The late New Orleans legend Allen Toussaint once wrote “everything I do gon’ be funky from now on.” The same could be said for one of the world’s greatest living bassists, Christian McBride of Montclair. Fresh off performing in ‘The Jersey Sound’ documentary currently free-streaming on Tubi, the bassist-composer-arranger-educator has shown up on the new album by jazz-rock fusion legend Mike Stern. E’choes And Other Songs’ won’t be out until September 13 but we have an advance listen of one track, “Stuff Happens.”

In 1865, the building on East Jersey Avenue in Elizabeth was known as the Drake Opera House. The Marx Brothers, George Burns, Jack Benny, Ray Charles, Harry Chapin, Maya Angelou, Chaka Khan, Rodney Dangerfield, Miles Davis, Elvis Presley, Johnny Cash, Frank Sinatra, Sammy Davis, Jr. and Dean Martin have all graced its stage. Now, the accent is on esoterica with a slate of action-packed shows that will percolate with percussion including Salsa, Soul, Reggae, Mexicali, Worldbeat and Samba.

Rascal Felix Cavaliere has teamed up with Tennessee superstar Dolly Parton to aid victims of the Maui fire for a remake of his 1968 song “My Hawaii.” Maui, a year later, is still reeling from the devastating effects of a monster wildfire that killed over a hundred people and has crippled the state’s tourism economy. 100% of the proceeds to purchase the digital download of “My Hawaii” will go to the Maui Fire Disaster Relief Fund.

Soldier Mike Archer had to take time and write a letter to Tommy James thanking him “for weaving and tapestry of peace and tranquility through your music, offering solace to those who sought refuge from the chaos.” He put in the subject line that “you may never know the profound impact your song had on a young soldier fighting a war (Vietnam) far from home, but your music will forever hold a special place in my heart.”

In a quest to find the next great jazz singer, The New Jersey Performing Arts Center (NJPAC) is now accepting entries for the 13th annual Sarah Vaughan International Jazz Vocal Competition.

The new song from Asbury Park band Lost In Society is “Pascal and Sabine.” Produced by Pete Steinkopf of New Brunswick band The Bouncing Souls, it’s off the new Lost In Society EP, ‘The Distribution Of Comfort’ (California’s Wiretap Records) due August 9.

Longtime Jersey City resident Walter Parks will inaugurate the new “Fletcher’s Listening Room” in Montclair. Ministers and congregants of the Unitarian Universalist Congregation at Montclair (UUCM) put the new series with a coffeehouse vibe—according to Cindy Stagoff at njarts.net—into effect.

Singer-Songwriter-Producer Eric Roberson—born in Rahway 51 years ago—is putting on his “Mask” to continue a vow to release a new song at least every other month. He co-produced and co-wrote this song that he says, “was probably my hardest song to write and record this year. Even though I didn’t feel it was my story, I dove deep into the character. I cried throughout the entire process. I hope it connects with someone who needs it.”

Eighteen New Jersey greats will be inducted into the 10,000 square-foot new home of the New Jersey Hall of Fame at American Dream on Route 3 in East Rutherford. It’s the 16th annual such celebration and it will take place on a pre-taped November 13 televised broadcast on Fox 5 and My9 as well as social media. The 18 in their categories are…

Fans who got there early when Orville Peck played The Stone Pony Summer Stage in Asbury Park recently got to see country-pop singer Abbey Cone—a Texan now residing in Tennessee—sing her new single, “I Hate Springsteen.”

The New Jersey Symphony Orchestra—under the direction of Xian Zhang—will interpret Stanley Clarke’s soundtrack to John Singleton’s Oscar-nominated 1991 crime thriller ‘Boyz N’The Hood’ on November 22 at the New Jersey Performing Arts Center in Newark as the movie is shown (not in its entirety) on the big screen behind them.

There’s been a lot of talk back and forth about ‘The Jersey Sound’ documentary. Now people can see it for themselves. Watch this space for further announcements in the near future about where else you will be able to watch this love letter to the music and musicians of our great state. But now, for the time being, enjoy.

The free “Heart Of The City” festival returns to Rahway in Union County for the fourth time on August 3 at noon for six hours right on the corner of Irving and East Cherry Streets. Venders and artists will showcase their wares. There will be local music talent, a live DJ, and an interactive art installation that allows festival-goers a photo-shoot moment.

We’ve thrilled to West Orange guitarist-composer-educator Dave Stryker before…but not like this. His opening sets for Steely Dan last year proved his funky versatility. His set at Sculler’s in Boston blew the roof off the joint. His ‘Prime’ album was a deeeep groove. Now, though, he’s in a subservient role, yet his artistry is still in full flower, blossoming when called upon to add subtle layers of sophistication to ‘Brian Landrus Plays Ellington & Strayhorn’ on Palmetto Records.

Wednesday to Sunday, the 24th to the 28th of July. The Hoboken Historical Museum will present a 16-photo pictorial of the event called “On The Steps of St. Ann’s: A Collection of Photographs from The Feast 2001-2022 by Bob Delavante” that will run from Sunday of this weekend to August 25.

Stevie Van Zandt’s Wicked Cool Records label is re-releasing the 2013 12-track ‘You Are What You Absorb’ debut of “Trash Pop Maven” Palmyra Delran on “Turtle Green” vinyl. ‘Guitar World’ magazine called it “an intoxicating blend of punk-girl grit combined with hook-laden melodies and deep lyrics. The single, ‘You’re My Brian Jones,’ is a psychedelic romp back to the ‘60s with an infectious groove and smooth vocals.” Van Zandt picked it as “The Coolest Song of 2012.”

The Garden State Arts Center in Holmdel will present their annual slate of free shows starting September. The series is presented by The Garden State Arts Foundation, a non-profit organization founded in 1984.

Circle the date. Montclair has proclaimed September 14 as the FREE 2024 Downtown Jamboree wherein eight solid hours of great music from noon to 8:00 p.m. will be performed in the street on Bloomfield Avenue between Grove Street and Midland Avenue (the area will be roped off to cars). Retailers and restaurant storefronts will remain open.

Back in April, we told you about a New York City producer-composer-musician-filmmaker named Kramer who moved to the sleepy hamlet of Demerest in Bergen County. Next month he will release his ambient ‘The Walk’ album with noted Japanese rebel Kato Hideki, largely responsible for the ‘90s “Noise” scene in Tokyo.

On Saturday, August 24, at 1:00 p.m., the FREE annual Long Branch Jazz & Blues Festival will start making noise for eight hours. It’s on The Great Lawn Promenade—Boardwalk at 10 Ocean Blvd.—and is presented by The Jersey Shore Jazz & Blues Foundation. Food trucks, vendors, activities for the kids, crafters.