Lincoln Center’s  Music of the Masters. The Music of Dexter Gordon featured Wayne with Saxophonists Jimmy Greene and Gerry Welden; backed by Dexter Gordon alumni George Cables, Rufus Reid and Leroy Williams. The Music of Miles Davis featured Wayne w ith trumpet great Eddie Henderson and alto saxophonist Steve Wilson in the front line; backed by David Kikoski, Ed Howard and Miles Davis veteran Jimmy Cobb on drums.

In 2006 Wayne secured one of the most coveted gigs in jazz: a frontline position in Tom Harrell’s working quintet. In addition to being a part of some of th e last true “apprenticeship” opportunities of our era, he has delivered two studio dates as a leader on the Nage l-Heyer label “Times Change” in 2001 and “Intuition” in 2004.  In a review of the latter AllAboutJazz.com's Senior Editor John Kelman w rote “ Escoffery's command of the instrument is impressive, able to navigate broad intervallic leaps with a sound that is robust in all r egisters,”   

In October of 2006 Wayne signed with Savant Records, founded and run by noted record industry legend Joe Fields and his highly respected son Barney. His first CD for Savant called “Veneration” (released in March of 2007) was recorded live at Smoke Jazz Club in NYC and features Joe Locke vibes, Hans Glawichnig bass, and Lewis Nash on drums.

                         CECIL BROOKS III 

A contemporary drummer and aggressive, polyrhythmic stylist, Cecil Brooks , III has worked in the New York area with such musicians as Greg Osby, Geri Allen and Lonnie Plaxico . He recorded his debut album as a leader for Muse in 1989, subsequently releasing efforts including 1990's Hangin' with Smooth, 1993's Neck Peckin' Jammie and 2000's Our Mister Brooks, The intimate setting of Live at Sweet Basil (2003)

His father was a drummer and a grandfather a concert pianist, Brooks recalls that “music just flourished through the house. ... It was there to partake in an y time I wanted to. Philly Joe [Jones] used to come by, and Art Blakey. I played on Blakey's drums when I was 10 years old.  “Blakey was one of my earlier influences - though my father, Cecil Brooks II, was definitely my first influence. From there it went to Tony Williams and Max Roach, all the way back to Cozy Cole.”

Brooks is also making his mark on the music as a producer, recently Muse created a subsidiary label, Westside Records, so he could produce some of the older, lesser-known artists whom he's been bringing into the Muse stable, includ ing voc alists Gail Allen and Jackie Woods and saxophonist Reggie Wood.

In addition to touring and session work in swing, hard bop  and bebop settings, Cecil has also played drums for TVs "The Bill Cosby Show" and is the owner of Cecil's Jazz Club in West Orange, NJ.

TICKETS AVAILABLE ONLY AT

TWO RIVER THEATER BOX OFFICE  -  21 BRIDGE AVENUE  -  RED BANK, NJ 07701

OR BY PHONE:  (732) 345-1400

OR FOLLOW THIS LINK TO A SECURE ON-LINE TICKET AGENT:   CLICK HERE