Free 'Music At The Barn' Series Returns To Bergen County With Ridgewood Native

BERGEN COUNTY, NJ — Bergen County's free outdoor music series, "Music at the Barn," returns this Sunday with a jazz performance by Bergen County resident Matt Chertkoff and renowned 90-year-old saxophonist Houston Person.

The monthly series will run through October with four concerts in total: Two jazz performances, one rockabilly, and one bluegrass show.

The first concert this Sunday runs from 4 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. at the Wortendyke Barn Museum, a county historic site.

Limited seating is available, the county announced, and attendees can bring blankets, chairs, and food.

Organizers said:

"Matt Chertkoff, is an accomplished jazz-guitarist, having performed around the world and recorded or shared the stage with jazz legends such as Jimmy Cobb, David Fathead Newman, Freddy Cole, Dee Dee Bridgewater, among others. We are very proud to say Matt is a Ridgewood native and currently Hasbrouck Heights resident.

"Matt’s trio includes Peter Van Nostrand on drums and Matthew Parrish on bass. Two wonderful players that have recorded with and played with the who’s who in jazz.

"Saxophonist Houston Person’s sweet and powerful tone has graced the world with beautiful music for over six decades. At 90, he is a master of the instrument, seemingly pouring out soulful melodies, as effortlessly as breathing. This world-renown tenor saxophonist record producer has recorded over 100 albums as a leader and appeared in hundreds more. Outstanding recording collaborations include Charles Brown, Ernie Andrews, Ron Carter, Horace Silver, Lena Horne, and many more. His musical partnership with the one and only Etta Jones, is regarded as second to only Billie Holiday and Lester Young."

The other concerts will be (double check times before heading over):

Aug. 31, 4-6:30 p.m.: Crash Gordon and Debra Dynamite (Rockabilly)

Sept. 28, 4-6:30 p.m.: Second Annual Bergen All-Star Jazz Blast

Oct. 26, 1-3:30 pm: The Cider Barn Band (14th Annual Bluegrass)

The Wortendyke Barn has been a Pascack Valley landmark since its construction on 500 acres of land bought by the Wortendyke family in 1735. It was used continually as a barn into the 20th century and is one of only six pure Dutch barn types in Bergen County.

In 1997, the barn opened as a museum with agriculture exhibits that include 18th and 19th century farm implements and tools, and the history of the Wortendyke family farm.

The barn is located at 13 Pascack Rd, Park Ridge.

For more information, call 201-336-7292 or email glucente@bergencountynj.gov.