Podcast 835: Previewing NJPAC's Return to Live Performances

Is the current trend of live jazz performances going to continue through the Fall? Large presenters are certainly moving forward as if they will be swinging along. The New Jersey Performing Arts Center (NJPAC) is welcoming live, in-person jazz back to its stage this Fall beginning with Grammy Award-winning vocalist Gregory Porter (Sep 24). The TD Jazz Series continues in the Fall with "Salsa Meets Jazz" (Sep 25), saxophonist Boney James (Oct 14), and vocal powerhouse duo Tierney Sutton and Ann Hampton Calloway (Oct 15). Celebrating its 10th anniversary is the annual TD James Moody Jazz Festival showcasing an all-star lineup of the country's best musicians, held Nov 6-20, including the New Jersey premiere of Christian McBride's The Movement Revisited. For a complete schedule, along with information about the programs, visit NJPAC.org/jazz.            I spoke with NJPAC's Executive Vice President & Executive Producer David Rodriguez at the end of July to learn more. Born in Newark, New Jersey, he was a full-time musician on the road with groups ranging from Isaac Hayes to Tito Puente to the Rochester Philharmonic. Prior to NJPAC, David was CEO of BergenPAC, where he created a partnership with Bennett Studios and collaborated on recordings and live broadcasts from BergenPAC's stage of kd lang, Tony Bennett and Steve Martin. Rodriguez was then chief executive of the legendary Apollo Theatre, where he produced six seasons of "Showtime at the Apollo" and several other shows. Podcast 835 is our conversation, as we discuss the coming Fall season, which includes the TD James Moody Jazz Festival, an event of national importance, including the 10th annual Sarah Vaughan International Jazz Vocal Competition. Musical selections include tunes from performers Gregory Porter ("Everything You Touch Turns to Gold") and Tierney Sutton ("Diamonds are a Girl's Best Friend"), as well as Jazzmeia Horn ("No More"), a former Jazz Vocal Competition winner, and a judge this year.