‘Giants Of Jazz’ Concert Returning To South Orange For 25th Year

SOUTH ORANGE, NJ — Master drummer and Grammy Award-winning band leader Lewis Nash will be honored at the 25th annual “Giants of Jazz concert” at the South Orange Performing Arts Center (SOPAC) on Saturday, Nov. 30.

The concert will begin at 8 p.m. Learn more or purchase tickets here.

The annual Giants of Jazz concert is curated by Grammy Award-winning producer and bass player, John Lee, a South Orange resident.

This year’s lineup will include Eric Alexander, Don Braden, Tommy Campbell, Cyrus Chestnut, Steve Davis, Emmet Cohen, Dave Stryker, John DiMartino, Dezron Douglas, Roberta Gambarini, Benito Gonzales, Winard Harper, Billy Hart, Freddie Hendrix, Mike LeDonne, Brandon McCune, Rufus Reid, Evan Sherman, Terell Stafford, Erena Terakubo, Jeff “Tain” Watts, John Webber, Buster Williams, and Steve Wilson.

Nash – who was recently profiled in the November issue of Jersey Jazz – will join some prestigious company. The honor roll of past recipients includes a roster of luminaries: Gary Bartz, Kenny Barron, George Cables, Jimmy Cobb, George Coleman, Bob Cranshaw, Frank Foster, Benny Golson, Slide Hampton, Albert “Tootie” Heath, Jimmy Heath, Harold Mabern, Jackie McLean, Marion McPartland, James Moody, Lewis Nash, Benny Powell, Rufus Reid, Claudio Roditi, Dr. Billy Taylor, Clark Terry, McCoy Tyner, Frank Wess, Randy Weston, Buster Williams, and Phil Woods.

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