Garden State Jazz Greats Series

Come and join Jazz scholar Ben Young as he explores the majesty, style, and genius of New Jersey’s own jazz greats. Many of these names you may already know and all of them you should know as each of these innovators have left their indelible imprint on world culture through the great African American creation of Jazz.

Ben Young will discuss the lives and contributions of each of these home state heroes along with the musical and historical context to help illustrate what made each of their unique and singular artistic visions have such an impact.

July’s featured artist will be pianist and bandleader Count Basie. Although Basie is associated with the Kansas City scene, he was born and raised in Red Bank, New Jersey. The innovative conceptions Basie brought to the big band ensemble helped make the Count Basie Band legendary. He also had a little help from his player who included Buck Clayton, Freddie Green, Walter Page, Jimmy Rushing, and the ever amazing Lester Young.