The Asbury Park Chamber of Commerce hosts Asbury Park Loves Jazz this weekend August 7 to 9 featuring Chieli Minnuci, Marion Meadows and EFX.
According to Jackie Pappas, APCC Executive Director, the jazz weekend celebrates the jazz fan base from Absury Park to NYC and Philadelphia. “This is the perfect time to showcase our beautiful city. The revitalization that is underway on Springwood Ave and throughout our city from the Westside to the Boardwalk will be celebrated through music; Afro-Cuban Latin jazz to contemporary artists in the spotlight of today’s jazz, Asbury Park will once again have it all,” she said.
The weekend is designed, she said, so that attendees can mix music with both the beach and Asbury Park’s burgeoning restaurant and nightlife scene. Saturday’s ‘Community Jazz Day’ puts the focus on local jazz artists such as Karen Lee who is performing with Sympathetic Resonance, a group comprised of world-class jazz musicians.
On Friday Moonstruck will feature Sextet from 6 to 10 p.m. Members of Sextet have appeared with Buddy Rich, Frank Sinatra, Les Paul Dizzy Gillespie and more. The Hotel Tides will feature Lauren Hooker on Sunday from 6 to 10 p.m.
The Main Event on Sunday features Chieli Minnuci with special EFX and special guest Marion Meadows. Minuuci has earned 10 Emmy Award nominations and has won 3. He has also been the main producer for Universal Music’s, Gotham Music Library, having written and recorded over 100 CDs. Also appearing are Jonathan Fritzen & Vincent Ingala. Jonathan Fritzen’s ‘Magical’ release with featured performances from Boney James, Paul Brown, Jackiem Joyner, Darren Rahn, Malene Mortensen and Vincent Ingala, is Fritzén’s fourth solo project.
Tickets for Sunday’s Main Event can be purchased at the Stone Pony box office and online through Ticketmaster.
The kick off celebration is Fri., Aug. 7 at the transportation center at 7 p.m. with Afro-Cuban Latin Jazz from Karen Rodriquez. Tickets are $10.