This Music We Call Jazz: The Latin Connection Exhibit Comes To NJPAC

New Jersey Performing Arts Center (NJPAC) Presents "This Music We Call Jazz: The Latin Connection Exhibit," on Sunday, November 4th at 2 p.m."This Music We Call Jazz: The Latin Connection Exhibit," a multi-media display by 16 New Jersey and New York artists, will be the centerpiece of a collaborative tribute to the musical genius of Dizzy Gillespie, Tito Puente, Graciela, Eddie Palmieri, and many other personalities associated with Latin-American, Afro-Cuban and Afro-Brazilian jazz.

The event is co-produced by Congregation Ahavas Sholom/The Jewish Museum of New Jersey and New Jersey Performing Arts Center, in association with the Institute of Jazz Studies at Rutgers University-Newark and WBGO Jazz 88.3FM.

The exhibition opens on Sunday, Nov. 4 with a free reception from 2 to 4 p.m. in the gallery at Congregation Ahavas Sholom/The Jewish Museum of New Jersey, 145 Broadway. Performers include the Wells Fargo Jazz for Teens ensemble, led by saxophonist Mark Gross, NJPAC's Director of Jazz Instruction, as well as a dance duo. To register in advance, visit http://bit.ly/JazzAhavasSholom

The artists utilize photography, painting, drawing, collage and found objects to depict major influencers throughout the evolution of Latin jazz. They include: Gerardo Castro of Newburgh, N.Y.; Qaasim Munoz of Paterson; Beverly McCutcheon of East Orange; William W. May of Millville; Luis Alves and Nitza Tufiño, both of South Orange; Victoria Marin-Harrison of the Bronx, N.Y.; Mansa K. Mussa and Maria Luis Estrela, both of Newark; Ron Powell of Irvington; Michael Pared of Belleville; Danielle Scott of Jersey City; Ricardo Osmondo Francis and Carlos Mateu, both of Brooklyn, N.Y., and local artists Raul Castro-Cerrato and Antonio Porcar Cano.

Among the portraits on display is Michael Pared's study of Eddie Palmieri, constructed of found wood and yarn, which places the jazz pianist in the heart of Old San Juan. William W. May contributes a black and white photo he snapped of trumpeter Dizzy Gillespie in performance during the Seventies. Acclaimed collage artist Luis Alves takes a minimalist approach to his image of Cuban saxophonist Paquito D'Rivera. In addition, all of the artists will create an assemblage in an 8-by-8-inch wooden box that will be incorporated into "Latin Big Band," a sculptural piece.

Exhibit curator Mansa K. Mussa is a visual artist, arts educator and arts consultant who is best known as a documentary photographer and collagist. He performed on the concert dance stage for many years as a company member and soloist with a host of African dance companies, such as the Sulaimaan Dance Company, which he co-founded, and Umoja Dance Company.

Gallery hours are Sundays from 3 to 6 p.m. or by appointment; call (973) 669-4729 or (973) 485-2609. The show remains on view until Sunday, Jan. 27, 2019, when the artists gather for a closing reception and conversation with the public from 2 to 5 p.m. Parking is available on-site at Congregation Ahavas Sholom or nearby at Clinton Memorial A.M.E. Zion Church. The gallery is wheelchair accessible.

"Hosting this exhibit provides Ahavas Sholom and the Jewish Museum with an opportunity to further solidify our commitment to the arts and those who pursue it," said Eric Freedman, president of Ahavas Sholom. "Being located in a predominately Latino community, it seems most fitting and helps move us toward fulfilling our mission and aspirations to be a community resource for all."

A favorite activity with families, the "Jazz Collage Workshop" returns to Ahavas Sholom for the fourth year on Nov. 11, from noon to 3 p.m. Mansa K. Mussa teaches children how to create colorful collages inspired by jazz and its practitioners. To register in advance, visit bit.ly/JazzCollageWorkshop

A panel discussion also takes place at Ahavas Sholom on Sunday, Jan. 13, from 2 to 4 p.m. The talk commemorates the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.'s solidarity with Hispanic/Latin civil rights leaders, such as labor organizer Cesar Chavez.

"This Music We Call Jazz: The Latin Connection Exhibit" is being held in conjunction with NJPAC's TD James Moody Jazz Festival from Nov. 3-18. Celebrating its seventh year, the festival features performances by Los Temerarios, Dianne Reeves with Gregory Porter, Christian McBride, Marcus Miller with David Sanborn and Lalah Hathaway, Antonio Sánchez, Catherine Russell, the Count Basie Orchestra, Terri Lyne Carrington, Cécile McLorin Salvant and many other jazz greats.
One concert in particular, "Congas y Canto: An Evening of Latin Jazz" with Sheila E., Eddie Palmieri and Tito Rojas on Nov. 9, highlights the exciting marriage of Latin rhythm and jazz improvisation.

"Jazz and Latin music are key components of NJPAC's diverse programming, not just during the festival but year-round," said David Rodriguez, NJPAC's Executive Vice President and Executive Producer. "We're proud to celebrate that connection with the Jewish Museum of New Jersey, as well as through the programs presented in coordination with the TD James Moody Jazz Festival."

The TD James Moody Jazz Festival is sponsored by TD Bank, with support from WBGO, the Institute of Jazz Studies and NJSCA/Discover Jersey Arts.
Generous support is provided by ADP, official Community Engagement Partner of NJPAC.

For more information about jazz events at NJPAC, visit njpac.org/moodyjazz.