Jersey City Jazz Fest Revs Up For May 30 & 31
The Rumble will bring New Orleans to Jersey City.
The 12th annual Jersey City Jazz Festival—with both free and ticketed shows—will take place May 30 and 31 on the Hudson River waterfront with its three stages, a “community zone,” food trucks, bars, a “V.I.P. Experience” and a parade. There are also events scheduled on May 27, 28 & 29 in anticipation of the weekend’s festivities. (Further information can be found by visiting https://riverviewjazz.org/jersey-city-jazz-festival.)
They’re calling it “Jersey City Jazz Week” and it all gets started May 27 with Oklahoma vocalist-pianist Champian Fulton, 39, whose 18 albums and shows in 25 countries attest to her standing as one of America’s finest traditional jazz singers of her generation. She will perform from 6:00 to 8:00 at The Junto Attic Bar on Mercer Street. When she finishes, you can hop on over to The Pet Shop on Newark Avenue where bassist John Herbert with lead his trio with Brandon Seabrook and Ches Smith until 11:00. May 28 means a 6:00 performance as part of the free May 7-August 27 “Groove On Grove” series at the Grove Street PATH Plaza with a yet-to-be-announced artist OR you can choose to see vocalist Lezlie Harrison back at The Junto Attic Bar at 6:00 and some free bluegrass at 7:00 with Go Bailers at The Archer, also on Newark Avenue, then Tim Berne’s quartet at The Pet Shop at 8:00.
Four shows dot May 29 as a night to remember in Hudson County. James Austin, Jr. performs “Songs In The Key Of Wonder” (Stevie, that is) with Danny Raycraft opening, in the Brennan Court House at 6:00. Milkman & Sons perform for free at 7:00 at The Archer. Kali Rodriguez Pena holds court at 7:00 in The Statuary on Congress Street, and The Riverview Jazz All-Stars get loud and proud on Pacific Avenue at 7:00 atop The Brewery Rooftop.
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THE 2025 JERSEY CITY JAZZ FESTIVAL LINEUP
May 30
It all starts at the Hyatt Regency Happy Hour featuring Orion Turre at 4:30 for free. At 6:00. Winard Harper and Jeli Posse are free on the RWJ Barnabas Health Plaza Stage, then stick around the Plaza Stage for a free DJ set by Niko & Bad Habits at 7:00, followed by some free New Orleans magic by The Rumble featuring Big Chief Joseph Boudreaux, Jr. At 9:00, there’s going to be a swinging jam session with guitarist Charlie Sigler for free on the Terrace at the Hyatt House.
May 31
The WBGO Next Gen Collective will spotlight new up’n’coming talent at The Clubhouse by Ford’s Gin at 1:00 in the afternoon, followed by Artemis at 3:00, the Hebert-Hersch-Wallace-Drummond Bridge & Tunnel quartet at 5:00 and Tyreek McDole at 7:00. The Riverview Jazz All-Stars will swing for free at noon on the RWJ Barnabas Health Place Stage followed by Sam Barsh for free at 2:00, the Honk Family Band for free at three and the April & Randall duo at 4:00 for free. Steven Bernstein’s Millennial Territory Orchestra featuring Catherine Russell will play at 6:00 and the Astoria Salsa Company is free at 8:00. Five FREE shows transpire at the Exchange Place Alliance Pier Stage starting at 1:30 with the United Children’s Music Project Latin Ensemble, the New Jersey City University Jazz Ensemble at 3:45, swing dance lessons at 4:30, the Robert Edwards Big Band at 5:00, and Salsa/Mambo dance lessons at 7:00. If you still have yet to be satiated, feel free to take advantage of one more free event: the official after-party on the terrace of the Hyatt House.
When you wake up June 1, you should be all jazzed out, but if you’re a true music slut, there’s even a post-fest closing party at Moore’s Lounge with Winard Harper and “Special Guests” at 7:00. And, yeah, it’s free.