The following is from the office of Essex County Executive Joseph N. DiVincenzo, Jr.
Essex County Executive Joseph N. DiVincenzo, Jr. invites the public to celebrate the Fourth of July with three spectacular fireworks displays and exciting concerts by the New Jersey Symphony Orchestra in Essex County Branch Brook Park on Friday, June 26th, Shadows of the ‘60s in Essex County Weequahic Park on Tuesday, June 30th and Simply Diamond in Essex County Brookdale Park on Wednesday, July 1st.
The 2015 Essex County SummerMusic Concert Series also moves into high gear with a Gospel Festival, House Music Festival and performances by the Air National Guard Band, Brick City Jazz Orchestra, Frank Valdes Quintet and Darlene Love.
“Our Free Concert Series offers a diverse lineup of performers who will take center stage in venues throughout our historic Essex County Park System. Pack a blanket, enjoy the cool evening breeze and dance to the sounds of classical, rock and roll, jazz, big band, Latin and more. We have an outstanding line-up that is sure to entertain and impress,” DiVincenzo said. “An evening in the parks with some of the area’s most talented musicians and our Spectacular Fireworks Extravaganzas are the perfect shows for Independence Day. Come out and celebrate your Fourth of July with us,” he added.
The New Jersey Symphony Orchestra and Fireworks Display
Relax with friends and family and enjoy an evening under the stars at Essex County Branch Brook Park in Newark. The Orchestra, under the direction of Conductor Gemma New, will play classical dances from Mozart, Tchaikovsky and Brahms in the first half. Then, rev up for a lively second half when the NJSO plays tunes from swing, Latin, pop and a whole lot more. Bring a picnic, bring the kids and, by all means, bring your dancing shoes. In case of rain, the concert will be relocated to an indoor location and the fireworks will be rescheduled at a later date. The concert and fireworks will be held as follows:
Date: Friday, June 26, 2015
Time: 7:30 p.m.
Place: Essex County Branch Brook Park
Heller Parkway
The Great Lawn
Newark, NJ
Shadows of the ‘60s and Fireworks Display
Shadows of the ‘60s pays tribute to the tremendous legacy of The Four Tops, The Temptations and the Supremes. In this tribute production show, the group performs musical hits that span several decades. Great care is taken to reproduce the music, note for note and in the original keys and arrangements. Shadows of the ‘60s and the Fireworks Display will be held as follows:
Date: Tuesday, June 30, 2015
Rain date: Thursday, July 2nd
Time: 7:30 p.m.
Place: Essex County Weequahic Park
Meeker Avenue
Newark, NJ
Simply Diamond: A Tribute to Neil Diamond and Fireworks Display
Following the advice of Paul Shaffer of “The Late Show with David Letterman,” Brian La Blanc embarked on a musical venture – a Neil Diamond tribute band called “Simply Diamond.” Testimonials from Shaffer and radio host Joey Reynolds describe La Blanc as the best Neil Diamond act out there. La Blanc is also a singer, songwriter and musician from the New York area. He landed a record deal in 2005 on the Italian label, Frontiers. He has worked with Rupert Holmes, Felix Cavaliere and Arif Mardin. Simply Diamond and the Fireworks Display will be held as follows:
Date: Wednesday, July 1, 2015
Rain date: Thursday, July 2nd
Time: 7:30 p.m.
Place: Essex County Brookdale Park
Watchung Avenue, Bloomfield, NJ
Bellevue Avenue, Bloomfield, NJ
The 2015 Essex County SummerMusic Concert Series is in full swing, with the following upcoming performances:
Frank Valdes
Frank Valdes is a percussionist, composer and vocalist. He currently tours with the Machito Orchestra, the Richie Cecere Orchestra, The Shirelles, The Dalton Gang, Ensalada de Pulpo Quartet, Aura Quartet, Gordon James Quintet and his own solo music project Boricua Zone. Valdes has performed with Dizzy Gillespie, Toots Theilsman and Art Blakey. He will perform as follows:
Date: Tuesday, July 7, 2015
Time: 7 p.m.
Place: Essex County Independence Park
Van Buren Street
Newark, NJ
Carrie Jackson
Jazz vocal stylist Carrie Jackson is a native of Newark who honed her talent in her hometown. She began singing in the Children’s Choir at Mount Calvary Baptist Church in Newark, became a featured vocalist with Duke Anderson’s Big Band and is President and CEO of her own music companies, C-Jay Records and C-Jay Recording & Productions, Inc. Whether performing solo or with her Jazzin’ All Star Band, Jackson’s classical performances feature jazz favorites, soulful pop, blues and poignant mellow gospel. Carrie Jackson will perform as follows:
Date: Wednesday, July 8, 2015
Time: 7 p.m.
Place: Essex County Irvington Park
Lyons Avenue
Irvington, NJ
Darlene Love
Since the early 1960s, Darlene Love has done it all, from major motion pictures like “Lethal Weapon” to Broadway hits like “Hairspray” and “Grease.” She even starred as herself in “Leader of the Pack” and appeared on numerous television programs. Love sang “All Alone on Christmas,” which is featured in the movie “Home Alone 2,” a holiday favorite. She also has sang back up for Tom Jones, The Righteous Brothers, Dionne Warwick, Marvin Gaye and Elvis Presley. Her Billboard hits include “He’s A Rebel,” “The Boy I’m Gonna Marry,” “Wait ‘Til My Bobby Gets Home,” “He’s Sure the Boy I Love” and “Christmas Baby Please Come Home,” a song that she performed annually with Paul Shaffer and the CBS Symphony Orchestra on “The Late Show With David Letterman.” She will perform as follows:
Date: Friday, July 10, 2015
Time: 7:30 p.m.
Place: Essex County Brookdale Park
Watchung Avenue, Bloomfield, NJ
Bellevue Avenue, Bloomfield, NJ
Gradie Stone
Gradie Stone grew up in a musical family that included her father who was a Grammy Award-nominated musician with the Kirby Stone Four and her mother who was a singer with The DeMarco Sisters. Gradie was a jazz vocal major at William Paterson University, toured with several groups after graduating and became a singer with George Young in his All-Star Band. Her jazz performances incorporate some funk and rhythm and blues. Stone’s albums include “After All These Years” and “Gradie Stone Live!” which was recorded in one night in Paterson. Gradie Stone will perform as follows:
Date: Tuesday, July 14, 2015
Time: 7 p.m.
Place: Essex County Monte Irvin Orange Park
Oakwood Avenue and Central Avenue
Orange, NJ
Junior Vega
The Essex County Free SummerMusic Concert Series continues with Junior Vega in Essex County Riverfront Park in Newark. Vega is a highly respected trumpet teacher and jazz musician. He will perform as follows:
Date: Wednesday, July 15, 2015
Time: 7 p.m.
Place: Essex County Riverbank Park
West Market Street and Somme Street
Newark, NJ
Malcolm X: A Commentary with Trilogy: An Opera Company
Trilogy: An Opera Company will present an opera about Malcolm X. Based in Newark and led by its artistic director, Kevin Maynard, Trilogy presents opera in a non-traditional format and venues. Trilogy: An Opera Company will perform as follows:
Date: Thursday, July 16, 2015
Time: 7 p.m.
Place: Essex County Weequahic Park
Meeker Avenue, Newark, NJ
Jazz Under the Stars with Marc Antoine
Marc Antoine is a jazz guitarist and composer who began studying classical music. His career is filled with many number one hits on the contemporary jazz charts. In 1995, he won Best New Jazz Artist of the year, which was followed by a Latin Grammy for best instrumental song in 2005, and he won the International Artist of the Year at the Chicago Jazz awards in 2010. He has regularly toured with jazz artists Dave Koz, Chris Botti and Jeffrey Osborn. Antoine has also composed major movie soundtracks including Get Shorty, Patch Adams, and Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil. Marc Antoine will perform as follows:
Date: Friday, July 17, 2015
Time: 7:30 p.m.
Place: Essex County Brookdale Park
Watchung Avenue, Bloomfield, NJ
Bellevue Avenue, Bloomfield, NJ
The SummerMusic Concert Series is being sponsored by Rose Squared Productions, The Horizon Foundation for New Jersey and TD Bank. The series is also made possible, in part, by the New Jersey State Council on the Arts/Department of State.
Concerts are held at accessible sites. Persons who require special accommodations or assistance are asked to call at least two weeks prior to the concert to alert staff as to their needs. Admission to the concerts is free. For more information, please call the Department of Parks, Recreation and Cultural Affairs at 973‑239-2485.
The Essex County Park System was created in 1895 and is the first county park system established in the United States. The Park System consists of more than 6,000 acres and has 22 parks, five reservations, an environmental center, a zoo, Treetop Adventure Course, ice skating rink, roller skating rink, three public golf courses, golf driving range, two miniature golf courses, Treetop Adventure Course, three off-leash dog facilities, a castle and the Presby Memorial Iris Gardens.
