A Celebration of Jazz and Prominent Latinos Honored

The County of Essex will be celebrating its many Hispanic citizens Wednesday with a ceremony marking the county’s annual Latino Heritage Celebration. During the ceremony, Newark native and pitcher for the Chicago White Sox Hector Santiago will receive the “Stars of Essex County” award, along with LeeSandra Medina, assistant to the Essex County Chief of Staff.

The program will be held at the Hall of Records, 465 Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd., beginning at noon.

Also Wednesday, WBGO will host “Champions of Jazz” at the New Jersey Performing Arts Center beginning at 6 pm. Proceeds will benefit the Newark-based radio station.

The event pays tribute to Cephas Bowles, WBGO President & CEO, and The Thelonious Monk Institute of Jazz with performances by Inside Straight (Christian McBride, Carl Allen, Peter Martin, Jaleel Shaw, Warren Wolf), Hypnotic Brass Ensemble, Michael Wolff & Mike Clark, Ray Vega, Kenny Barron & Gretchen Parlato, Jazz House Kids Ensemble. Guests are also invited to get up on their feet and dance to the beat at the Felix Hernandez Dance Party

The proceeds raised at the Champions of Jazz Gala allow WBGO to continue its mission to ensure the future of this art form for generations to come through broadcast, new media, print, education and outreach around the corner and around the world.

For additional information call (973) 624-8880 x269 or send an email to events@wbgo.org