Traditional 'Chicken Fat Ball' To Return To Maplewood After Hiatus For COVID

MAPLEWOOD, NJ —For the first time since January of 2020, The Chicken Fat Ball, a feisty swing party to which people can bring their own refreshments, is returning to Maplewood.

The jazz tradition goes back more than 50 years.

The New Jersey Jazz Society, which runs the event, promises "a lineup of outstanding swing musicians. This year’s seven crowd-pleasing stars: Warren Vache, cornet (photo above); John Allred, trombone; Ken Peplowski, clarinet and tenor sax; Harry Allen, tenor sax; Rossano Sportiello, piano; Gary Mazzaroppi, bass; and Paul Wells, drums."

The event seats 200 and often sells out, they say.

“It’s a jazz gig,” Vache is quoted as saying. “We will make it up when we get there.”

Where did it get its name? The story goes that in 1964, two of the organizers were thinking up names for it while at Katz's deli. Then, they spied a bowl of schmaltz.

The event will be held at the Woodland in Maplewood on May 30.

To get tickets or find out more, click here.

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