As we get ready for this Saturday’s 15th Montclair Jazz Festival I want to reflect on the first Montclair Jazz Festival, produced by Jazz House Kids in 2010. Back then, the festival was just a little neighborhood performance presented as the final concert for our two week Jazz House Kids Summer Workshop. We played on a side lawn at Nishuane Park. All the students who participated in that camp played and then some great musicians closed the evening out led by Christian McBride. I was director of the workshop in those days and tasked with coordinating the students as they ascended and descended the state. The great jazz writer, DJ and perfectly described “Queen of the Hang,” Sheila Anderson was the announcer and my partner in crime keeping everything on schedule. I performed with my son Julian, who was 15 at the time, in a father’s and son band co-lead by the greater drummer Steve Johns and his son Daryl Johns on bass who was 14. We had 300 attendees, mostly family of the students and a few extra passers by.
Now the festival is a major festival attracting musicians and guests from all over the world. This year will be special for the Lee family as several of us perform with different ensembles on the various stages.
At 12:00 noon Julian will perform on the Downtown Stage with the Jazz House Legacy Band comprised of Jazz House Kids’ most illustrious alumni including Caelen Cardello – piano, Alex Warshawsky – bass, Wallace Roney Jr. – trumpet, Zoe Obadia – alto saxophone, Zac Adleman – drums, Coleman Hughes – trombone and Julian on tenor saxophone.
Then at 1 pm I’ll be joining the illustrious Trombonist and Conch Shell artist, Steve Turre and his sextet. It is always to perform with this one of kind, world class artist. He’ll also be joining in the family fun as his son Orion will be playing drums and daughter, Andromeda, the festival announcer, will sing one with us too!
Jacquie Lee on violin and voice, will be heard throughout the early afternoon performing with her band along the avenue from 12 to 4 pm. Be sure to look for her as you make your way between stages on the long hike up (or down) Bloomfield Ave.
At 6:30 I’ll be taking the uptown stage to close out the festival with Jazz House Collective, a big-band comprised of Jazz House Kids faculty. We’ll feature our Executive Director and Founder, Melissa Walker on vocals.
Jacquie Lee at Montclair Jazz Festival Uptown Showcase. Photo by Adam Z.
