NJ Jazz Society Receives Summit Foundation Grant To Support Live Music

Press release from the New Jersey Jazz Society:

SUMMIT, NJ — The New Jersey Jazz Society is pleased to announce it has been awarded a $2,750 grant from The Summit Foundation to support nine Sunday afternoon Jersey Jazz LIVE! performances. The concerts are held at the Madison (NJ) Community Arts Center and include two segments — a main concert by seasoned professionals and a Rising Stars opening act featuring high school or college jazz studies students.

The Jersey Jazz LIVE! concerts bring into the community performances by jazz professionals who combine musical presentations with an appreciation of the history and legacy of America's original art form. Recent events have included tributes to vocal legends and female jazz pioneers. The February 2024 concert focused on Black History Month by highlighting some classic musical compositions that defined important jazz styles throughout decades of the music. Some of the musical pieces performed also demonstrated how iconic jazz artists dealt with social justice. The March 2024 concert will be a tribute to vocalist Sarah Vaughan in the month of her centennial birthday.

The Rising Stars opening acts have not only provided a venue for emerging artists, but also an opportunity for music students to interact on the bandstand with seasoned jazz artists.

The New Jersey Jazz Society (njjs.org), founded in 1972, is a non-profit organization of business and professional people, musicians, teachers, students, and listeners working together for the purpose of advancing jazz music. Its mission is to promote and preserve America’s original art form – jazz. The Society seeks to ensure continuity of the jazz art form through its commitment to nurture and champion local talent, along with showcasing outstanding national and international artists.

The Summit Foundation (summitforever.org) serves the community by growing and granting philanthropic resources to address local needs. In the past 10 years, it has invested $10.3 million in the community through grants, scholarships, donor-advised distributions, and special purpose funds.

This press release was provided by the New Jersey Jazz Society.