The 3:00 p.m. performance of the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra with guest violinist Ray Chen, as directed by Vasily Petrenko, on January 25 at NJPAC downtown Newark, will be preceded by a 2:00 “pre-show talk,” according to the venue. It’s been 80 years and counting for this venerable institution of an orchestra. England’s most in-demand big big big band will perform Nielsen’s “Helios Overture,” Sibelius’s “Symphony #2” and a Tchaikovsky violin concerto where Chen will positively soar.

Native New Yorker Sam Dillon blows tenor sax, writes and educates. He commands a stage, solos like crazy and is always asked to play on other people’s records and stages including The Mingus Big Band and the Vanguard Jazz Orchestra. Combining tradition and innovation, he’s a good bet to catch Jan. 24 on Cedar Lane in Teaneck for one, two or three of his sets.

In support of its new self-released Cook album, the sextet known as Lettuce will hit Bloomfield Avenue in Montclair at the Wellmont Jan. 22 for some deep-fried funk. Expect to hear “Gold Tooth,” “Breathe” and its cover of Keni Burke’s 1982 “Risin’ To The Top.” Trumpeter Benny Bloom says “Breathe” is his favorite song on the new album. “I can just see myself strutting down the streets of New York City on a brisk October night,” he says, “thinking of all the possibilities my future holds if I just listen to myself and breathe.”

Pianist James Austin, Jr. leads a monthly 7:30 p.m. jazz jam at Clement’s Place in Newark starting Jan. 22 and continuing for three more months. Singers and instrumentalists are invited, be they novice or seasoned, to jam out and improvise.

Punk legends The Dictators have their first album out in 23 years. Self-titled, it features bassist Andy Shernoff (who started the band in 1972), lead guitarist Ross The Boss (who was right there with him at inception), former Blue Oyster Cult drummer Albert Bouchard and the new guy, singer Keith Roth (who joined in 2021). Also on the bill is Richard Lloyd, no stranger to the ranks of Punk Icons as he co-founded the influential band Television with Tom Verlaine in 1973. Opening will be Full Steen Ahead, a Jersey band well-versed in punk history.

Newark drummer-composer Mecadon McCune will bash his way through three sets of modern jazz on Jan. 9 on Cedar Lane in Teaneck. The son of multi-instrumentalist Brandon McCune and opera singer Christine Clemmons-McCune, he started on piano before settling on the drums in high school. He won the ten-grand James Moody Jazz Scholarship to go to Montclair State where he honed his chops into the powerhouse percussionist he is today. 

The New Jersey Symphony will be conducted by David Newman on this glitzy night of Hollywood theme music. Newman is the son of legendary movie-music maestro Alfred Newman [1900-1970] and the cousin of singer-songwriter Randy Newman. The Newman family has amassed an incredible 93 Oscar nominations, winning 13. German pianist Sebastian Knauer will add his patented flourishes on such movie themes as A Beautiful Mind, Spartacus, The Robe, How The West Was Won and Basic Instinct.  

Sax man Harry Allen—who graduated Rutgers with a Bachelor of Arts degree—hits Teaneck Jan. 2. With over 70 albums as a leader, and international gigs galore, he’s blown sax for Rosemary Clooney and John Pizzarelli.  His music is heard in Hollywood movies, in commercials, and his command of the “Great American Songbook” is profound. On this night, he will have with him pianist Rossano Sportiello, originally from Vigevano in Italy and now based in NYC.

A Flock Of Seagulls, Men Without Hats, Thomas Dolby, The Romantics, Bow Wow Wow and Tommy Tutone will hit the Ocean Casino & Resort on the AC boardwalk Dec. 27 as part of the Totally Tubular festival.  Tour creator Jon Pleeter calls it, “the best ‘80s party on the planet. The audiences last year fully embraced the spirit of the tour and were wildly enthusiastic.”

Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikiovsky had his Nutcracker ballet premiere at the Imperial Marinsky in Saint Petersburg, Russia, on December 18, 1892. Now the troupe at Nimbus Dance presents the 15^th year of its annual Jersey Nutcracker in Jersey City Dec. 19-23 after runs in Newark and Union. Yes, you’ll meet the Sugar Plum Fairy, her dashing Cavalier, as well as the corrupt mayor (based on the notorious Frank Hague who once ruled Jersey City with an iron fist from 1917 to 1947). The traditional toy soldiers are now hip-hop dancers and the score is infused with more jazz than classical. 

Steve Forbert will be heading to Main Street in Tuckerton to play Lizzie Rose!  So many songs to want him to sing. Will he do tunes from Things That I See, his 2015 gem that’s been remixed and remastered on its 10^th Anniversary? Sure hope he doesn’t do “Send In The Clowns.” If I ever hear that maudlin Sondheim sludge again I might have a stroke.

Steve Forbert will be heading to Main Street in Tuckerton to play Lizzie Rose!  So many songs to want him to sing. Will he do tunes from Things That I See, his 2015 gem that’s been remixed and remastered on its 10^th Anniversary? Sure hope he doesn’t do “Send In The Clowns.” If I ever hear that maudlin Sondheim sludge again I might have a stroke.

Drew U’s Concert Hall in Madison will present two tribute bands:  Tommy Scro’s Rock’n’Roll Fantasy plays the music of John Mellencamp and Human Wheels, led by Rob Santa, does the same for Bad Company. (Santa also fronts Saints In The City, a Bruce tribute). To add a seasonal twist, both bands will be rocking up holiday fare like Mellencamp’s version of “I Saw Mommy Kissing Santa Claus.”

With Marc Ribler as Music Director, Hungerthon 2025, a Benefit for WhyHunger, the organization singer-songwriter Harry Chapin [1942-1981] co-founded to help the hungry, will rock the hallowed halls of The Stone Pony on Dec. 14 at 6:00 with Steve Chapin, Tom Chapin, Jen Chapin, Amy Helm, The Dixie Dregs, Jimmy Vivino, Randy C. Moore, Danny Clinch, The Disciples Of Soul and members of The Smithereens and the E Street Band. Non-perishable canned foods collected before the concert will be donated to the Fulfill Food Bank.

This 5:00 p.m. fundraiser benefits “transformative arts education and jazz programming in communities across our greater Monmouth County region,” according to the New Jersey Jazz Society. Jazz Arts Academy students will open the show and jam with Jon Faddis, the world-renowned trumpeter.

A new concert film, You Got Gold: A Celebration Of John Prine, is touring across the country with performances and interviews with Brandi Carlile, Steve Earle, Jason Isbell, Kacey Musgraves, Bonnie Raitt, Nathaniel Rateliff, Bob Weir of Grateful Dead, Lucinda Williams and Lyle Lovett all in thrall of John Prine [1946-2020].

Here’s a rare chance to be in the same room when legendary saxophonist-composer-producer Joe Lovano performs. He’ll be playing with Judi Silvano, the singer-songwriter-dancer who uses her voice like a horn with a wild flair for improv. This is one major-league meeting of the minds. Silvano has 14 albums to her credit. Lovano has over 40. 

Rachel Carlson, Director of Choral and Vocal Activities at Kean University, launched the Community Chorale initiative three years ago in an effort to get students, alumni and locals together every week to sing. Her ensemble with local high schools performs twice-yearly. On Dec. 7, at Enlow Recital Hall in Hillside, singers from Newark Arts High School will perform FOR FREE.

Vocals Extraordinaire! Singing songs from its current Joy To The World album, Grammy Award-winning acapella group Chanticleer—formed in San Francisco 47 years ago—celebrates the holiday by singing their hearts out Dec. 6 downtown Newark at the New Jersey Performing Arts Center on Center Street. Their innovative juxtapositioning of Renaissance motets, classic carols and contemporary compositions makes them unique.

Doors open at 1:30 for this unique day of music that they’re calling “A Festival of Expressionistic Instrumental & Experimental Sounds from the Tri-State area” at Prototype 237 in Paterson. Complete with food and venders, the artists are Garcia Peoples, Emily Robb, Emergency Group, Drew Gardner, Seawind of Battery, The Royal Arctic Institute, Ernie Francestine and David Bales.

It’s a great time to see Renaissance Man Glenn Alexander and his top-notch, tight-as-nails everything band Shadowland. With holidays in the air, Glenn’s sheer might and majesty on electric guitar will rock your socks off and he has The Asbury Jukes horn section pumping away behind him as well as the terrific vocalist they call simply Oria.

Ten albums into his career (starting with his 1992 It’s A Guitar Thing debut), Filipino guitarist-composer-educator Ron Jackson, 61, will bring his trio to Teaneck on Cedar Lane Dec. 5. Jackson plays a six- and seven-string ax, and has performed all over the world, including Scotland, Newark, Israel and his home base of New York City. His current album, Standards and My Songs, was recorded exclusively on the 7-string. 

Annie Haslam and Jim McCarty will perform and tell the tales of British progressive-rock band Renaissance at the Newton Theatre on Spring Street at 8:00 p.m. The discussion will precede a visual presentation and a concert with members of both eras of the band’s history performing their classic songs together. Born from the ashes of The Yardbirds, McCarty and the Keith Relf [1943-1976] wanted to fuse folk and classical with their rock and when Haslam joined, the stage was set. This should be an extraordinary night!

Get ready for a night of Led Zeppelin and Rolling Stones on North Avenue in Garwood at Crossroads Nov. 28 when Black Dog (pictured is Black Dog guitarist Dan Toto) and Stones tribute band Well Alright share the stage.

It’s always a party at a Tommy James concert. His voice is still solid 66 years into his Hall of Fame career (hint-hint). Those who go see him Nov. 22 in Englewood at the Bergen Performing Arts Center are guaranteed to rock out with their socks out. Maybe go “Barefootin’,” like that 1966 Robert Parker song. Now THERE’S a tune I’d love to hear TJ cover!  

Saxophonist-Educator Julius Tolentino will bring his quartet to Teaneck on Cedar Lane Nov. 21. He’s spent over 20 years in The Big Apple blowing with Louis Haye’s Cannonball Adderley Legacy Band, Natalie Cole, Connie Francis, Gloria Gaynor, Christian McBride, Illinois Jacquet, Michael Feinstein and the ghost bands of Count Basie and Duke Ellington. His Just The Beginning debut hit #8 in ’06.

On Nov. 21, the Concert Hall at Drew U in Madison will rock to the soul sounds of Marvin Gaye, Diana Ross & The Supremes, Stevie Wonder, Smokey Robinson & The Miracles plus more—including Stax Records acts—when the Motor City Review hits town. This 13-piece big-band is fronted by the exquisite Layonne Holmes from Matawan in Monmouth County. She’s already spiced up the music of Bon Jovi, Darlene Love and Ben E. King. It’s in her genes. Her mom, Delores Holmes, sang backup for Bruce.

They call him “The Bob Dylan Of Cuba.” The singer-songwriter has dedicated his 30-year career to “the problems of my people.” Banned in his native country, he maintains “words can transform. They can reach your soul and your heart. They can shake your bones. They can change your life, and that can’t be lost.” With him will be Jackson Browne, Diana Fuentes and Rodiogo Toscano.

On a Sunday afternoon at 3:00, the Chris DeVito Trio featuring bassist John Lenis and drummer Gavin Davies will perform with guitarist Sidd Suppiah at the Watchung Arts Center Nov. 16. After the show, a jam will ensue at 4:30. Pianist-Educator DeVito has been playing piano since age three. His solo gigs include a concert/lecture about legendary Harlem Stride piano man James P. Johnson [1894-1955], a major figure in the history of jazz whose early ragtime style directly and heavily influenced Basie, Ellington and Monk. (And, of course, James P. Johnson was from New Jersey.)