Jazz Series

Next Music in the Moonlight Jazz Concert:

The Final Music in the Moonlight Concert of the Season

Sunday May 19th, at 7pm

Tickets are $18 in Advance, $20 at the Door

Greg Bufford Celebrates Drum Legend Philly Joe Jones

About the Musicians

Greg Bufford (drums)

Bufford was born in Kaiserslautern, Germany; grew up in Harrisburg, PA; and lived in Philadelphia from 1975-81 before moving to New York and, in 1998, to West Orange. He has a jazz performance degree from Rutgers University and has played with several celebrated jazz musicians such as alto saxophonist Sonny Stitt and baritone saxophonist Cecil Payne. He leads a trio on Tuesday nights at SuzyQue’s restaurant in West Orange and was part of the Monday night jam at the now defunct Skipper’s Pub in Newark. He appears frequently with Nat Adderley, Jr.’s bands at such venues as Trumpets in Montclair and the OSPAC Jazz Festival in West Orange.

Lou Rainone (pianist)

Rainone began his career in the late ‘70s playing in hotels and clubs in the Baltimore and Washington, DC, area. Since moving to New York in 2000, he has appeared with such musicians as trumpeter Ted Curson, tenor saxophonist Grant Stewart and guitarist Joe Cohn. He has appeared in jazz festivals all over the world and works regularly as a clinician conducting workshops in such diverse locations as Penn State University and Taipei, Taiwan.

Belden Bullock (bassist)

After graduating from the Berklee College of Music, Bullock spent several years as an ensemble professor while playing and recording with many of the top musicians in the Boston area. Now a resident of New Jersey, he regularly plays with a wide variety of well-known musicians including pianist Ahmad Jamal and drummer Roy Haynes.

 

 

 

 

 

Willie Williams (saxophonist)

While leading his own band in Philadelphia, Williams was discovered by alto saxophonist Bobby Watson, who encouraged him to move to New York City, which he did, playing with such jazz giants as the late drummer Art Blakey and pianist Jaki Byard. His big break came with Taylor’s Wailers, a quintet formed by the late drummer Arthur Taylor. He also worked with tenor saxophonist Clifford Jordan’s big band and the Mingus Dynasty. He currently plays and records with his own ensembles and has recorded four albums as a leader including The Enja Band Live at Sweet Basil with drummer Cecil Brooks III and Spirit Willie with pianist Geoff Keezer, bassist Christian McBride and drummer Victor Lewis.

James Gibbs III (trumpeter)

In 1994, Gibbs was playing at the Five Spot jazz club in New York City when he was discovered by the late jazz singer Betty Carter who invited him to audition at her annual jazz performance program called “Jazz Ahead”. As a result, he began performing with her, appearing at such venues as The Brooklyn Academy of Music and the Kennedy Center. Today he performs all over the world as both a leader and a sideman. He has appeared with such musicians as bassists John Lee and Rufus Reid, guitarist Mark Whitfield and trumpeter Sean Jones.

 

 

The 2012-2013 Music in the Moonlight Jazz Series Schedule:

*All programming subject to change.

* Click here for a downloadable flier *

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Series Curator Sanford Josephson’s Bio: Sanford Josephson is the author of Jazz Notes: Interviews Across the Generations (Praeger/ABC-Clio).  He has written extensively about jazz musicians in a variety of publications ranging from the New York Daily News to American Way Magazine.  He currently writes the “Big Band in the Sky” column for Jersey Jazz Magazine. Josephson is also director of marketing and public relations for the Matheny Medical and Educational Center, a special hospital and educational facility in Peapack, NJ, for children and adults with medically complex developmental disabilities.  He is a member of the New Jersey Jazz Society, the Jazz Journalists Association and the Duke Ellington Society and is on the Board of Directors of the Healthcare Planning & Marketing Society of New Jersey and the New Jersey Advertising Club. He holds a Bachelor of Journalism degree from the University of Missouri in Columbia, MO, and lives in West Orange, NJ, with his wife, Linda, and dog, Onyx.

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Check out more local Jazz events at:

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Past Music In The Moonlight Jazz Concerts:

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* [Luna Stage Event Calendar] *