Jazz and the nature of improvisation is often more about expression than it is about music itself. And considering jazz’s ties to Black culture and its roots in African-American history, it’s a great subject to discuss during Black History Month.

We’ve teamed up with the NAACP to bring you the “Jazz Cotton Club.” Deriving its name from the famed Harlem nightspot that launched the careers of some of the jazz greats, the Cotton Club will present an array of jazz-themed performances with a focus on young adults from the community. 

There will be multiple parts to the program, each focusing on a different aspect of jazz, and they will include:

• A performance from the Eastside Dance Project out of North Plainfield
• A Jazz Group performance of the Small Group Ensemble from Conackamack Middle School in Piscataway, led by Shamie Royston
• A discussion of “The History of Jazz Through Hip-Hop’s Eyes” by student speaker Kai Harrell

This program is open to families and jazz lovers alike, but space is limited so register soon to guarantee your spot.